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Minutes of ACF Meeting
Present: - Wendy Farmer (Chair), Bridget Orman (Vice-chair & Secretary), Bruce Andrews, Ruth Andrews, Fred Bathurst, Rose Boden, Bill Bone, Basil Canivet, Brian Higgins, Sue Holland, Paula Kinsella, Elsie Kitson, Sue Lane, Bob McClellan and Edna Wye. ADC: Alex Marsh (Tenancy Services Manager) and Barry Maxey (Tenant Participation Officer). 1. Welcome and introductions Wendy welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2. Apologies Apologies were received from George Jones, Tony Morris, June Moulton, Sylvia Page, Tanya Page and Stan Reed. 3. Tenancy issues – Alex Marsh i) Conditions of Tenancy The Conditions of Tenancy are being updated to take account of changes in legislation and the introduction of Supporting People charges and Demoted and Introductory Tenancies. While the council has discretion over some of these conditions, others are dictated by law or are laid down by the Office of Fair Trading. • Pets – Alex agreed to look at ways of controlling animals being bred in flats. She also said she would review the requirement for tenants to get written permission from the council if they wish to keep more than one cat or dog in a house. • Aerials – the number of satellite dishes on blocks of flats was highlighted and the council’s enforcement of this clause was questioned. Brian confirmed that at Pashley Court, all satellite dishes have now been removed as part of the contract to install new television receiver equipment and it is assumed that similar action will take place across the district. Alex agreed to find out if there are any plans in the near future to upgrade the aerials at sheltered housing schemes. • Fencing – questions were asked about the council’s responsibility to provide fencing between properties. Alex said the council will only mark the boundary between council and neighbouring properties and will not install or repair any form of fencing. ii) Tenancy audit It’s a Condition of Tenancy that a tenant occupies their property as their only or principal home. To check that properties are not being occupied illegally, the Audit Commission consider it good practice for the landlord to carry out a random audit. This will involve housing staff visiting properties, particularly those where no repairs have been requested over the past year, to establish that the correct tenants are in residence. A question was asked about whether this would be used to check on Housing Benefit fraud. Alex said that this was not the primary intention of the audit but that if officers suspect fraud as a result of a visit, they have a duty to pass on their concerns to the relevant department. She also agreed to look at the wording of the procedures to ensure that introductory and demoted tenancies are also covered by the audit. iii) Anti-social behaviour cases Alex gave an update on action that has been taken recently by the council against people responsible for anti-social behaviour. In one particularly serious case, the council obtained an immediate injunction against the offender and seven neighbours provided witness statements for the court. This resulted in the court granting a Suspended Possession Order and ordering a two year injunction against the tenant, with power of arrest if it is breached. The court action took five months to complete but has led to the implementation of better procedures for protecting witnesses. In another example involving drug use, noise nuisance and intimidation of neighbours by a tenant and her friends and family, the council has obtained an injunction and is pursuing a Possession Order against the tenant. Alex was thanked for her updates and for coming along to answer questions. She then left the meeting at this point. 4. Minutes of the last meeting 26th March 2009 The minutes were agreed. 5. Matters arising There were no matters arising. 6. Treasurer’s report Ruth reported that there has been no change in ACF funds since the last meeting. 7. Bids for environmental improvements There were no bids for environmental improvements grants. Sue Lane said that residents of Tollbridge House who take care of some areas of the gardens have an issue about taking away garden waste. She also said that there are areas that are not being looked after by anyone. Barry was asked to look at the gardening contract to see what is included and to report back to the ACF. 8. Cabinet Agenda Item 6: Adur Homes Capital Investment Programme 2009/10 & 2010/11 The report was noted. This led to a wider discussion about the Decent Homes/Capital Investment Programme across the district and whether a more detailed programme for individual areas could be made available to tenants and leaseholders. 9. Election of ACF Advisor to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Paula announced that she is standing down from her role as ACF advisor due to personal circumstances. Tony Morris, who was unable to attend the meeting, had previously expressed a willingness to take on the role. He was therefore elected unopposed, having been nominated by Bruce and seconded by Sue Lane. 10. Reports of the Sub-Committees i) Compact Monitoring Group The changes requested by the ACF at the last meeting have been implemented in the revised Compact and copies have been delivered to all tenants and leaseholders. ii) The Forum A summer edition of the newsletter is being planned in place of the delayed Easter publication.
Bill reported that Kate Routley, Leasehold Property Administrator, attended their last meeting on 3rd June, where she more than capably answered questions on a range of topics. The next ALF meeting on 15th July 2009 will be the AGM and will be held at the ACF Office at 2.15pm. iv) AiP Ruth said she was acting Chair for the last AiP meeting where the topic of fuel poverty was discussed, with particular emphasis on energy wasted by domestic users. She also stated the results of ballots for the Chair and Vice-chair of AiP will be announced on 15th June. 11. Any Other Business • Edna asked which department is responsible for the benches on Southwick Green as they need repainting. Barry to enquire. • Rose stated that the path that runs behind the houses in Whitelot Close is overgrown with weeds and vegetation. • She also said she was having difficulty getting her shed door replaced and that this should have been done when contractors were cleaning and decorating the outsides of their properties recently. Barry to look into this. • Bruce asked whether the potholes on the entrance road to the Whitelot Close garage compound were going to be repaired. Bridget said she hadn’t heard any news on this and that as far as she is aware, the council are still looking into ownership of the land. • Bruce also asked if a meeting of the ACF social committee could be arranged. Bridget to contact those involved. • A meeting between the ACF and Adur Homes’ contractors is being arranged and Barry suggested arranging this for one afternoon between on 21st – 23rd July. Wendy to confirm the preferred date. • The evening raffle raised £17.00 for ACF funds. 12. Date of next meeting The next meeting will be the AGM and will be held at the Civic Centre on Thursday, 9th July 2009 at 7.00pm.
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