Greater Norwich Area Forum - Broadland Housing Association

Dereham Area Forum MinutesTuesday 9 th November 2010AttendeesConnie AytonJill PointerPeter BradburyJanet ClaxtonAmanda CockingSimon DavisACTIONSBroadland Housing Association;Anthony MoxeyBob PatelSarah CookGayle Taylor1. Apologies;None Received2. Minutes of the last meetingSarah opened the forum by saying that we had been using an informalstructure for a while. The Norwich forum are reviewing the forum structure howdid everyone feel about the Dereham forum? Everyone unanimously agreedthey liked the feel and format of the forum. Peter said that being informalmade it more comfortable for people to speak their mind. He added it was veryinformative having different members of staff come along for example PeterBrown last time and Anthony Moxey today. The minutes were reviewed and itwas agreed they were an accurate record of the last meeting.Bob explained that the new members of the customer services team had beentasked with a project to look at customer experiences and how we canimprove the service provided. As part of this they were asking for feedbackfrom members of the forums and would appreciate it if customers couldcomplete a short questionnaire. These were handed out with prepaidenvelopes.3. Scrutiny Update: Sarah CookSarah updated that a Scrutiny steering group has set up looking at getting ascrutiny panel together. She explained this was a very new project for1 Dereham Area Forum | Broadland Housing Association

Broadland but a very exciting opportunity for tenants. Amanda got involved asshe sees it as a good opportunity for training and development. Sarahexplained we are recruiting through Nov, Dec, Jan and there will be open daysand potentially a road show to provide further information. We will be comingto talk to everyone. Ideally the group is looking for 3 people from each area ofvarying skills and ages. That’s what we lack at the moment the variety ofpeople and different opinions. Simon added the other way to promote this isfor people to go back to the schemes and update the others. Sarah said thatwould be brilliant at the moment we are just trying to get the message outthere at this opportunity exists. Amanda said a lot of people on her schemethink what’s the point because they believe Broadland don’t actually listen.Connie thought that this attitude needs addressing as Broadland are startingto listen now. Sarah finished by saying scrutiny and tenant empowerment isgoing to be a real culture change to the group.4. Anthony Moxey - Senior Contract SurveyorSarah welcomed Anthony and asked if anyone had anything they wished todiscuss. Simon asked how we got on with the scheme feedback following anOut & About. At the last forum it was agreed Peter Brown would do a schemewalkabout with Simon during out & about. Anthony said we have updatedindividuals about a lot of the things raised which have been carried out.Antony added the guttering has been addressed and along with Toby, andPeter will be checking up on the works we have requested to make sure it’s allbeen done. Simon asked for a tree surgeon to come and look at the big ashtree the roots are starting to cause massive damage and the bark is starting tosplit. Anthony will ask Toby to come and have another look. Simon wanted totry keeping costs down but would like people to receive letters. He asked didwe know they were going to put gloss paint on. The trouble being they havesealed in all the damp so it won’t breathe. It will give you a year and then if weget another bad winter then it will need to be looked at again.Anthony explained we asked Mears to look at it and they made anassessment of what needed to be done so he would need to speak to them.The doors will all be replaced and some of the store doors as well. If they havebeen painted with no repairs we won’t be happy. Anthony agreed to over earlynext week and access the situation.Simon wanted to point out that the letters came after the painting had beendone! But on the whole it has smartened up the place and it looks a lot betterespecially with the facia boards around the gutting.Anthony added he has asked that next year we look at cladding and its beingassessed in the budget.Simon said they could do with insulation as well. Peter Brown walked roundand was going to get the gardener to come and look at the moss but it hasn’tbeen done. The gardener is coming every week and cutting the grass and it’s2 Dereham Area Forum | Broadland Housing Association

doing more damage than good. Next year we could take that on ourselves.Anthony said the gardener has started to clean the moss at Beech Court as itwas not being treated and he’s been told its being done this week along withweeds on the stairwells.Peter wanted to update that his environmental improvement idea wasaccepted. Mark Kerr came and had a chat with him personally and came tosee the residents. They carried out the work this week and they have putbushes in the boarders that run alongside of the building, the front of thebuilding and the roadside. It looks very beautiful and Peter was veryimpressed with how much they did. However when he proposed this it was fortwo reasons one was to brighten up the project and the other to stop footballbeing played in the central area. Kevin Blake came out to have a look butnothing has been done yet about the football issue.Anthony said he would mention it to Mark Kerr, so it’s the green area in frontof the cycle shed it probably needs a scan to find out what underneath.Peter said people keep playing football at night in the dark it’s not well lit butstill people play. Peter told some kids of that it was private property and youcould get into trouble for trespassing. They said where’s the sign and therewasn’t one.Amanda asked is there a no ball games sign?Peter said yes there is but it took 3 years to get one and then they put thecycle shed in front of it!Anthony asked does it need moving then? I know certain members of staff arenot in favour of signs but I am I think it does make a difference.Peter said the problem being if you live there the noise of them kicking the ballconstantly against the wall is very disturbing.Anthony said if you want more no ball games signs then that is something wecan look at if you ring our customer services number they can log it and getToby to sort that out for you. Peter Brown would authorise it.Peter requested it would be good to have a private property sign so at leastyou can point it out to trespassers.Anthony agreed to certainly look into putting a notice up to identify that itsprivate property.Peter thanked Anthony and said every little helpsSimon asked what’s happening with the stock condition surveys? Because heis never really homeAnthony explained Tracey Garwood is arranging them some have been donealready at Lynn Court, if you know when you are available then I can check3 Dereham Area Forum | Broadland Housing Association

Adaptations leaflet I left youPeter said he did the main point was the bath instead of the bath I’d like ashower but then again I might be moving I’m getting to the age where I mightbe looking at sheltered.Gayle added It’s really hard as for sheltered you need to still be registered withthe council. There are thirty thousand people on the waiting list for Norfolk andSuffolk.Amanda commented we have an aging populationPeter suggested in the Eastern Daily Press Baroness Hollis was saying aboutthe capping of benefits it should be notified to tenants. It’s a bit of a worry andeveryone who is on benefits is going to be interested.Sarah asked if anyone else have anything else for Anthony. There wasnothing else.5. Agenda Items for the next meetingAnthony said Peter Brown came to the last meeting and I was asked to cometo this one I deal with the West area, Kevin Clark deals with the East andSimon Brister deals with the central area. But Simon is going to be giving usmore support and coming to spend a day a week in Dereham.Connie wanted to bring up what are you doing to St Katherine’s Court its awfulyou have penned it all inACTIONAnthony explained we had a scheme in Kings Lynn called St Katherine’s courtwe have built them a new car park which has increased security and havebuild a new scheme next door.Connie said it’s so close thought it feels invasive you could pass toast throughthe window between schemes.Anthony answered I wasn’t involved in the planning stage but I think thefinished product will be a definite improvement and the design its brilliant andits very attractive.Connie said it’s just a bit of a shock looking at it I hope you’re not doinganything like that round our way!Anthony said my role as well as looking at asset is taking a scheme forwardafter planning to built stageJill asked do we ever get asked as residents what we think?Anthony answered when the planning is submitted that will be available to youConnie said it’s not that I’m quite happy because I’ve seen the plans but being5 Dereham Area Forum | Broadland Housing Association

the scheme representative they think I have a direct line to Broadland and itbecomes embarrassing when they start asking questions and neither I norGail knows the answer.Anthony said with regards to any objections they need to come via the localauthority.Connie said she is not objecting it’s just people want to know what’s going onbut don’t go and look themselves they just want direct information. When StKatherine’s came over they were telling us how unhappy they were with it butas you say it’s a good thing.Anthony said I don’t do the designs they are submitted to the local authorityand everyone has the chance to look and comment. I went to see residentsprior to the plans and so did Ed-Mumford Smith. He showed them the plansand we discussed the lack of housing.Jill said exactly I appreciate the need for housing is great and I’m gratefulSarah asked if there any speakers requested for the next meeting. Anthonysuggested inviting Ed Mum-Smith and he can bring his plans alongACTION – EMS or MK to come to the next forum and do a presentation.Specifically to proposed development in York PlaceACTION – Invite Katie Doherty to the next meeting to introduce her as thenew neighbourhood officer6. Any Other BusinessThere was none so Sarah thanked everyone for coming out on a cold windynight.7. Date & Time of Next MeetingTuesday 8 th February 2011 Dereham Office 6pm – 7pmSarah CookBob PatelResident Participation Manager01603 750236 01603 750295Resident Participation AssistantYou can now find us on6 Dereham Area Forum | Broadland Housing Association