Minutes of the Full Federation Meeting held on
27^th February 2008 at Central Library, Halifax

1a. Attendance

Mary Battye	Chair
Leslie Godfrey	Beechwood	James Hutchinson	Elphin Court
Joan Coyne	Elphin Court	Grace Paradise	Fall Spring Gardens
Iris O'Donnell	Haley Court	Eric Sutcliffe	Haley Court
Rita McWhirter	Heptonstall	Margaret Coupe	Heptonstall
Val O'Leary	Kershaw	Bill Stafford	Kershaw
Don Mclean	Ling Bob	Sheila Whiteley	McBurney Close
Doris Maden	McBurney Close	Val Barker	Middle Mixenden
Rita Edgell	Pollit Fields	Chris Lates	Pollit Fields
Ester Richardson	Pollit Fields	George Cameron	Shaw Lodge
Henry Jenner	Stansfield Crossley	Audrey Waterhouse	Towngate House
Heather Stacey	Thornhill	Michael Stacey	Thornhill
Ruth Rider	Twin Towers	Sheila Gilmore	Twin Towers
Betty Booth	Upper Brig Royd	Dorothy Gregg	Upper Brig Royd
Sue Molineux	Whinney Hill Park
Amanda Garrard	Pennine Housing	Jo Hartley	Pennine Housing

1b. Apologies

Nora Greenfield	Barker Close TARA	Carole Shaw	Fall Spring Gardens
Norma Marriott	Barker Close TARA	David Church	Towngate House
Bert Swaine	Haley Court	Anne Lees	Mozeley Drive
Irene Mulhall	Mozeley Drive	Carol Jenner	Stansfield Crossley
Val Bennett	Pollit Fields

2. Minutes of previous meetings

Agreed with the following noted:

Audrey Waterhouse was stated in the minutes as a representative from Talbot House. This should read Towngate House.

3. Matters arising

Ruth requested clarification on the rules of fire safety in high rise blocks, including the decision to remove items in communal areas and whether tenants should stay inside their flats in the event of a fire. She also reported issues with her block stating that covers had been removed from the louvre windows. She said this had led to draughty corridors and flats. Ruth informed members that she had originally been informed by Andy Vass that the covers had been removed in order to be cleaned but had since found out they would not be replaced due to fire safety. It was noted that tenants had not been consulted about this matter.

Amanda agreed that tenants should have been informed but explained that the fire regulations may have changed and Pennine had to follow instructions from the Fire Service. It was noted that Andy Vass was to attend a meeting with tenants in Ruth's block to discuss the matter further.

The TARA Support Working Group will be looking into the decision to remove decorations and furniture in communal areas and will report their findings back to a future Federation meeting.

Rita referred to the level of disruption that the demolition of Valley View was creating for tenants living in the Longfield bungalows and flats. She said the blasting of rock had been ongoing for six months and the conditions were horrendous for tenants.

It was noted that Audrey had volunteered to help with the TARA Support Working Group but had received no information. Jo will add her onto the mailing list.

4. Correspondence

A thank you card was received from Joyce Fearnley regarding the New Year Party and Ann Durkin thanked members for her flowers.

5. Treasurer's Report

The financial report was circulated.

6. Resignation of Secretary

Sue gave notice that she would be standing down from her position as Secretary in the near future due to moving property and has asked members to think about nominations. It was agreed to advertise the position in the Federation newsletter as soon as the resignation was received.

7. Green Issues

Iris O'Donnell gave a presentation to draw attention to environmental issues and encourage greener living.

Amanda Garrard outlined the following Pennine green issues:

• Affordable warmth - working with tenants to reduce costs and save money

• Staff and tenant/Fed Green champions,

• Sub groups looking at new homes, people and existing homes and offices

8. Pennine Housing Issues

i) 2008/09 Rent Increases and Business Plan

Amanda explained the rent setting formula and said Government target rents needed to be reached by 2011/12. She outlined the rent plan and informed members that garage rent would not increase this year and Pennine would ensure that rents would increase in as smaller steps as possible with the rent charge option of RPI +1.5% & 0.5% agreed.

There was a discussion about the fairness of all tenants paying the same level of rent when there properties were at different standards. Amanda reassured that investment would continue to bring all properties up to decent standard.

ii) Handy Person Scheme Update

There will be two new posts starting April 2008. One will provide a helping hand with minor jobs to vulnerable tenants over the age of 50 and the other will be allocated directly to new tenants. Both services will be free of charge and should be booked directly through Pennine Direct. A maximum of four hours will be allocated to a job. Some members said they were having trouble getting through to Pennine Direct. Jo will feedback to Pennine Direct.

Amanda stressed that the service could be stretched depending on demand as there were only 2 posts available to all Pennine tenants.

Pennine are also looking into providing a gardening service charged at a nominal fee. Watch this space for more information.

Val Barker informed members that Middle Mixenden had a list of local gardeners and provided help finding gardeners for vulnerable tenants in her area.

iii) Tenant Board Elections

New faces are wanted for the Board for the elections in June 2008. Taster sessions and meetings with current Board members can be organised for anyone interested. Please contact Margaret Holt on 01484 824327 if you are interested.

iv) Disability Action Plan

Consultation has taken place and an action plan has been drawn up. The Disability Action Plan was distributed for information.

v) Future Links with Pennine

It was greed that Pennine and the Fed Management Team should meet regularly to discuss items in detail in order for the Management Team to feedback updates to full Fed meetings.

9. Involving Young People Event

To be held Saturday, 26^th April 2008 at the King's Centre.

Sean Broadbent from Mytholm Close was voted the winner of the poster competition on the Management Away Day and his poster will be used to advertise the event. Concerns were raised that the winning poster was misleading as to who the event was aimed at. Jo clarified that the event was aimed at tenant & resident groups and would provide training and advice on how to encourage involvement of young people in their area. Pennine will work with Sean Broadbent to add sufficient information to the poster before it goes out to tenant groups.

Tenant groups were asked to think about what they have already achieved involving young people. A Powerpoint presentation will be produced to advertise some of the good work going on around the neighbourhood.

It was agreed that the event could be opened up to more tenant groups from other organisations, e.g. Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing with a charge added for the cost of their lunch.

10. European Neighbours Day

A fun day to be held on Friday, 30th May 2008 in the PIECE HALL. Please note that the flyer produced for the Federation meeting was incorrect...

For more information contact Action Halifax on 01422 321028

11. Feedback from Working Groups

i) Training Group

It was agreed that the IT Drop In would cease to continue after Tuesday, 4^th March 2008 due to low attendance. In future, anyone who needs help with minutes, flyer, newsletters etc. can book time with Jo or Beverley by ringing 01422 284609

Issues were raised about the Committee Skills course. Some members have stopped attending and reports were received that the course was not what was expected and some points seemed irrelevant to Committee Skills. Bill Stafford agreed to continue the course on behalf of the Training Group to see if the course should continue in the future for tenant group members.

ii) Big Picture

The group's priorities for this year are:

• Carolyn Flint, Housing Minister - No House No Job

• Leeds Tenants Fed Conference - 26^th Feb 2008

• Find out more info on Calderdale Forward

• Further information from Mark Thompson

• Meetings with Amanda Garrard regarding new builds, recycling, solar panels etc.

• Meetings with Stephen Batley regarding lost housing applications, advertised properties but not ready to move into

• Ensure people are notified of conferences in sufficient time.

iii) TARA Support

The group's priorities for this year are:

• Tackling the issue of decorations and furniture in communal areas

• Value for money within Pennine - where money is spent and should be spent.

12. Any Other Business

Yorkshire Planning Aid are holding a one day training seminar - 'Everything You Wanted To Know About Section 106 Agreements' to be held Thursday 10^th April 2008, 9.30am - 4.30pm St George's Centre in Leeds. Anyone wanting to attend should contact Jo Hartley on 01422 284518.

It was asked if there would be a possibility of Sheltered Wardens going back to the old Warden scheme. The Federation have had many previous discussions regarding this matter and there are no plans to return to the old service.

13. Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday, 30^th April 2008: 7.00pm Halifax Central Library.