Minutes of ACF Meeting
Thursday, 17th January 2008

Southwick Green communal lounge, Southwick

Present: - Wendy Farmer (Chair), Bridget Orman (Vice-chair & Secretary), Ruth Andrews, Fred Bathurst, Rose Boden, Bill Bone, Sue Lane, Bob McClelland, Linda Price, Ron Pope,
Eric Norman (ADC - Interim Head of Financial Services)

Welcome and introductions

Wendy welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies

Apologies were received from Bruce Andrews (Treasurer), Catherine Bowles, Conny Fairclough, Richad Hall, John Halls, Brian Higgins George Jones, Paula Kinsella, Elsie Kitson, June Molton, Sylvia Page, Tania Page, Stan Reed, Edna Wye, Barry Maxey (ADC).

3. Minutes of previous meeting on 15th November 2007
These were agreed.

Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

At this stage, Wendy then introduced Eric Norman our guest speaker,
who came to speak about :-

4a. Item 10 Housing Revenue Account – Budget 2008/9
Eric went through the report and answered questions from the floor. Wendy asked if Eric could return once he had the results of the three year forecast for the HRA. Eric was in agreement.
The ACF thanked Eric for his input into a very interesting and enjoyable discussion.

5. Secretary’s report and correspondence
Bridget wished everyone a Happy New Year. 

There is now a self service internet facility for rents and repairs. This is available to tenants around the clock seven days a week.
It allows tenants to view their housing and garage rent accounts and also allows access to their repairs history, so now it is possible to request a new repair and make a payment electronically. The website is www.adur.gov.uk/tenants-on-line. Paul Turner (Monitoring and Systems Support and Development Team Leader) is willing to give a presentation to the ACF, but this would have to be during the daytime.
He will also be available at the Tenants Conference on 30th January 2008.

Some refurbishment is taking place at the Civic Centre but disruption will be kept to a minimum.

A press release was received from the Southlanders Group giving details on a new community project entitled ‘On a street where you Live’ which includes the history of the Southlands Ward and support for any resident of that area who wants to trace their family tree. Anyone interested in joining the steering group or finding out about their family tree can attend a meeting in July – details nearer the time.

Bridget asked if there was anyone willing to train to be part of the interview panel when interviewing for Housing Management Division staff. If anyone is interested, please contact Barry or Sue on 01273 594134

6. Treasurer’s report
No figures were available as the treasurer was unable to attend. 
The last available figure was in November £2339.15

7. Bids from Residents’ Associations for Environmental Grants
Sue Lane (Tollbridge and St Nicolas RA) had enquired at the last 
meeting about a toolshed. There may be a problem of where to site it, Sue will discuss this with Barry.

Ron Pope (Courtfields) enquired about plants to enhance the communal areas at the scheme. Wendy advised Ron to get quotes and submit them at the next meeting.

Agenda for Housing and Central Services Committee meeting

Item 6. Kingston Beach – Village Green
The contents of this were noted.

Item 7. 6 Fishersgate Terrace – Retaining Wall
Points 5.3 and 7. iv were discussed and Wendy will raise these at the Housing Committee meeting.

Item 8. Housing Strategy 2005 – 2010: Review Update
This report was read agreed and noted.

Item 9. Rents of Non-HRA Temporary Accommodation
After much discussion some ACF members felt that more clarification was needed on this report. Wendy will raise this at the Housing committee meeting.

Item 10. Housing Revenue Account – Budget 2008/9
See above 4a

9. Reports of the Sub-Committees

i) Compact Monitoring – Linda Price (Chair) reported that a date for the next meeting is yet to be set.

ii) The Forum – Dates of meetings will soon be arranged for the editorial group to meet.

iii) Leasehold Sub-group – Bill Bone (Chair) said that at the last ALF meeting in November a report had been received from Kate Routley (Leasehold Properties Administrator) covering new legislation for landlords and that new handbooks will be sent with service charges. The council will also be writing to leaseholders about the switchover to digital TV. The date of the next meeting for this group is 6th February 2008. 

iv) SHARP – We are waiting for Sue Hart to consult with scheme managers about the proposed changes to sheltered housing before the date of the next SHARP meeting is set.

10. Any other business
Ruth mentioned that the shrubs that were to fill the spaces in the bed at the Millennium garden had not been planted yet. Clive Bramble is to be contacted about this.

The raffle raised £17.00

The meeting closed at 9.15pm

11. Date of next meeting – Provisionally 28th February 2008 confirmation to follow.