Minutes of ACF Meeting
Thursday, 17th July 2008

Southwick Green communal lounge, Southwick

Present: -  Wendy Farmer (Chair), Bridget Orman (Vice-chair & Secretary), Ruth Andrews (Treasurer), Bruce Andrews, Fred Bathurst, Rose Boden, Bill Bone, Keith Bones, Conny Fairclough, Paula Kinsella, Elsie Kitson, Bob McClelland, June Molton, Sylvia Page, Tania Page, Ron Pope, Brian Smith, Edna Wye.

• Welcome and introductions

Wendy welcomed everyone to the meeting.

• Apologies

Apologies were received from John Halls, Brian Higgins, Stan Reed and Barry Maxey (ADC).

3.         Minutes of previous meeting on 28th February 2008

The minutes were agreed.

4.         Matters arising

• Brian reported that the water butts were now in place at Marsh House but that the council had not yet been connected them to the rain water pipes.

• Ruth said there had been no progress with attempts to get the council to tidy up the Millennium Garden but that she will again contact Peter Jones (Grounds Maintenance Manager) about this.

• Bridget distributed copies of the latest statistics (up to June 2008) of cases of anti-social behaviour reported to the Local Offices. 

• Dates of future ACF meetings

Bridget circulated a schedule of council meetings for the next few months and it was agreed that future ACF meetings will take place in the week prior to meetings of the Cabinet.  The next few ACF meetings will be held on: -

18th September 2008                       20th November 2008            22nd January 2009                  19th February 2009                          26th March 2009

6.         Timing of AGM

It was suggested that members may wish to change the starting time of future Annual General Meetings, as it was felt by some that this year’s meeting was a little rushed.  However, some members felt that changing the time would create other problems, so after some discussion it was decided to keep the start time as 7.00pm.
7.        Treasurer’s report

The current bank balance stands at £2,536.16 with petty cash of £40.22.  Investigations into the possibility of changing to a different bank have identified drawbacks, so it was unanimously agreed to remain with Barclays plc.

8.        Environmental improvements fund

It was agreed that outline approval should be given to allocate funds to David Millard (Contract Monitoring Officer) where he identifies specific projects to improve areas around council properties.  This funding will be monitored on a monthly basis by the ACF Management Committee.

9.         Cabinet Agenda

      No papers were available for the meeting.

10.       Reports of the Sub-Committees

i)          Compact Monitoring Group
Council officers have suggested changes to the Compact based on the findings of the annual conference earlier in the year but a draft of the amended document has not yet been produced.

• The Forum

Bridget requested that residents’ associations and individuals send in their contributions no later than 23rd July.

• Adur Leaseholders’ Forum

ALF met on 16th July for their Annual General Meeting.  Bill said that bringing forward the time of their meetings to the afternoon had proved popular and that this change would now be retained.  

• SHARP

George said that he had been in contact with Sue Hart (Supported Housing Manager) about arranging a date for the next SHARP meeting and had agreed to hold one in a few weeks time.  He also remarked on the recent lunch for SHARP members at the airport and how much everyone enjoyed it.

• AiP

11.       Xmas social

A discussion took place about the venue for the next ACF Xmas gathering as the social club room at the Civic Centre is no longer a viable option.  Various alternatives were identified but no firm decision was made.  Bridget agreed to make some further enquiries and to report back to the next meeting.  
12.       Any other business

• George suggested that the ACF might want to hold another social event or meal, possibly in the New Year.
• Wendy has received an invitation from Worthing Homes to attend, on behalf of the ACF, the official opening of the new houses in Stoney Lane, Shoreham.
• Bruce said the statistics for people logging on to the ACF website are now recorded on the website.  
• The evening raffle raised £26.00 for ACF funds.

                 
13.       Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be held at 7pm on Thursday, 18th September 2008 at the Southwick Green communal lounge.