Broomwood Partnership – Housing
Focus Group
23rd
November 2004 @ 2pm
Present:
Debbie Gorman, Marie Toboni, Grant McKenzie, Joe Statham
Apologies:
Veta
Gordon (Now a Director of IVHA) NOTE:
Alan Bailey has now retired from IVHA; We wish Alan a most enjoyable
retirement.
The Minutes of the last meeting
were accepted.
Group remit: At the last Broomwood Partnership meeting the possibilities of obtaining a facilitator for the group was discussed, Area Services cannot assist the groups due to an expansion of their role.
Scope of this Group: The Environmental Group are holding separate meetings. In respect of the very many urgent cross-linking Transport and Accessibility issues, these are currently being dealt with by BP Health Group who are in the process of conducting an Access Audit close to Briarfield Shops and the new IVHA bungalows – a report should be to hand shortly. The BP Environmental Group are also considering phased access improvements to Brooks Drive, in particular to better enable general and disabled access in line with the 1995 Act.
HOUSING MATTERS:
Flats Survey: It
is proposed to conduct this in late January to early February 2005. Debbie G.
had prepared a draft document and article for use and will provide details in
time for the next BCA General Meeting to be held on 17th January 2005
– BCA will also add the information to their website www.broomwoodvoice.com
New Tenant Visits: A draft and Template for
a Welcome pack has been sent to Paul H. – Joe S. suggested that it would be
good to extend the scheme to all residents moving into property on Broomwood. At
a recent BCA Management meeting the possibility of linking visits to those made
by THT staff had been discussed, when we reviewed this again today it was clear
that it might be rather impractical to do it this way. Some further planning
needs to be done in respect of this. BCA
Newsletter to be used to promote contact with new residents. (Joe S. Paul H.
Debbie G. Grant M) to progress this.
Area Housing Panel to hold an Xmas Social on Thursday 16th December 2004 at Timperley Library Meeting Rooms at 1pm until 3pm this is an event for Focus Groups, representatives and staff - contact Debbie G. on 0161 912 5809 for further details and to book a place.
Joe S. was presented with a Trafford Housing Service cheque value £100 to BCA for the forthcoming over 60’s Annual Christmas Dinner to be held at Broomwood Primary School on Sunday 12th December 2004 – Joe S. thanked Debbie G. and THT for their kind donation, this year there will be about 90 over 60’s attending this event.
Minor Works: Cartmel Drive Area: – Railings are to be erected to better curtail continuing mindless damage and anti-social behaviour of children in that area.
Hartford Gardens: car parking scheme, contractors are due to start work on site – imminent. Greenfield Gardens: improvements to the car parking there have now been implemented, an issue over careless parking was discussed, it was felt that no further action should be taken at this stage. The possibility of providing road markings was an option later perhaps.
RYEFIELD WALK: Porch lighting was now installed and residents were very happy with this work. REDBROOK ROAD: Flats - a shed has already been removed, greatly improving the quality of the general visual presentation there, it is hoped to repeat this removal of sheds especially where there have been instances of vandalism and arson in the past. Fencing and enclosure for wheel bins is also being installed.
MILLOM COURT: improvements to the communal garden there - 4 benches, very good disabled access to an attractive flagged area with water feature enclosed with trellis – will commence 17th December 2004, work to finish in January 2005.
GENERAL: Walkways to blocks of flats are in the course of being upgraded - Joe S. pointed out that there may well be issues of Wheelchair access – Because no residents requiring wheelchairs were existing tenants in those flats it was not thought that this was an issue – relocation of residents needing wheelchairs and assessments for re-housing would take care of any future requirements.
The Proposal to
obtain Charitable status for Trafford Housing Service./
THT was discussed
(Grant M. to forward copy of wording to Marie T. by email).
Joe S. flagged up drainage and parking issues on a grass verge at Redbrook Road: after some discussion it was agreed that this item be entered on Major and Minor Works lists for urgent consideration (£150,000 to be made available in next round compared with £42,000 last year.)
AREA HOUSING PANEL: In view of the need for good representation at the Panel it was restated that Broomwood should if possible be represented at all meetings, it had been noted that ill health had been a factor that had sometimes curtailed attendance in the past, especially when there were no substitute members in reserve.
MINOR WORKS: an article for Broomwoodvoice Newsletter is to be prepared setting out guidelines and priorities (Marie T.)
WALKABOUTS: These are expected to
take place in March.
Graffiti: Dave Dale and Janette Pilkington to be contacted over costings and availability of Graffiti team and machine.
NOTE: Make certain to advise residents to contact Trafford Housing Service Repairs
Section on 0161 912 5823
- Report on this topic next meeting to update. Anti Social behaviour and vandalism appeared to be caused by at least 3 as
yet unidentified individuals, BCA’s 2 noticeboards had both been vandalized on
a very regular basis (a regular costly item) it was reported that BCA intended
to have them beefed up to try and curtail this. It was suggested that the costs
of vandalism be itemized and publicised as a factor in the increase of rents,
costs and services to Broomwood residents.
A.O.B (None)
Reminder of new Opening Hours at Redbrook Road Housing Sub Office:
· MONDAY 9:30am to 12 Noon. (WEDNESDAY NOW VACATED)
·
FRIDAY 9:30am to 12
Noon.
To Be Announced.
GRM - Final Version
– Copy of 24.11.2004