Minutes of the meeting held in

The Seaview Suite of the Lossiemouth Town Hall

On Tuesday 13^th May 2008

Sederunt:

• Charles French, Chairperson
• Fran Hutton, Vice-Chairperson
• Victoria Moors, Secretary
• Robert Taylor
• Bill Reid
• Constance Campbell
• Jane Stokes
• Helen MacIntosh
• Amanda Gregory, Housing Officer

Present: Charles French, Fran Hutton, Victoria Moors, Robert Taylor, Jane Stokes, Helen MacIntosh

The Chairperson opened the meeting at 1900 hours and welcomed all present. .He introduced Helen MacIntosh.

Item 1. Apologies.

1.1       Apologies were received from Bill Reid, Amanda Gregory, Constance Campbell.

Item 2.  Minutes of the Previous Meeting

2.1       It was proposed by Bob and seconded by Victoria that the minutes be accepted.  The minutes were accepted and signed by the Chairperson as a true record.

Item 3. Matters Arising from Minutes

3.1       The rent office in Lossiemouth is now closed.  Concern has been raised that it takes three days for a payment to reach the council when payment is made at local stores and post offices and can trigger arrears letters.

3.2       There is still some confusion among the elderly about paying their rent and council tax with a card at stores and the post office.  Will be raised at the Core Group

Item 4. Correspondence

4.1       Membership renewal for TPAS was received and it was agreed to renew our membership.

4.2       A letter was received from COSLA on the proposed changes to the system of community engagement.

Item 5. Reports

5.1       Tenant Participation Working Group

• It  was agreed to try and get the Out of Darkness theatre group to do a sketch on recycling.
• The TP Strategy will show a clear funding criteria for tenant groups.
• Home improvements being carried out will be published
• It was agreed to try and arrange meetings for young tenants
• It was agreed to scrap the garden competition but local forums could hold garden competitions in their area

Item 6. Web Site

6.1     The Core Group and the Lossiemouth Tenants Forum web sites are now on the web.  What is on the site is the initial material and when all the sites are finished we will be able to change and update what is there.  The next to be set up will be Bilbohall.

Item 7.  Environmental Grant

7.1       Helen asked if the forum could investigate the possibility of building a children's play park on the common good land to the south of grant park football ground.  It is currently covered in whines and gorse and is covered in dog mess.  It was agreed that Charles would speak to the council and clarify the position.

7.2       The building of a children's play park is a long term commitment and will involve costs so it was agreed to earmark and keep back £7000 from this year's environmental grant to cover these costs

Item 8. Any Other Relevant Business

8.1       Due to committee restructuring at the council the dates of the Housing Sub Committee are changing.

8.2       The council agreed to increase its grant to the Core Group from £500 to £1500.

8.3       The tenant's survey improvement plan is being updated and will be in place shortly.

8.4       All material has been submitted for the Tenants Voice and it should be published in June.

8.6       The external woodwork painting programme is to start shortly

8.7       The issue of people feeding seagulls was raised.  This brings them into the estates where they can attack children and make a mess.  It was noted that feeding seagulls is an offence

8.8       The internal doors of council houses are not the standard size.  Does anyone know where to buy council internal doors?

8.9       Fran said that we should promote the forum i e get kids to designposters etc.

Item 12. Date and Time of Next Meeting

12.1     The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10^th June 2008 at 7pm in the Seaview Suite of the Lossiemouth Town Hall.

12.2     There being no further business the meeting closed at 2000 hours and the Chairperson thanked all those present for attending.