Minutes

1. Welcomes and Introductions
Richard Hancock opened the meeting and welcomed all members present. He also welcomed Jim Russell (Housing Manager) who was attending his second SHTUG meeting.

2. Minutes of last meeting
Richard apologised to anyone who did not receive a copy of the
minutes for the last meeting. He also apologised for spelling errors in the minutes, this was due to the Secretary having an eye operation on the day of the meeting and Richard did not check the minutes correctly.

The minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting

3. Matters arising from previous meeting
a. Unanswered Alarm Calls: Mary West informed the meeting that she had received a letter from Nikki Gough following the concerns she had raised at the last meeting - This matter has now been resolved.

b. Calor Gas Heating: Jim reported that providing Calor Gas heaters on sheltered schemes as an emergency back up in times of prolonged power cuts was not an ideal option due to health and safety regulations. He would look into finding a better way to resolving the problem. Richard suggested that his team together with the SHTUG group could work together on the problem and try to agree a procedure that could be incorporated into the Tenant Participation Compact for Sheltered Accommodation that the Group is working on.

c.Innesfield: Jim reported that Tim Bray had informed him that there was already access from pavement to road for wheel chairs. Lilian said that there needed to be more. Jim will look again at this problem and report to the next meeting.

d. Churchcroft: Mr. Hince's complaint has yet to be resolved. Jim said that he would look into this.

e. Barklie Court: Work still to be carried out regarding the cutting back of shrubs. Jim said it is on the winter program for Parks.

f. Richard Weaver Court: The on-going problem with slippery floor surfaces is being monitored.

4. Tenant Participation Compact Sub-Group
Jean reported that the Sub-Group have had two very good meetings and several issues had been raised one being that some tenants object to Wardens having keys to their homes. Most members accepted that in times of emergency it was essential that Wardens have keys to ensure that helped reaches tenants without delay.

5. Sheltered Scheme Quarterly Liaison Meetings
Richard asked the meeting how they felt their scheme liaison meetings were working. There seemed to be a mixed response with some meetings not being called regularly and tenants receiving little notice of some meetings.
The group agreed the following procedures for liaison meetings:

. Each scheme should have regular quarterly meetings

. Minutes to be distributed to each tenant shortly following the meetings

. Another copy of the minutes to be given to each tenant at least 1 week before the next meeting to remind them to attend

. Notices advertising the meetings will be put on the schemes notice board at least 1 week prior to a meeting

. Liaison group meetings should not be arranged on the same day as the SHTUG meetings (First Thursday of the month)

. Each SHTUG member should try and get their fellow tenants to attend their own liaison meeting

. Wardens should actively encourage tenants to attend their Liaison meeting

Richard and Jim explained that a lot of the items brought up at the
SHTUG meetings should be addressed at the Liaison meetings or reported directly to Herefordshire Housing ie. repairs, neighbour nuisance, garden issues. If they are not dealt with, then they should be reported to SHTUG. It is important that the liaison meetings work correctly and sheltered tenants recognise this and feel that it is important to attend them.

6. Any Other Business:

a. Brierley Court: Mrs Cartwright asked if it would be possible to install a lift on the Court. Jim said he would check to see if it was possible.

b. Barklie Court: Mary West said that her letterbox was very noisy. Jim said he would see what could be done.

c. Smallbrook Gardens: Details were given to Jim regarding a tenant who needs to have a door lock replaced.

d. Innesfield: Lillian asked if anything could be done regarding the bad lighting on the site. Jim will look into this.

e. Ballinger Court: Ongoing problem of low dim lights in car park. This complaint goes back to the winter of 2001. Also uneven paving slabs by assessment area making it dangerous for walking and impossible for
wheelchairs. Mud and leaves lie between slabs making it very slippery at times. Jim will look at these problems

f. Fowbridge Gardens: Jean asked for trees to be cut back that are obstructing the view to the main road. Jim will check.

g. Liaison with Social Workers
Mr Hince said that he and his wife had been helping a neighbour, who has a bad back problem, and found themselves in a difficult situation when a social worker became involved and they did not know if their help was still required. They realise that there has to be confidentiality between Social Workers and Wardens but it seems that when some Social workers come on site they do not even inform the Wardens.

h. Nikki Gough
Jim said Nikki sent her thanks for the Card and Flowers that she received from the group.

i. David Ayres
On hearing that David was in Hospital the entire Group wished him a speedy recovery. A get-well card will be sent on behalf of the Group.

7. Christmas Lunch
Richard adjourned the meeting for the group to attend the Christmas Lunch that Jean had organised.

After the Lunch Richard thanked Jean for the wonderful Christmas lunch she had organised. She really did the group proud with decorated tables, crackers, candles and excellent food.

Also the group thanked Sheila and Derek Neville for providing the wine and last but not least, thanks to Jean's little helpers.

8. Date and venue for next meeting.
February 6th at Barklie Court starting at 10.30am.