Minutes of Federation Meeting
Monday 11th November 2013 at 7 p.m.
In Norton Park Conference Centre
Present:
Birnies Court Tenants Association:
Betty Stevenson
Joe Stevenson
Matthew Miller
Calders Residents Association:
Sammy Arfang Ndow Davies
East Pilton Crewe Tenants Residents Group:
Donald McDonald
Elizabeth Maginnis Residents Group:
Emma Farrell
Rosemarie Hamilton
Tilly Farrell
Granton, Royston, Wardieburn Residents Association:
Graeme Gairns
Rahel McKay
Hailesland Park Neighbourhood Council:
Gary Brown
Mary Bryant
Jean Doig
Ian Herschall
George Martin
Lorna Martin
Liz Noble
Glynis Rintoul
Lorna Tweedie
Maud Wylie
Hyvot and Moredun Residents Association:
Derek Colvin
Anne Langford
Joyce Burns
Eileen Jeffrey
Edna Munro
Stuart Scott
Louise Young
Madelvic Square Residents Association:
John Hume
Maidencraig Court Residents Association:
Isabel Adams
Carol Woodward
Harry Woodward
Moredun 4 Multies Residents Association:
Derek Thomson
Nichollfield Tenants and Residents Association:
Matt Wheatley
Edinburgh Tenants Federation Norton Park 57 Albion Road Edinburgh EH7 5QY
0131 475 2509 [email protected] www.edinburghtenants.org.uk
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North Sighthill Residents Association:
Brian Cant
Oxgangs Central Residents Association:
Maureen Jarvis
Quarries Residents Association:
Bryan Pitbladdo
Carol Whittingham
Redbraes Residents Association:
Davie Thomson
Restalrig and Lochend House Residents Association:
Ralph Black
Southhouse and Burdiehouse Residents Organisation:
Lynne Tait
Top Blocks Residents Association:
Madge Bold
Lorraine Pritchard
Scott Tait
Individual tenants:
Ronnie Anderson
Yolanda Fernandes
Jan Mawdsley
Nancy Norton
Kelly Fernandes
Irena Lazerenko
Norma McKendrick
Michelle Penman
Grace Campbell
Adam Hunter
Ken McKay
Morag Patterson
Guest Speaker – John Hanlin, ScottishFire and Rescue Service
In attendance:
Justine Bradd
Clare MacGillivray
1.
Mary Cockburn
Mark Henry
Welcome
Betty Stevenson welcomed everyone to the meeting. She apologised for the
taxis that had not arrived on time.
Betty explained that our Guest Speaker, John Hanlin, is on call so may have
to leave the meeting early.
2.
Apologies
Sheila Rutherford-McCallum
Terry Kirby
Keith Dyson
Breda Kirby
Karen McArdle
John Abercrombie
George Pitcher
Cait Ni Cadlaig
John Aitken
Janette Nathaniel
John Fairgrieve
Tom Nathaniel
Margaret Dunn
Laichfield Community Association
Sarah Jane Juner
John Adams
Maureen Millar
Coatfield Lane and Giles Street Residents Association
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Cables Wynd House Residents Association
3.
Minutes of 2/9/13
Proposed as a true record of the meeting by Ken McKay and seconded by
Maud Wylie. Agreed.
4.
Matters Arising
Item 6 last paragraph, an explanation of Abeyances was requested.
Maureen Jarvis explained that this was properties where it is not possible to
bring them up to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) either
because it is not viable or too expensive to do the work or in mixed tenure
buildings where the majority are owners who cannot be forced into
contributing to; for example; the installation of a door entry system in low
rise blocks. Owners of High Rise Blocks properties have a clause in their
deeds that ensures they contribute to the cost of work in common areas.
A tenant raised an issue with properties in South Queensferry – Maureen
agreed to speak to the tenant at the end of the meeting.
Betty handed over to our guest speaker:
5.
Guest Speaker
John Hanlin of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service introduced himself.
John explained that he met Betty Stevenson in the spring and felt that the
two organisations could help each other to promote fire safety and thereby
ensuring that more people are aware of fire risks.
John informed the meeting that each fire station operates under a four
watch rota and that as well as attending incidents they carry out home
safety visits at the request of tenants, give advice and fit smoke detectors,
amongst other duties. They also work with other agencies to assist people
with for example hearing or walking difficulties. They work closely with the
police and the Council. Station staff will visit tenements, high rise blocks
and if there is a fire risk from articles left in the stair then they will work
with the Council to get these removed. They will deal with fire regulations
in particular landlords’ responsibilities and will talk to landlords to try and
get them to follow these rules but they will use the law if landlords do not
comply.
Since the meeting between ETF and the Fire Service there have been
changes in the structure of the Fire Service and John has moved to cover
the area from West Cramond to Fairmilehead. He is looking to work with
Registered Tenants’ Organisations (RTOs) in Edinburgh as are his colleagues
from other areas. He takes fire safety very seriously but will try to deal with
issues in a sensitive manner. He hopes people here will act as friendly
contacts with their neighbours who may not approach the fire service
directly for help.
John thanked everyone for their time and attention and left his contact
details for anyone interested in getting in touch.
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Betty invited questions for John:John was asked how people with difficulties are identified?. He explained
that they are identified through other agencies, information is gathered and
a suitable package is drawn up. This may include things like smoke
detectors linked to a flashing light or a vibrating sleep pad.
John asked if people would be willing to arrange and attend visits to elderly
neighbours for his staff.
John was asked about flytipping outside housing as it is very difficult to get
the Council to collect things left adjacent to the bin area. John replied that
the Fire Service can work with the Council to get items removed and have
the authority to enforce removal using the Civic Government Act.
John was asked if the Fire Service deal with floods. John replied they do but
that they have limited resources and need to prioritise; they will deal with
domestic incidents before business ones.
John agreed to be available for people to discuss issues with at the end of
the meeting.
Betty thanked John for his time and presentation.
6.
Progress Report July to September 2013
Brian Cant stated that the progress report is very informative about the
number of meetings attended but gives very little about any progress made
at these meetings.
Clare MacGillivray agreed this was a good point and that the progress report
does not say what difference this work is making or what decisions tenants
have influenced. The Federation is reviewing these reports and trying to
develop a new method of informing people on what is happening. She
asked that anyone interested in having input to this contact the Federation
office.
Harry Woodward agreed that it is difficult to get updates on aspects that are
important to tenants and there needs to be outcomes shown so progress is
noted.
Clare stated that a meeting to discuss this had been arranged but had to be
cancelled as she was off sick and no one had expressed an interest in
attending. Comments she has received on the progress report include
“really long and boring”. She is happy to set up a meeting to discuss this if
there enough interest.
Brian Cant stated that the Federation should be making comments on the
proposed rent increase by the Council and asked what is happening after
2015 when the SHQS surcharge is meant to cease.
Betty replied that it was noted at the conference in October that no-one
wanted the rent increase but that this is still only a proposal which the
Federation will fight and added that there has been no new information on
this from the council.
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Maureen Jarvis stated that the Council ran roadshows on this through local
offices but some of the information they had showed the wrong figures. She
feels that the Council should be getting in touch with RTOs.
Clare added that the Council is consulting through January to April 2014 on
a rent strategy for 2015 and beyond and need to better involve tenants in
the process. There may be a conference in April with the proposals going to
the full council in June. It was noted that the recent Council roadshows
were poorly attended but that this was due to there not being a budget
given for this therefore not much publicity could be done.
Betty felt that the open day at the local office in her area was a success.
Harry Woodward stated that everyone knows that the Bedroom Tax is
having a huge effect on income and pointed out that the council’s rents in
Edinburgh are much higher than anywhere else in Scotland. He also said
that the intention by the Council to increase rents is not being publicised
properly and the Council are asking tenants what services the council should
cut but are not asking if people want a rent increase. ETF has already made
this point to the Council
Betty stated that she feels the Council should be chasing previous arrears
more vigorously and that she doesn’t want a rent increase. Brian asked if
Betty meant that there should be no increase in rents at all. Betty clarified
that although she would love for there to be no increase the Council will
likely increase rents by the rate of inflation plus 2.7%.
The Progress Report was proposed for acceptance by the meeting by Madge
Bold and seconded by Maureen Jarvis. Agreed.
7.
Any Other Business
Matt Wheatley informed the meeting of a public meeting on the Council’s
budget setting process being held in Meadowbank Sports Centre on 22nd
November.
8.
Date of next meeting
This will be confirmed by the Executive Committee next week but it was
noted that there may be some extra meetings called. Notification of future
meetings will be sent out in due course.
Betty then thanked everyone for attending, hoped they would all enjoy the quiz
and closed the meeting.
Mary Cockburn
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