Minutes of Executive Meeting

Monday 7 June 2010

in

Dundee Federation of Tenants Associations Meeting Room

Present:

          1.  Welcome:

    Rena welcomed everyone to the meeting  

    Apologies:

   Robert Law        Whorterbank Area Residents Association

   Bill Jordan           Independent – Broughty Ferry Road

   Lana Coffey        St Mary’s Residents & Tenants Association

  Margaret Scott  Mill O’ Mains Tenants & Residents Association

    2.  Minutes of Last Meeting & Matters Arising:

    Minutes of 17 May 2010 passed by Morag and seconded by Rita

    Matters Arising

Page 3 - Any Other Competent Business – Forthill - it was reported that the Notice Board had been found and will be repositioned and cemented in.

 3.      Update – Focus Group & Repairs Development Team (RDT)

Update Sheet attached.

Elements of Open Space Maintenance was discussed at the RDT. The new grass cutters were discussed and it was requested that information should be obtained regarding the result of the trials.

4.      Scottish Social Charter Meeting

Kirsty Wells, Independent Advisor from Tenants Information Service gave a presentation on 19 May 2010.

Key Issues for Tenants –

§         The Housing (Scotland ) Bill should go further to include duties to involve tenants in preparing the Charter; in developing improvement plans; and when inquiries are carried out

§         More information needed on how the Regulator’s new powers will work in practice

§         National and local outcomes may be different - how will they be regulated?

§         Tenant participation needs to be national outcome

§         Support and funding for tenants to participate

Will the Social Charter deliver improvements to housing services and standards? - It is difficult to determine at this stage.

Will the Charter give tenants more influence?

§         It should do, as tenants are involved in its construction

§         Regulator’s duty to consult & involve tenants in performance of its functions

§         Tenants given new rights to bring their concerns to Regulator

§         However, tenants need to take up the opportunities offered

           5.  Diary Dates for June:

6.       Correspondence

§         Dundee City Council – Gas Safety Policy

§         Repairs Partnership Board – Agenda & Minutes

§         Dundee City Council – Letting Standard – Briefing on Policy for Recharging for Repairs

§         Tenant Participation Strategy Monitoring Group – Agenda & Minutes

§         The Scottish Government – Housing  - Fresh Thinking, New Ideas

§         The Scottish Government – Eviction of Tenants in the Social Rented Sector

§         Tenants Information Service – SHQS Update

 7.   Any Other Competent Business:

§         It was suggested that it is important that all the Executive Committee attend the next Focus Group on 10 June 2010.

§         Stewart Steen will be invited to attend the next Executive Committee after the AGM

§         The Day Away was discussed and prices will be sourced.

§         Jim Fenton has requested a meeting regarding Sheltered Housing Review  – 24 June, am was suggested.

§         Joint Conference – 20 June 2010. There will be 4/5 breakout sessions and volunteers for registration and scribes were requested.

§         Kitchen and Bathrooms – decoration after completion of work. 

It was reported that decorating will be carried out by Dundee City Council if-

o       Tenant is on DLA

o       Tenant is on DLA and an additional person is living in property who is not receiving DLA

But, if there is a joint tenancy where one tenant received DLA and the other does not – they will not get and decorating carried out after the work.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING:     28 June 2010

For information  -

ASB -               Anti Social Behaviour

DCC –               Dundee City Council

DCS –               Dundee Contract Services

DFTA –             Dundee Federation of Tenants Associations

HRA -               Housing Revenue Account

RTO -                Registered Tenants Organisation