MEMBERS PRESENT
CRAWFORD POWNEY, CHAIRMAN
JEAN FISHPOOL, VICE CHAIRMAN
MARGARET VALLELEY, SECRETARY
MOLLY HODGES, TREASURER
DIANE HOWLS
CHRIS SANGSTER
KEN SANGSTER
PEGGY CAVANAGH
MENAI ROBERTS
LILLIAN JONES
MARY CARTWRIGHT
MR HAWKLEY
MARY WEST
SHIRLEY BALDWIN
JOHN HALFPENNY
BETTY MARCHANT
ROY ADAM
DAVID AYRES
NANCY EVANS
MR MCCABE
LESLEY BEEKS
GLORIA GODWIN
EDDIE CLARKE, HEREFORDSHIRE HOUSING

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed all members present. We have four new members attending this month welcomed, Mr. McCabe and Mr. Hawley from Horse Croft. Lesley Beeks of Innesfield, and Gloria Godwin of Richard Weaver Court.
APOLOGIES were from Lily Halfpenny, Creta Ashford, Marjorie French, Gordon Cartwright, Horace Walbyoff, Sally Smith and David Morris.

2. MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING
All members had received a copy of the minutes and they agreed they were a true record of the proceedings

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING
Eddie told the group that he had talked to the staff at the control centre. A tenant had been locked out for one and
half hours and the control centre had forgotten her. He told us that the control centre sent their apologies and that
the member of staff concerned had been reprimanded.

Supporting People.
Eddie reminded the group, that over the next year all wardens are doing a care plan with all their sheltered housing
tenants. A member told the group that her scheme had taken part in the pilot scheme and had found it ok.

The secretary had written to the taxi company concerning the poor service the group were experiencing. She told the group she had not received a reply. The group was handed a copy of that letter.

4. GUESTSPEAKER
Our guest this month was Lorraine Fewtrell, Officer for the homeless. She told the group she is responsible for the housing and gives advice for the homeless for Herefordshire Housing. There is a major problem in Herefordshire - both with the young and elderly. Anyone can become homeless. Private tenants are being given notice, because their landlords are taking advantage of the high house prices and are their properties.

Parental eviction. That is where the parents evict their children when they become a certain age. These are just a few examples. The biggest area is in domestic violence, and this includes both men and women. Lorraine says we have a duty under the Housing Act, Part 7, to re-house them all.

Home point at present have over 6000 plus on their waiting list and have not enough properties to cope. That's why we have to advise some of the homeless to rent privately.
All applicants are cautioned and advised that it is illegal to give false information. They can be fined £5000. Lorraine commented that we have actually taken one person to court for giving false information.
We, as an agent for the Council, take all the homeless into consideration. We have to report the figures of people moving in and out of Herefordshlre. This is a government requirement.

The Chairman thanked Lorraine for taking the time to come along and he said he had learned a great deal.

5. TREASURERS REPORT
After today's draw, and paying out for the advertisement of the A G M we have £236.21 in the fund.

6. TENANTS LIAISON MEETINGS

FOWBRIDGE
It was a very poor turnout. We are thinking of combining it with a coffee morning.

BALLINGER COURT
We are hoping to form a residents group. We have a meeting tonight.

7. CRAFT DA Y
Eddie told the group about a craft day which was held about ten years ago by the Council. It had been very successful and he asked whether the group thought it would be worthwhile holding another one? People came along to exhibit
their skills and he was astounded at the vast range of items on show.
SHTUG agreed and a date and venue is to be arranged at a later date.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

INNESFIELD
Weeds are growing in big tufts on the road and pavements.

SOUTHGATE COURT
The grass has not been cut at Southgate Court for five weeks.
Workmen started to upgrade our communal kitchen. They had only just started when they left it half done to upgrade tenant's properties. We were hoping to be able to use the communal facilities while work was being carried out.
Tenants are very stressed because they have nowhere to go. We need more consideration when dealing with the elderly.
Our communal washing machine has been out of order for some weeks. Several tenants had their washing spoilt.

HORSE CROFT
I moved my fridge freezer into the pantry and have to use an extension lead because there is no socket. Eddie is to make arrangements, for an extra electrical socket to be fitted.

FOWBRIDGE GARDENS
A tenant asked. What are the regulations regarding what you burn on coal fires?
Eddie explained that in the countryside there are no restrictions as to what you burn providing it's not deemed dangerous.

PENYARD GARDENS
There is a large problem with rats on our scheme. People are still putting out vast amounts of bread therefore encouraging rats.
The communal grass is only being cut every three weeks and they are not picking it up. The warden has
complained several times but nothing has been done.
Eddie, will look into it.

EDDIE
Herefordshire Housing is having an open day at its new head quarters in Legion Way. Perhaps two members would like to represent SHTUG.

A new cook has been appointed at Disraeli Court.

We have two Wardens off sick.


9. DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MONTHS MEETING

Our next meeting is the A.G.M. To be held at Herefordshire Housing Head Quarters at Legion Way, Off Roman Road, Hereford. HR1 1LN. On Thursday 7th October 2004 at 10:30am.

The Chairman then closed the meeting.