MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPEY COAST TENANTS' FORUM HELD ON THURSDAY 28^th JUNE 2008 IN BUCKIE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL AT 7.30.P.M.

PRESENT ;
Harry Walton: Chair-person

Annie Cowie: Treasurer.

Jean Walton: Secretary

Stella Clark.

Vivian Smith

Patricia Beattie.

Pearl Mann.

Robert Hay

David L Wood.

Ron Shepherd: The Moray Council

Joe Mackay: The Moray Council

Sandra Fraser: The Moray Council

Sarah Cowie: The Moray Council.

1.    Welcome

Harry Walton welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.    Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Bill Smith, Gilbert Grant, Helen Milne and George MacIntyre.

3.    Minutes of Meeting held on 29 May 2008.

The Minutes were adopted as a correct record of the Meeting subject to the under-noted amendments.

Patricia Beattie stated that she had never put her name forward for the Buckpool Walkabout.  Jean Walton advised this was a mistake and Pearl Mann's name should have been put forward.

Patricia Beattie referred to the problem in Castlehill Lane, Fochabers and said this was overhanging branches and not rubbish.

Proposed for adoption :  Annie Cowie,

Seconded : Stella Clark.

4.    Matters Arising.

No matters arising were brought forward.

5.    Secretary's Report.

Jean Walton advised no correspondence had been received and then referred to the proposed computer training.  Gillian Bailey had been contacted had confirmed that she would be prepared to do a basic training course, possibly September/October.  If the Milton Drive facility was not available, it would be possible to use the Library in Buckie. Jean Walton asked for names of people who would be interested so that this could be organised.

Members interested are Harry Walton; Bill and Vivian Smith; Helen Milne; Annie Cowie and David Wood.

It was agreed that Gillian Bailey should be invited to the September meeting to discuss this matter further.

6. Treasurer's Report

Annie Cowie advised that the balance of the account now stood at £254.8p.  It was noted that no correspondence had been received regarding the application for funding for 2008.

7.    Tenants Conference.

It was noted that the application form for attendance would be in the new edition of "The Voice".    Jean Walton confirmed that the day was free and anyone attending could claim expenses.

The draft programme was circulated for information.

8. Local Area Committees

The document had been circulated to all members of the Forum and comments had been requested with feedback being sent to Moray Council by Friday 29 August 2008.

Stella Clark stated she was concerned that the document read that the Committee would be made up of Councillors.   Ron Shepherd advised that the Committee would be chaired by a Councillor, but that local representatives would also be members, i.e. Spey Coast Tenants Forum would be able to nominate a member to serve on the Committee.  Stella Clark said she wished to reply to the Consultation Document stating her concerns and it was agreed that the Forum should also put in a response.

8.    Project Update.

In the abence of Gary Wiseman, Sarah Cowie gave the under-noted report.

The estimated spend to date was £39,655.98 which left an estimated budget of £3,918.74.    After discussion the Forum  agreed that the work to install 1050mm high fencing at  West View, Buckpool should be undertaken; also the moss cleaning on the roofs of  17-23 Tannachy Road, Portgordon at estimated cost of £400 per house.

It was noted that the Council were expecting to receive a negative response from Scottish Water in respect of the layby car parking in Garden Lane, Portgordon.  This would release approximately £12,000 from the committed forum projects.

If these funds were released then the proposed projects in connection with the roofs on the  sheltered housing in Crown Terrace and the landscaping at Craiganroan Corner, Portgordon should be looked at during the planned walkabout in August, and estimates provided for discussion at the September Forum Meeting.

9. Any Other Urgent Business.

Sandra Fraser advised that a walkabout in Central Buckie would take place at 1.45.p.m on the 4 July 2008.

Harry Walton asked Vivian Smith to extend the Forum's best wishes for a speedy recovery to Bill Smith following his accident.

10.DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING:  The next Meeting will take place on Thursday 11^th September 2008 in the Committee Room,Buckie Community High School at 7.30.p.m.