Standard Items
1
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
You have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in a matter to be discussed if it relates to something on your Register of Interests form. You must declare the interest and leave the room while the matter is dealt with.
You have a Personal Interest in a matter to be discussed if it affects
• your well being or financial position
• that of your family or close friends
• that of a club or society in which you have a management role
• that of another public body of which you are a member to a greater extent than others in your ward.
You must declare a personal interest but can speak and vote on the matter.
Whenever you declare an interest you must say why the interest arises, so that it can be included in the minutes.
1
There were no declarations of interest given at the meeting.
To note the Code of Conduct.
2
Forum members noted the code of conduct.
3
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
To receive any apologies for absence.
3
Apologies for absence were received from Peter Nichols and Jaime McGarrity.
To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2014.
4
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2014 were confirmed.
5
MATTERS ARISING
To consider any matters arising from the above minutes.
5
There were no matters arising which were not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
It was noted that apologies from Peter Burrage, Peter Nichols and Karin Watt had not been recorded in the minutes.
6
ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
A voting paper is attached at the back of the agenda.
6
Nominations had been received from Christine McDonald, Jaime McGaritty and Peter Burrage.
Following a vote, it was RESOLVED:
That Christine McDonald be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Tenant Forum for a term of two years.
7
GYN LIAISON BOARD
Please complete the Expression of Interest form at the back of the agenda.
7
The Community Development Manager explained the difference between the GYN Liaison Board and the GYN Board.
Nomination forms for election to the GYN Liaison Board were submitted by interested Forum members.
All nominated members addressed the Forum and explained why they wished to be nominated to the GYN Liaison Board.
Following a vote, it was RESOLVED:
That Christine McDonald and Reg Taylor be elected as Forum members to the GYN Liaison Board.
Non-Members are asked to complete the attached form if they wish to be co-opted on to the Forum.
It was noted that no nomination forms were received for co-option to the Forum.
9
GYCH FORUM STRATEGIC PLAN
The Forum are asked to suggest an annual priority for 2015.
9
The Community Development Manager reported the background behind the request for an annual priority for the Forum during 2015. This would not exclude other issues which arose during the year on an ad-hoc basis.
The following annual priorities were suggested for the Forum to progress during 2015:
(i) the formation of a Youth Forum
(ii) to stage a Recruitment Drive
Forum members were keen to stage a recruitment drive, especially in areas of the Borough where there was no tenant involvement.
The Chairman reminded the Forum that the Rural North TARA would be willing to use its caravan for this purpose but that funding would be required to provide a suitable towing vehicle and relevant insurances.
It was suggested that the Forum contact the Ward Councillors to see if they could offer funding from their Ward Budgets.
John Watt reported that he would pass his Motorbility contact details to Nigel Gallant who had suggested that a tow bar could be fixed to his vehicle to tow the caravan, if this was allowed.
Councillor Linden requested that the Vice-Chairman write an article for the Tenant's Newsletter outlining why she wanted to be a tenant representative to inspire other tenants to become involved.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Chairman write to all the Councillors asking for funding towards the Tenant Recruitment drive.
(ii) That a Tenant Recruitment Drive be nominated as the Strategic Objective for the Tenant Forum during 2015.
10
GYBC VISIONING
Forum members to consider ideas to contribute to the Vision.
10
The Community Development Manager gave a brief verbal report of the work undertaken by the Council's Transformation Team.
The Forum felt that they should have been involved more fully in the Council's Transformation process as the needs of tenants and the future of social housing in the Borough were extremely important.
RESOLVED:
That the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods be informed that the Forum wish to be fully involved in the Council's Transformation Programme.
11
REPORTS AND UPDATES
- GYCH Board
- Communications Group
- Foster Liaison Group
- Scrutiny
- General Meetings
11
- GYCH Board - no update available
- Communications Group - more input/articles from the Forum required.
- Foster Liaison Group - next meeting to be held on 16 December 2014 at 2 pm.
- Scrutiny - next meeting to be held on 10 December 2014.
- General Meetings - Please contact Hilary Rickwood if you are unable to attend a meeting and give your apologies. Paperwork can then be e-mailed to you to keep you in the loop.
12
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
To consider any other business as may be determined by the Chairman of the meeting as being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration.
12
A Forum member submitted a copy of a Solar Panel report for information. A copy would be sent to the Director of Housing & Neighbourhoods and a copy would be sent out with the minutes.
13
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Forum will be held on Wednesday, 4 February 2015 at 5.30 pm in the Town Hall.
13
The next Forum meeting would be held on Wednesday, 4 February 2015 at 5.30 pm in the Town Hall.