DERBY HOMES LIMITED MINUTES OF THE LOCAL HOUSING BOARD NORTH. Held on Thursday 11 May 2006

Transcription

1 Company Number A Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England DERBY HOMES LIMITED MINUTES OF THE LOCAL HOUSING BOARD NORTH The meeting started at 6.00 pm. Held on Thursday 11 May 2006 Local Housing Board Members Present Peter Berry, Sue Glithero, Bob Osler (Chair), Brian Perry, Margaret Redfern, Dennis Rees, Terry Rogerson, Reg Skerrett, Gwen Stubley, Wilf Upton Officers Present Shaun Bennett, Murray Chapman, Maureen Davis, Maria Murphy, Jackie Mitchell, Theresa Whyte Observers Sharon Breen, Keith Merry, Selig Nesbitt, Pat Hulland, B Cooney, Samantha Wright Derwent Community Team Krissi Spinoza 06/46 Apologies Apologies for absence were received from Chaz Bennett, Gary Featherstone and Derek Teece. 06/47 Admission of Late Items The Chair admitted a late report on Update on Grounds Maintenance Re- Tender. 06/48 Declarations of Any Other Business Margaret Redfern requested information about the Council s Housing Allocation Policy and why copies of the policy are not provided with the application for housing form. The Local Board was advised that copies of policy was available on request. However, copies of the policy had run out and have not been reprinted because the Council is reviewing the policy. Page 1 of 8 1

2 06/49 Declarations of Interest The two Council Board Members were noted as declaring their interest in matters relating to Derby City Council. The two Tenant Board Member declared their interests as tenants (as defined in the Memorandum and Articles of Association) of Derby City Council. 06/50 Minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2006 The minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2006 were accepted as a true and accurate record. 06/51 Matters arising Minute 05/59 Community Panel Issues: Mackworth & Morley Steve Humenko has provided Terry Rogerson with information on window installation at Mackworth. Minute 06/27 Community Panel Issues: Fire Exits at Flats An article on fire precautions in blocks of flats is to appear in the next edition of Derby Homes News. Minute 06/33 Changes to Conditions of Tenancy Use of Laminate Flooring in Flats The Local Boards will receive a further report in July. Minute 06/41 Sheltered Housing Core Group SHOUT has decided that they do not require an observers, as members of the Group already sit on the Local Boards. 06/52 Questions from members of the public There were no questions from members of the public. 06/53 Community Panel Issues At the last meeting, Community Panel representatives were asked to provide suggestions and comment on anti social behaviour problems affecting gardens, noise, and nuisance youths in their area. Chaddesden Links Keith Merry advised Oakleigh Avenue: wheelchair users were unable to get down the ramps, and dustbins were being left out, causing an obstruction. Chaddesden Park: park rangers were concerned about motorbike riders riding in the park and dog fouling. The concerns about motorbike riders had been reported to the Police. Page 2 of 8 2

3 Maureen Davis said that she was not aware of these concerns but would follow them up with the Police. Bob Osler referred an item in the minutes of a recent Panel meeting regarding sound insulation in the Gregory flats where some of the tenants had refused to have the work carried out. Shaun Bennett advised that the impact of the work was currently being analysed and he would ask Andy Higginbottom to provide the Panel with an update. Riverside West Brian Perry advised Rebecca House a bench on the street was attracting youths Rivermead House- youths playing football (no ball games sign is being erected) ASB members of the public are using communal areas as short cuts, etc and should be advised that these areas are not public open spaces. Shaun Bennett to look at the possibility of using Estates Pride funding for environmental improvements, as a solution to this problem. Derby Leaseholders Association Wilf Upton had no issues to report. Morley/Mackworth Terry Rogerson advised Gardens this issue had been picked up through estate walkabouts Grass cutting operatives were not strimming and blowing grass away, hedges were not being cut properly Theft hanging baskets had been stolen and reported to the Police Bob Osler referred to the minutes of the April Panel meeting and Gwen Stubley advised the Panel had raised funds to provide benches and ecobins for the local schools. Dennis Rees advised that is front door had not been provided with a letterbox, although the work to the porch had been completed. He felt there had been a lack of communication and Shaun Bennett agreed to look into this case and update Dennis. Peter Berry suggested that the Police should be invited to attend a Local Board meeting. The Chair requested Local Board members to make suggestions on what issues they would like raised with the Police, to Jackie Mitchell. Page 3 of 8 3

4 Bob Osler advised that the minutes of the April Derwent community panel meeting had reported that a bid to Derwent Community Team for fencing in the area had been turned down. The Local Board was advised that tenants with any issues about fencing should contact their local office. Margaret Redfern advised that the Panel was experiencing low membership and had problems putting their CHIP bid together. The issue will be discussed at their AGM. 06/54 Caretaking Review The Local Board received a presentation on the review of the caretaking Service. Wilf Upton raised a concern about Leylandi trees in Beeches Avenue. Maureen Davis advised that she would arrange for the Local Office to take action on this. Terry Rogerson queried cleaning of windows at sheltered schemes. He was advised that caretakers only undertake this task where there is no cleaning contract in place. Gwen Stubley asked why the management of caretakers was now provided by one manager. She was advised this was to ensure a consistent approach and that resources were correctly co-ordinated and managed. Peter Berry raised the issue of fly tipping and suggested that Derby Homes and the Council need to deal with this in a unified way. Margaret Redfern requested that the removal of fridges and washing machines should be given priority as they provided a hazard to children. Maria Murphy advised that an article in Derby Homes News had been recently published on this issue and the Neighbourhood Unit will be issuing information on it as well. Reg Skerrett said it was tenants and private occupiers dumping rubbish and he had concerns that it would attract rats and foxes. Brian Perry requested that a timetable be published so tenants would know when the caretaker was working in their particular zone. Bob Osler advised that information would be available once the grounds maintenance contract was up and running. Sue Glithero queried the structure for the NEAT team. She was advised that Derby Homes was looking to develop a similar but less intensive structure. Page 4 of 8 4

5 The Local Board noted the presentation and requested an update in six months time. 06/55 Update on Grounds Maintenance Re-Tender The Local Board received an update on the retender process for the grounds maintenance service. The Local Board noted the report and that a report would be brought back to a future meeting on the appointment of the contractor for grounds maintenance. 06/56 Morley and Mackworth CHIP 2006/7 Croydon Walk/Finchley Avenue The Local Board received a report on proposals to change an area of land identified in the report at Croydon Walk/Finchley Avenue into either car parking or a new build site. Consultation on the proposal is still ongoing and the Local Board was advised that would be kept informed of progress. The Local Board noted and supported the option to reduce the site for new build, subject to planning approval and consultation with the Council. The Local Board noted that if this was not possible then the option to create a car parking area will be carried out. 06/57 Policy for Garaging/Storing Motorised Scooters for Disabled People in Derby Homes Category 2 Sheltered Schemes The Board considered an update report on the research into issues arising from the use and storage of motorised scooters by disabled people living in sheltered housing schemes. The Local Board 1. recommended to the Council the alteration of tenancy conditions to prohibit the use of motorised scooters within the interior of Category 2 schemes, with immediate effect for all new tenants. Existing tenants will be affected by the new condition following the provision of suitable external facilities for storage. Page 5 of 8 5

6 2. noted that a review of other sheltered schemes on a scheme by scheme basis would be carried out and that detailed proposals would be submitted to a future meeting. 3. requested clarification at the next meeting on Derby Homes liability in the event of a fire in schemes were scooters are stored Information on any discrimination to disabled tenants affected by the proposal. 06/58 Extension to Permit Parking Scheme in Centurian Walk, Henry Street, Elm Street and Uttoxeter Old Road Car Parks The Local Board considered a report on proposals to improve control over parking at Centurian Walk, Henry Street, Elm Street and Uttoxeter Old Road car parks. The Local Board approved 1. the introduction of permit parking systems at Centurian Walk, Henry Street, Elm Street and Uttoxeter Old Road car parks 2. the appointment of Vehicle Control Services Ltd to implement the services. 06/59 Community Panel Representatives Update The Local Board received an update report on its membership. The Local Board noted the report and requested a report be brought to the next meeting on the full membership of the Local Housing Board North, following community panel AGMs. 06/60 Request for Use of Mobile Phones The Local Board received a report requesting that Local Board representatives be provided with the use of a mobile phone. The Local Board noted the main Board s decision that 1. Board members facilities are not extended to Local Housing Board Page 6 of 8 6

7 representatives at the present time 2. a further review of facilities for main Board members and Local Housing Board representatives will be undertaken in /61 Petition Lees Brook House The Local Board received a report on a petition opposing youths socialising and vandalizing property in the car park area of Lees Brook House. The report advised of the action taken to resolve the issues raised in the petition. The Local Board noted the report. 06/62 Derby Homes Performance Monitoring and Homes Pride Update The Local Board received information summarising performance in key service areas. It was noted that the report did not contain dates against week numbers and comparative information requested at the last meeting. The Local Board was advised this would be rectified for the next report. The Local Board noted the report. 06/63 City Housing Improvement Plan North The Local Board received a report on the progress of projects authorised under the City Housing Improvement Plan in the North of the City. The Local Board noted the report and requested information on work outstanding and carried forward, at its next meeting. 06/64 Derwent New Deal Housing Update The Local Board received an update report on current news and initiatives in partnership with the Derwent Community Team. Page 7 of 8 7

8 The Local Board noted the report. 06/65 Draft Minutes of the Derby Homes Board 30 March 2006 The Local Board received the draft minutes of the Derby Homes Board meeting held on 30 March The Local Board noted the draft minutes of the Derby Homes Board meeting held on 30 March /66 Any other business Derby Homes Audit Commission Inspection Everyone involved in the Inspection process was thanked for their work in Derby Homes obtaining 3 stars. Spondon Community Panel The Spondon Community Panel was thanked for their work for the Easter Parade. BT Phone Boxes/Royal Mail Post Boxes The Council is taking up with BT and Royal Mail proposals to remove/resite phone and mail boxes. Date of next meeting The next meeting will be held on Thursday 6 July 2006 at 6.00 pm at Cardinal Square. The meeting ended at 8.00 pm.. CHAIR Signed as true and accurate record of the meeting held on 11 May Page 8 of 8 8