Minutes of ACF AGM
Civic Centre
Thursday, 12th August 2010

Present: - Wendy Farmer (Chair), Bruce Andrews, Ruth Andrews, Fred Bathurst, Rose Boden, Bill Bone, David Donaldson, David Guy, William Guy, Gary Hackett, Paula Kinsella, Elsie Kitson, Sue Lane, Richard Letchford, Bob McClelland, June Moulton, Len Nye, Marice Nye, Bridget Orman, Sylvia Page, Tania Page, Ron Pope, Linda Price and Ann Seldon.

ADC: - Barry Maxey and Sue Tubb.

Adur D.C. staff and councillors were invited to a social gathering following the AGM.

1. Welcome

Wendy Farmer welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from Tony Morris.

3. Minutes of 2009 AGM and matters arising

The minutes were agreed.

• The Millennium Garden is being maintained by Greenscape but the bed needs some additional low maintenance plants to fill the empty spaces. It was agreed to get an estimate for this from Dave Millard.
• Democratic Services have agreed that the ACF may nominate a reserve member to sit on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in case their first choice representative is unable to attend.

4. Chair's report

Wendy thanked all ACF members for their support and for their continued attendance at meetings and on training courses. She also singled out Bridget for particular thanks for all of the time and hard work that she has put in on behalf of the ACF. Wendy said the past year has again been very quiet, although the council say the ACF are still being consulted on all housing matters. There are, however, important local and national issues coming up in the next year, including the future of the Local Offices and changes in the security of tenure for council tenants.

5. Secretary's report

Bridget said it had been great working with everyone again over the past year and thanked them for their help.

6. Treasurer's report

Ruth distributed copies of the balance sheet to 31st July 2010, which showed total funds of £2,330.17. She said the ACF do not do much in the way of fund-raising but with council cuts in the pipeline, this may be something that needs to be looked at.

7. Changes to the ACF constitution

There were no proposals to change the constitution.
8. Election of ACF Officers and Committees

Chair: Wendy Farmer proposed by Ann Seldon seconded by Sue Lane

There were no other nominations. Wendy was re-elected unanimously.

Vice-Chair: Paula Kinsella proposed by Wendy Farmer seconded by Bob McClelland

There were no other nominations. Paula was re-elected unanimously.

Secretary: Bridget Orman proposed by Elsie Kitson seconded by David Guy

There were no other nominations. Bridget was re-elected unanimously.

Treasurer: Ruth Andrews proposed by David Guy seconded by Paula Kinsella

There were no other nominations. Ruth was re-elected unanimously.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee rep:

Tony Morris proposed by David Guy
seconded by Fred Bathurst

Tony had previously agreed to be nominated in his absence and there were no other nominations. Tony was re-elected unanimously.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee reserve rep:

David Guy proposed by Sue Lane
Seconded by Fred Bathurst

There were no other nominations. David was elected unanimously.

ACF Management Committee: This committee consists of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and four other full members:

Tony Morris proposed by Wendy Famer
seconded by Paula Kinsella

Elsie Kitson proposed by Wendy Farmer
seconded by Paula Kinsella

Richard Letchford proposed by Paula Kinsella
seconded by Wendy Farmer

David Guy proposed by Fred Bathurst
seconded by Paula Kinsella

There were no other nominations. Tony, Elsie, Richard and David were elected unanimously.

Adur in Partnership (AiP) rep:

Ruth Andrews proposed by Wendy Farmer
seconded by Paula Kinsella

There were no other nominations. Ruth was re-elected unanimously.

Compact Monitoring Group: This group is made up of tenants, leaseholders, council officers and councillors. Five tenant and leaseholder volunteers were sought.

Six members - Richard Letchford, Paula Kinsella, Bridget Orman, Wendy Farmer, Ruth Andrews and Elsie Kitson - offered to serve on this group.

A secret ballot was held in which members were asked to choose five people from this list. Wendy and Paula each received 17 votes, Ruth 16, Bridget 15 and Richard and Elsie 9 each. A second ballot was then held between the two who came joint fifth and Elsie was elected by 11 votes to 7.

Elected: Ruth Andrews, Wendy Farmer, Paula Kinsella, Elsie Kitson and Bridget Orman.

Forum: Bruce Andrews, Ruth Andrews, Rose Boden, Wendy Farmer, Gary Hackett, Paula Kinsella, Sue Lane and Bridget Orman volunteered and were elected to sit on the editorial panel.

9. Any other business

• Bruce said any information for the ACF website www.adurconsultativeforum.org.uk would be more than welcome and can be sent either to him, Wendy or Barry. Ruth suggested that Bruce should give a report on all updates to the website at the following ACF meeting.
• Richard asked how much money the ACF receives from the council and whether this is ring-fenced or at risk of being cut. Barry explained that budgets to cover all tenant participation activities are allocated each year and are funded from the Housing Revenue Account. He said he didn't have the amounts of these budgets to hand but could supply them to Richard.
• Richard also queried what the ACF was doing to try to make it more representative of all council tenants (e.g. by attracting younger people etc.) Members said they welcomed any new initiatives but those that have been tried in the past (e.g. articles in the Forum, direct marketing of younger tenants etc.) had not been very successful. Bruce suggested making more use of the website and other forms of new technology could encourage wider involvement.
• Linda gave details of a neighbour who was having difficulty with her accommodation. Barry said it was difficult to deal with individual queries at an AGM and suggested she encourage her neighbour to contact the ACF Office direct if she wants them to take up this issue.
• The evening raffle raised £39 for ACF funds.