MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 12^TH FEBRUARY 2009 IN ROOM 2, BUCKIE HIGH SCHOOL AT 7.30.P.M.

PRESENT :        Harry Walton                Chair person

                             Bill Smith                       Vice Chair

                             Jean Walton                 Secretary

                             Helen Milne                  Treasurer.

                             Pearl Mann

                             David Wood

                             Vivian Smith

                             Stella Clark

                             Patricia Beattie

                             Annie Cowie

                             Averil Cooper               The Moray Council.    

                             Sarah Wisnickie                    The Moray Council

     WELCOME; Harry Walton welcomed everyone to the meeting.  

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  Apologies for absence were received from Alistair McQuaker ,Catherine Mair and Bob Hay.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 11^th DECEMBER 2008.

The Minutes were appoved as a correct  record of the Meeting.

Proposed  D Woods, Seconded Bill Smith

MATTERS ARISING :  Nothing raised.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Jean Walton reported that the Forum had received copies of  a Consultation Document titled “Investing in affordable housing” together with the questionnaire.  Briefing meetings regarding this document have been organised throughout Scotland, but todate there appears to be a degree of confusion and more discussion needs to take place.  Responses  to the document  are required by 17^th March.

Computer training is still taking place at Buckie High School and this is nearing completion.  Everyone seems to be very pleased with the progress they have made and requested that the training continues.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Helen Milne said she had little to report, the Forum had a balance of £320.94, and advised that travel expenses would be paid at the end of each meeting.

REPORTS

Housing Sub-Committee – David Wood briefly went through the Agenda items for the meeting to be held on the 13^th February.   David Wood also circulated the report of the Housing Inspectors visit to the Council, during which the Council was awarded second place in the league table.

Moray Core Group – Bill Smith reported on the last Core Group Meeting at  which the Tenant Participation Strategy had been discussed.  Bill Smith advised that Government money was available to assist Councils to meet their waste targets.  It was also noted that volunteers were required to act as Tenants Assessors during inspections.

TP Working Group – Harry Walton advised that 70 slips had been returned from the Tenants Voice and the majority were in favour of having showers fitted and paying an increase in rent.

The Treasurer’s financial training course will be undertaken by MVSO on the 9^th March at Cedarwood, Elgin.    Treasurers of each Forum should attend together with one or two other representatives.

The Housing Inspection Report had stated hat the Council working with the Tenants Organisations was found to be a significant strength; this was a very good achievement, however Ian Terry had pointed out that there were weaknesses as the Report had stated that the Council  was not getting enough feedback from tenants after repairs had been done.

PROJECT UPDATE.

Lane behind 1-33 Castlehill Road, Fochabers.  Jean Walton reported that she had spoken to Grant Speed who had confirmed that this lane was on the Council’s maintenance programme and would be paid for by them and not the Forum. However, the work had been carried out and  Bill Smith expressed concern at the untidiness of the job. Sarah Wisnickie agreed to discuss this with Grant Speed.

Wallace Avenue – Cobbles.   An estimate for the removal of the cobbles had been received amounting to some £7,216.  Concern was expressed by the Forum and it was agreed that Sarah Fraser, Housing Officer and David Wood would visit the site to see the exact amount of work required and report back to the next meeting. 

Car parking layby, Garden Lane, Portgordon.  It was noted that a revised estimate for this work had been received and the cost of this project would now be in the region of £21,000.    Concern was expressed by members of the Forum with regard to the excessive increase from £14,000 and it was agreed that further discussion should take place when further information was available.  Sarah Wisnickie handed the relevant papers and plans over to the Forum for perusal.

It was noted that the £14,000 allocated in the 2008/2009 budget had been utilised for other projects, i.e. moss removal and roof cleaning at Crown Street, Portgordon, and various other small projects and the Forum now only had approximately £3,000 left to allocate for projects during this financial year.

It was noted that a written report from the Project Officer had not been produced for the meeting and it was considered important that the Forum receives this in time for each meeting and it would be helpful if a representative from the Project Officer could attend some of the meetings to answer relevant questions.   

ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS : Nothing raised.

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING : Thursday 12^th March 2009 in the Committee Room, Bucke High School  at 7.30.p.m

JW/20.2.09