CEDARWOOD, ELGIN
7pm – 9pm

Present
Elizabeth Miller, Elaine Martin, Audrey Murray, Bob Taylor, Charles French, Robert Amos, Gilbert Grant, Annie Cowie, Steven Christie and Heather Anderson.

Attending
Cllrs Shand, Sharp and Leadbitter.

Apologies
Cllrs Cree, Paul, McKay, Ross, Coull, Shepherd, Drivers and McIntyre.

January 2008 minutes
Audrey Murrays names was omitted from those present

Matters Arising

1. Secretary training, Fiona [policy officer] to look into what is available via The Moray Council.
2. Financial training, Steven to speak to MVSO, again.

Minutes proposed by Elizabeth Miller
Seconded by Charles French

Correspondence

1. Steven received a letter of resignation. This was read out to all round the table. All the accounts were made up to date and returned to Steven.
2. TPAS conference, 24th – 26th October, Apex Hotel, Dundee. The cost for this year’s conference is £500 plus travel costs.
3. Steven received a letter from Victim Support, they would like to come and speak to the group. This will be arranged for a future date.
4. Steven received a letter from a tenant in connection with a heating problem; this was passed onto The Moray Council.

Treasurers Report
This is no printed report. The last bank statement [22/01/08] recorded £156.78
At this point Steven asked everyone who claims expenses to write out millage ones and childcare ones on separate sheets, a receipt for childcare to be attached.

Core Group Constitution
Steven read through the constitution to all round the table and all agreed the proposed changes. Regarding child care this will be paid at a rate of £5 per hour. This has to be paid in advance by the core member and will be reimbursed when a receipt is produced. All agreed that care allowance should be £5 per hour.

New Letting Survey
This survey was read through and a few comments were made,

1. Legislation/Jargon can be hard to follow.
2. What about introducing internet/video viewing.
3. Still not enough help for new tenants when explaining heating
4. Dirty houses being allocated.
5. Missing keys, are locks changed? Yes.
6. Reporting repairs, what else can the council do? All agreed it was a simple process. 

T.P. Working Group

1. Gardening competition. The council are no longer going to continue with this. It is hoped that the forums will take this on. Steven explained how his forum ran the competition within his own area last year. This was done via walkabouts and the top three gardens were chosen, prizes were donated from different businesses.
2. Tenants Voice articles, forum updates, this year’s tenant’s conference, and an interview with one of the estate caretakers, tenant’s website, and housing finance.

For more information you may request these minutes from Heather.

Housing Best Value
The main issue has finding out how other councils/housing associations have fared from inspection. This group has trolled these reports and have compared them to how The Moray Council stands. Minutes can be requested from Heather.

Northern Lights Region
The three representing Moray are

1. Audrey Murray [Rothes]
2. Charles French [Lossiemouth]
3. Heather Anderson [Forres Area]

The first meeting of the newly formed group will be held on the 16th March in Johnston House, Aberdeen.

The Moray Tenants Conference
The working group has met once and most of the programme has been put in place, once it has been finalised a formal print out will be given to everyone.

C.I.H. Conference 2008
Anyone interested in attending please give names to either to Iain Terry or Graham Davidson.  The dates are 11th, 12th and 13th March. A reminder from Steven, written reports are required from those who attend via the council.

A.O.C.B.

1. Training sessions for the Housing Sub Committee are available; these come at a cost to the council. Names to Iain Terry.
2. The chair pointed out that several Core Group members have missed three meeting in a row without giving apologies. The constitution states that three missed meetings and they can be replaced by another tenant from their forum. If the core member is also a member of a working group then they will be replaced.
3. Steven is to be interviewed for the next MVSO newsletter.
4. Steven has been invited to attend the Royal Garden Party in July.
5. Charles reminded everyone that the new Tenant Website developer is waiting for forum information and photographs. Photographs have to be on disc. Computers for each forum are not needed, you can access the website via the library, but training will be given.

Next meeting
Tuesday 18th March
Cedarwood
Edgar Road
Elgin
7pm -9pm