SPEY COAST TENANTS FORUM.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPEY COAST TENANTS’ FORUM HELD ON THURSDAY 11^th JUNE 2009 IN ROOM 2, BUCKIE HIGH SCHOOL,BUCKIE AT 7.30.P.M.

PRESENT ;              Harry Walton             Chair-person

                                    Bill Smith                   Vice Chair

                                    Helen Milne              Treasurer

                                    Jean Walton             Secretary

                                    Pearl Mann

                                    Annie Cowie

                                    David Woods

                                    Patricia Beattie

                                    Vivian Smith.

                                    Alistair McQuaker    The Moray Council

                                    Ron Shepherd                     Councillor

                                    Joe McKay                            Councillor.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gary Coull, Douglas Ross and George McIntyre.

CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

Harry Walton welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised that the opportunity had arisen for the Forum to obtain a grant in order to purchase computer equipment etc for the use of the Forum.  A brief discussion took place regarding what was required by the Forum with regard to computer equipment and Harry Walton advised that the estimated costs would be under £1,000 for a laptop, printer, broadband connection for 12 months, printer cartridges and paper.  Harry Walton then asked for a vote to take place as to whether the Forum should proceed with the application for grant funding.

Decision                    For                              :                       8

                                    Against                      :                       1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9^TH APRIL 2009

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

Proposed : Helen Milne, Seconded : Vivian Smith.

MATTERS ARISING.

·         Treasurer’s Report – Alistair McQuaker asked that the actual balance should be noted within the Report

·         Leylandi Hedge, Fochabers – Alistair McQuaker confirmed that this work had already been completed.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Jean Walton referred to the list of courses which were to be organised by the MVSO and asked if members of the Forum wished to attend any which were to be held in Llanbryde Community Centre this year.   Helen Milne confirmed that she was to be attend the Governance Course in June and also the Book Keeping Course to be held in August.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Helen Milne submitted the 3 monthly report from March – May for approval and adoption and stated that the bank balance at the 31^st May was £653.79.

Bill Smith proposed adoption of the accounts; this was seconded by Patricia Beattie.   A copy of the approved accounts will now be forwarded to Graeme Davidson, Housing Strategy and Policy Manager.

PROJECT UPDATE

Harry Walton briefly went through the list of completed projects. With regard to the proposed projects for 2009/2010 Harry Walton said he was concerned that the Forum had only received one estimate for each project to consider. Alistair McQuaker then outlined the Government policy relating to estimates for projects.

The undernoted projects were discussed and decisions taken as to the action necessary.

Landscaping at Graigenroan Corner,Portgordon – Agreed that this project should be left in abeyance until the next meeting.

Removal of cobbles in Wallace Avenue,Buckie – The estimated cost of this project was £2,127.00.  Agreed by a majority decision this project should go ahead.

Milton Fields, Buckie. Alistair McQuaker outlined the background to this project and said that tenants had asked for the work to be done in order to stop the vandalism and anti social behaviour currently taking place in the area. It was noted that the total cost of demolishing the garages, putting in street lights and making a car park would be £19,000.  The Forum was asked to support this project.  After a brief discussion it was unanimously agreed that the Forum should contribute £12,000, being the cost of demolishing the garages, to this project.

Fencing at Stynie Road, Findlay Road and Birnie Place, Mosstodloch.   The total cost of this work was £11,109 and this project was agreed.

Seaview Road,Findochty (Slabbed Area) After a brief discussion it was agreed that this project would be left in abeyance until the next Meeting.

Pathway to rear of Castlehill Road,Fochabers.  This project was discussed briefly and agreed it would be brought to the September meeting for a decision.

The Forum agreed to spend £25,236.00 which left a balance remaining in the budget of £21,187.32. It was anticipated that the majority of this sum would be allocated at the September Meeting.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The question of advertising the Forum was discussed and agreed that an article in the Buckie Advertiser would be helpful. Joe Mackay suggested that the article should include all the projects which the Forum had been involved in 2008/2009 and the projects to be undertaken in 2009/2010.

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING; Thursday 10^th September 2009 at 7.30.p.m in Room 2, Buckie High School.

JW/16.6.09