Minutes from Full Federation Meeting

Held on 26th October 2005

7pm Central Library

1. Apologies Audrey Waterhouse, Keith Stacy, Wendy Buxton, Ann Durkin, Eric Sutcliffe Vicky Robertshaw.

2. In Attendance Sheila Whiteley, Iris ODonell, Mary Battye Brian Battye, Mary and Stanley Ashworth, Kathleen Graham, Heather and Michael Stacy, Maureen Scimshaw, Ken Smith, Sue Molineux, Jane Toye, E Grimberge, Nadine Greenwood, Nancy Briggs, Leslie Godfrey, Sue Hodgson, Allan Randall, Grace Paradise, Carol Shaw, Bert Swaine, Rita McWhirter, Margaret Coupe, Don McLean, Doris Maden, Val Barker, Carol Coles.

3. Minutes from August Full Fed

4. Matters Arising. Community events. Were thought a waste of time by most that attended them, Brighouse being the exception.

5. Report from September Full Fed Special Meeting.

This meeting, with Tom Miskell, PH2Ks Chief Exec. was thought by most members to have been interesting and informative.

6. Matters Arising. Rent review. It was said that this is probably a way to persuade everyone to pay by direct debit? Invitations to rent review sessions are to be sent to all tenants. It was pointed out the different cost to Pennine by the methods which are available now will make the transactions much cheaper. Iris has represented us at PH2K rent review meetings and she says that there is now much more competition from providers and so, many cheaper options to consider.

7. Minutes from October Management Meeting. Agreed.

8. Matters Arising. Some Comments made between Ken and Sheila about the Core Group meeting may have been misleading, it sounded as though there had been an argument. There was not.

Sound equipment It is very heavy to move and Eric has decided not to carry it in future. No one else seems to want the job. Iris will look into the possibilities of storing it at the library.

9. Some tenants went along to a Calderdale Council presentation held at the Tower House. Topic Housing Strategy 2005- 2010

A draft copy was included with papers. There would appear to be a lot of questions to be asked regarding this. We asked members to write them down and bring them to our next special meeting. Mark Thomson Head of Housing for Calderdale Housing will be our speaker.

10. A paper was handed out from Hilary Brady, it is asking for someone from the Fed to take part in the selection of partners for the TransPennine Group. As you know Rossendale and Sheffield are to come under Pennine umbrella, and contractors have to be chosen for them. Knowledge of this process is not necessary as training will be given. Anyone who is interested to contact Hilary ASAP

11. Ken had handed out his paper regarding communication or the lack of it at the start of the meeting he thinks that we fall down on this skill and has brought this to light. Most of his comments have already been under discussion prior to him producing this paper. The management are well aware of their own and Pennine's short comings in this area.

12. Sheila's reports Core group and Buyers group, these seem to be interesting groups to take part in, Iris said that she had a better insight of what these meetings are about after talking to Sheila.

13. Any other business. This question caused unrest.. Why has a one-bedroom property on the Whinney Hill estate been empty for 11 months? Members from other areas said that they were aware of a lot more that were not occupied and yet on record with PH2K as being tenanted. We are told there is a shortage of housing and yet this property still stands empty. As we have said before Voids should be on Area agendas, even this was felt to be too long to wait for an answer.

14. Sheila has been on Pennine web site to find out if she could obtain a caretaking schedule. None on the web! But they are available on request. In a phone call to central housing office, she was told that they were unaware that there were such lists. Sheila is not the only one apparently who has found the Pennine web site lacking in correct information. It very much needs to be needs brought up to date. It looks very efficient when half off the information on it is past its sell by date. These observations will be passed on to Pennine staff.

15. Comment from Sheila. It was good to hear from some people who do not normally take part in debates or come forward with ideas. This meeting was much more interactive than usual. More please.

Meeting closed 8-50

Date of the next meeting 30^th Nov. 2005 at 7pm in the Central library this will be a Special Subject meeting.