Minutes of ACF Meeting
Civic Centre
Thursday, 2nd September 2010

Present: - Bruce Andrews, Ruth Andrews, Fred Bathurst, Rose Boden, Bill Bone, Lisa Cook, Dave Donaldson, Wendy Farmer, David Guy, Gary Hackett, Brian Higgins, Paula Kinsella, Elsie Kitson, Richard Letchford, Sue Lane, Bob McClellan, Alison Morganfield, June Moulton, Bridget Orman, Ann Seldon and Barry Maxey (ADC).

• Welcome and introductions

Wendy welcomed everyone to the meeting.

• Apologies

Apologies were received from William Guy, Sylvia Page and Tania Page. 

• Minutes of the last meeting 8th July 2010

The minutes were agreed.

4.         Matters arising

• Paula said she had discussed with Charlie Strong (Maintenance Manager) the issue about date stickers not being put on gas appliances after servicing and he has raised this with the contractors.  The gas servicing and maintenance contracts are currently in the process of being re-tendered.
• There will be no change in the frequency that rent statements are sent to tenants.

5.         Bids for environmental improvement grants

There were no bids.  A discussion followed about whether it would be appropriate to reduce the budget for this grant but it was agreed that ACF members would use this opportunity to identify projects in their areas that could benefit from this funding.    

6.         Treasurer’s report

There is £2,319.10 in the bank account.

7.         Local Offices

The report to Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the future of the Local Offices had previously been circulated.  There was agreement that the ACF would oppose the proposed closure of the Local Offices.  While the current financial difficulties of the council are recognised, it was felt that this action is treating customers shabbily.

The proposal to have only one drop-in session per week for two hours at each of the sites was criticised as being too limited and it was argued that suitable local alternatives had not been put in place, as agreed at the Joint Cabinet meeting last November.

Concerns were also highlighted about the lack of face-to-face contact with staff, difficulties with Pay Point (including having no outlets in Fishersgate) and the extra cost for people having to travel to the Civic Centre (e.g. for door entry keys and garden sacks).

The issue of what would happen to the ACF resource centre if the Southwick Office was closed was also discussed.  Some people felt that as the ACF has an office in council property, it is already regarded by many as being part of the council and that it would be seen as  more independent if it was based in a high street shop.  The pros and cons of using the Lancing Local Office as a base were debated but it was decided that the discussions on this should be put on hold until the future of the Local Offices is decided.

This matter will be decided at the Cabinet meeting in the Civic Centre on 21st September at 7.00pm.  Members were encouraged to attend if they wish to make their views known.                    

8.         Election of ACF representative for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee

            Following the resignation of Tony Morris from the ACF, there is now a vacancy for an ACF representative to discuss housing matters on the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.    The nominations were: -

Dave Donaldson - nominated by Sue and seconded by Richard. 
Paula Kinsella – nominated by Lisa and seconded by Wendy.

In a show of hands, there were nine votes for Dave and six votes for Paula, so Dave was elected.  

9.     Reports of committees

i)          Compact Monitoring Group

It has been decided to invite the Senior Building Surveyor to the next meeting.  The Decent Homes programme will be one of the items under discussion, so if anyone has any questions they would like raised they should contact Barry.

• The Forum

Members liked the new look of the Forum but Richard asked if abbreviations (e.g. TPAS) could be avoided.

• Adur Leaseholders’ Forum (ALF)

Bill announced that he stood down as Chair of ALF at their last meeting and that Kevin Davis has been elected as his replacement.  Bill said that he will continue to attend ALF meetings and offer support wherever possible.  The next meeting is at 2.15pm on Wednesday, 3rd November at the ACF Office.

On behalf of the ACF, Wendy presented Bill with a card and gift voucher in recognition of his contribution to the group.

• AiP

Waves Ahead has produced a new information booklet about local services that was circulated during the meeting.  Copies of this are available from the Civic Centre and local libraries.

v)         SHARP

A sub-committee of SHARP has drawn up a satisfaction survey for sheltered housing residents that will be discussed at their next meeting on 7th September.  They also plan to invite the manager of the Community Alarm Centre to a future meeting.

10.      Meeting with new contractors

            Several new maintenance contracts are due to start in October and the ACF have been asked if they would like to meet representatives from the new contractors.  This offer was welcomed and it was suggested that an initial meeting be arranged for the end of October, with possibly a follow-up meeting in the spring to review progress.

11.       Any Other Business

• Following the success of last year’s ACF Christmas party, it was agreed to hold it again this year at the Southwick Community Centre.  The Social Committee formed last year will again take responsibility for organising this.
• Ann asked whether the wheelie bins at Pashley Court could be cleaned and was advised to contact the Housing Management Officer to discuss this.
• Following a question from Richard, the role of the Management Committee was explained.  A date for the next Management Committee meeting hasn’t been decided yet but it was emphasised that any member of that committee can ask for a meeting to be called if there is an issue they would like discussed.
• Wendy raised the question about the role of owner occupiers and private tenants in residents’ associations in regard to funding from the Housing Revenue Account.  After some debate, it was agreed to hold this over until the next meeting when sufficient time will be allocated for a full discussion on the matter.
• The evening raffle raised £29.00 for ACF funds.

14.       Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be held at 7.00pm on Thursday, 11th November 2010 (venue to be decided).