BRIGHTON & HOVE CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING MANAGEMENT PANEL: WEST AREA
2.00PM 14 DECEMBER 2021
VIRTUAL MEETING – ZOOM
MINUTES
Present:
Councillors:
Cllr Moonan (Chair), Cllr Bagaeen, Cllr Pissaridou
Residents: Anne Packham, Graham Dawes, Alison Gray, Rosemary Whitehouse,
Muriel Briault,
Officers: Ododo Dafe, Keely McDonald, Diane Coe, Francis
Mitchell, Pien Kuipers, Thomas Bald, Janet Dowdell, Grant Ritchie,
Rich Wheeler, Sam Warren, Craig Garoghan
1 – WELCOME, APOLOGIES & INTRODUCTIONS
1.1 Apologies from Cllr Allcock, Cllr O’Quinn and Ted Chapman.
2 – ACTIONS AND MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
2.1 Graham Dawes stated under item 2.1 that his concern was regarding use of the word ‘noted’ and it was agreed that this word would not be used in future minutes. Instead, a description of the action or agreement would be provided.
2.2
It
was also agreed that the minutes would be checked by community
engagement before being presented to the panel at future meetings.
Cllr Moonan highlighted that Cllr Allcock was working with
Democratic Services to improve the quality of minutes.
2.3
It
was agreed that the minutes would be amended and presented at the
next meeting.
2.4
Rosemary
Whitehouse suggested correcting items 2.2 and 2.3 to reflect that
Clarke Court does not have water butts and that a long hose will be
needed.
2.5
Rosemary
Whitehouse suggested the inclusion of definitions of ‘council
terms’ in the minutes.
2.6
Ododo
Dafe stated that the papers will be distributed 10 days before the
meeting.
2.7
Rosemary
Whitehouse stated that residents are still vaping in her residence.
Rosemary Whitehouse wanted to put forward a formal complaint
regarding stalking and harassment towards the vaping but was
herself threatened with investigation.
2.8
Ododo
Dafe stated that Robert Keelan will be asked to get back in touch
with Rosemary Whitehouse regarding her concerns.
2.9
Alison
Gray stated that none of the EDB actions on page 11 had been
completed. Keely McDonald stated that there were updates to these
actions available for view on page 13 of the Agenda. Alison Gray
stated that Keely McDonald had not answered her list of questions.
Keely McDonald clarified that she was aware that there is more work
to do in answering these questions. Alison Gray requested the Keely
McDonald and Lucy Beasley should
complete the actions and that they be included in the
minutes.
2.10
Alison
Gray stated that, despite the number of task and finish groups for
EDB, no vote had been held at any of these meetings. Keely McDonald
stated that her and Lucy Beasley
have taken this on board and will catch residents up on what has
been recommended and any actions that are outstanding.
2.11 Ododo Dafe informed the Panel that next year the cyclical maintenance will be looked into, requesting residents report anything that needs completion.
2.12
.
Muriel Briault stated that her guttering is now damaged again and
clarified in the previous actions that it was not her that had
issue with vaping, but instead Rosemary Whitehouse. Ododo Dafe
stated that Muriel Briault had received papers regarding her
guttering repair.
RESOLVED:
· The word ‘noted’ not be used in future minutes.
· Unfinished actions from October to be completed.
3 – ESTATE DEVELOPMENT BUDGET
3.1
Keely
McDonald delivered the report on this item.
3.2
Cllr
Bagaeen asked if there was a split between groups and individuals
applying for EDB grants and if there was any information on the
success rates of groups compared to individuals. Keely McDonald
stated that she did not have this information to hand but outlined
that there is an additional round of bids before the end of the
financial year to make it easier for residents to submit bids.
Keely McDonald also stated that the majority of bids come from
groups, but that support is given to individuals seeking a
bid.
3.3 Alison Gray stated that:
· (page 13) it was not agreed that each group could submit 6 bids per year.
· It was agreed that if any money was left over at the end of the bid round, the area concerned would be informed and would be allowed to submit another bid.
· Quick bids had been reduced to 6 meetings per year, and that quick bids are now taking longer than main bids as they can take between 2-4 months to complete.
· Bids should be a majority vote as some are being rejected after 3 people out of 72 were in opposition to them.
·
The
proposed scoring methods have not been used.
3.4
Keely
McDonald stated the purpose of the EDB Task and Finish Group,
residents can attend the existing task and finish groups.
3.5
Alison
Gray expressed concern regarding progress of the EDB review due to
inconsistence attendance and rearrangements of meetings.
4 – RESPONSES FROM RESIDENTS QUESTIONS
4.1
Graham
Dawes stated that he did not understand many of the responses given
in the resident’s questions.
4.2
Alison
Gray stated she was unhappy with the response given regarding task
and finish groups. Alison also stated concern regarding the
decrease in service improvement groups citing time-concerns.
4.3
The
Chair deferred the item and encouraged residents to raise concerns
before the next meeting.
4.4 Graham Dawes stated that he felt as if the venues and timing for the area panels were not appropriate.
5 – HOUSING PERFORMANCE REPORT
5.1 Ododo Dafe delivered the report on this item but there was no discussion.
6 – POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
6.1
Rosemary
Whitehouse stated that the planters and workers were
excellent
6.2
Rosemary
Whitehouse expressed concerns regarding a disabled resident who has
faulty door and a contaminated water-supply in their home. Ododo
Dafe confirmed she would be in contact with Rosemary Whitehouse
regarding this.
7 – FUTURE FORMAT OF AREA PANELS
7.1 The Chair stated format will remain virtual, citing concerns regarding the Omicron Variant of Covid.
8 – BUDGET UPDATE
8.1
Ododo
Dafe presented report on this item.
8.2
Cllr
Moonan clarified that the final decision regarding the HRA budget
would be made at budget council in February.
8.3
Alison
Gray asked why scooter storage costs as much as it does. Ododo Dafe
responded that scooter storage prices have increased by 4% due to
electricity prices.
8.4 Graham Dawes expressed reservations towards how the Council is proceeding with their ICT systems, citing the council not seeking specialist consultation. Ododo Dafe stated that some residents and leaseholders were involved in consultation for the ICT systems and their input was taken on board, citing a development where leaseholders will be able to check their bills on-screen. Ododo Dafe also stated that a handful of tenants have already tested the system with feedback being that they are ‘overwhelmingly delighted’ as they are able to do so much more online rather than requesting information from the council.
9 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no discussion.
The meeting concluded at 16:02pm.