Management Executive South Hackney (MESH)

Minutes of the MESH Panel Meeting
Tuesday 25th May 2010
At Pitcairn Hall at 7pm

PRESENT
Terry Edwards (TE) – Chair MESH: Chair Frampton Park Estate, Norman Davies (ND) Frampton Park Estate, Brian Clubb (BC) – Sherry’s Wharf TRA, Joyce Brown (JB) – Sherry’s Wharf TRA, John Williams (JW) – Chair Gascoyne 2 TRA, Peter Jajua (PJ) – Banister House TRA, A Power (AP) – Aspland & Marcon Court TRA, Joyce Hayward (JH) – Trowbridge Estate, P Barne (PB) - Chair Trowbridge TRA, R Skelton (RS) – Mountford Estate, A Satchell (AS) – Herbert Butler TRA
Observer: Hannah White – Sherry’s Wharf TRA

Cllr Katie Hanson (KH), Shushana Gold (SG) – HH Neighbourhood Service, Humara Qayyum (HQ) – HH Repairs Call Centre Manager, Jim Yeend (JY) – Environmental Services, Cecille Joseph-Godfrey (CJG) – HH Neighbourhood Office.


MINUTES

1. Welcome from the Chair
TE welcomed and thanked everyone for attending and asked everyone to introduce themselves. The meeting was informed that MESH now have a Finance Committee, which will be run by the Executive. Very often decisions have to be made between meetings which makes it difficult to approve spends i.e. if a computer goes down it stands to reason that it will need to be replaced. The Executive Committee would have to make a quick decision as the MESH work would need to be done and wouldn’t be if we have to wait for the next Panel Meeting to get approval.

Apologies were made regarding Item 5 on the Agenda on which it was decided that the item would not be discussed at this meeting.

2. Apologies
Tony Osborne, Chris Tabi, Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cllr Sharon Patrick, Cllr Samantha Lloyd, Tracy Spencer, Joyce Collins.

AD reported that she had contacted the Police for attendance but had not received a reply from them, including no apologies.

TE – Whilst we would always want our Police covering crimes in our Neighbourhood, not communicating is a problem that our Neighbourhood cannot afford. Information costs nothing and we should have regular updates of crimes taking place in the Homerton Wards. As the Police have not been present for some time the problem regarding non-attendance needs to be addressed, one Officer should be spared for our meetings to give statistics; a representative from any of our wards could attend.
TE will contact the Inspector with regards to non-attendance.

3. Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes were approved.

4. Matters Arising
HQ – Re Point 23, the new IT system has not been installed yet.

CJG – Re Wayman Court: the problem has been resolved and the TRA has been informed.

9. Jim Yeend – Environmental Services
JY introduced himself and informed the meeting that:
• The internal cleaning programme was on target with plans to add new services including floor polishing and floor painting.
• Patch review talks are taking place.
• Cleaners are now on their respective patches all day everyday after successful trials on Pitcairn.
• Environmental Services hope to have a spare team for cover.
• The Cleaning Department have a lot of Agency staff: there is now a recruitment drive to take on permanent staff.
• The Grounds Maintenance Programme is on target with each estate receiving tree work, grass cutting, grass restoration and weed control.
• JY announced that their services would be Independently Benchmarked, they would be working with other Service Providers on Housemark (KPI’s – Key Performance Indications).

JB asked if there was anything in the programme to address balcony gullies where water is not draining away properly, Many estates received new flooring on the Decent Homes Programme but have been left with flooring that is worse than previously, water is unable to drain and the water on the ground floor is unable to drain.
HQ asked for the details in order to rectify the situation.

JH informed that a couple of areas in Cawsley Way on the Trowbridge Estate needed gardening attention.

TE asked if letters had gone out regarding tenants dragging split rubbish bags along balconies and stairs, which caused infestations and oil marks.

JB added that this was a big problem especially as maggots have been seen on balcony’s and the household waste that is left on balcony’s has caused mouse infestation and squirrels ripping sacks apart. Tom Hunt had informed in a previous MESH meeting that residents if possible should take a photograph of any dumped household rubbish which may cause infestation and to tell the cleaner who would then dispose of the rubbish. A procedure needs to be followed which includes letters going out to the residents first. This procedure would take time whereby infestation has already happened. Our estates need a quick solution to the problem.

JY – That procedure is not in place now, although photographic evidence can help.

AS – One of our areas has fly tippers and when reported it was found that the cameras had not picked up the culprit, not even picking up the car registration.

SG – If cleaners continue to immediately take rubbish away then some tenants will keep thinking its ok to behave in this way.

JY – Enforcement is applied when dumped rubbish is identified, i.e. name and address details are found amongst rubbish.

JB - That is mainly bulk rubbish, not household waste.

TE – It is often the same people that trail rubbish time after time. We pay full rates and extras so something needs to be done about this situation. A procedure for both bulk and household waste is long overdue.

JB asked where can the procedure be found with regards to the types of rubbish when it needs to be removed.
JY will look into this.

ND complained that on FPE planting had taken place but there was no watering of the plants.
JY will look into this.

ND asked if anyone had enquired about the contractors keys he had found on Trowbridge Estate.

Jim Yeend leaves the meeting at 7.40pm.

Terry Edwards – Presentation ‘Housing Management Services’ ‘The Future’
The presentation was a Powerpoint presentation along with relevant papers which enabled the meeting to follow the presentation point by point. The presentation was regarding the Neighbourhood Office going back in-house. Earlier consultation had taken place but as objections were lodged stating that HH had not given sufficient consultation, HH are re-running the consultation process to be sure that residents have had proper consultation throughout the borough.

TE asked that any feedback be directed to MESH it would then be forwarded to Malcolm Brewer.

JB – Stressed the importance of delegates explaining the process to their relevant TRA’s

ND when questioning what difference the changes will make to residents TE directed the meeting to the handout ‘Overall Benefits’ page.

KH contributed by adding that in house staff now have clear advantages, cleaners now get better conditions and pay and residents would rather have in-house services. Residents feel better services are being met by being run by non-profit organisations.

TE agreeing with KH that profits can now be paid out in wages.

ND asked what day-to-day changes?

HQ suggested that there is some loss of control when using different contractors but now when attending the Neighbourhood Office problems can be resolved easier.

TE – Recently, Homerton came top in rent collection and resident participation, this makes it difficult for Hackney Council to do a better job now than the contractor (Mouchel) did and as long as there is a smooth transition this will be good for Homerton.

SG – At the beginning residents may not notice many changes, but there will be the same staff in the office and residents views will be taken into account on delivery of services.

TE reiterated to members the importance to getting back to MESH with their views. There is soon to be a Special Meeting of MESH regarding the TSA, which is the overall body for monitoring all social housing. This is tenants power.

The MESH Website has had 57,000 hits from all over the world.

7. Shushana Gold – Hackney Homes – Neighbourhood Office
• The cycle of 184 walkabouts has concluded.
• Property services are looking at a well-attended wish list.
• Daytime meetings had resumed on 30 April 2010, attended by senior managers and TRA Chairs and is held every six weeks.
• CJG holds less formal meetings with TRA’s and would be very happy to meet up when necessary.
• Tenants audits are taking place with removal of squatters to ensure there are the right people in properties. There is full confidentiality for any information received relating to illegal subletting.
• At Marion Court there had been squatting in a lot of the empty properties. HH have now evicted those people from three flats.
• Ways into Work Project – in partnership with HH and LBH to help residents get into work, back into work and training with over a 100 residents referred. The Project can assist anyone with CV’s, jobs, education, and debt advice. Presentations can also be delivered at TRA meetings.

SG asked members if there were any questions.

JH – how many parking permits have been given for the Trowbridge Estate.
CJG to inform her.

JB – How do we move forward with Low Level ASB.
SG – ASB Roadshows are taking place all over the borough, HH has a new Out of Hours Service and the Neighbourhood office staff deals with Low Level ASB’s.

JB felt that parents of any low level ASB should be contacted and warned that it is their duty to know what their children are up to. Small children are left outside to play, are their parents doors open? No! Are the parents keeping an eye on what the children are doing? No! All too often it is residents in other flats that are undertaking the parents role by checking they are alright through their windows, it’s not right.

CJG to take details regarding a private bungalow on Brentworth Way that is let to students where the students are making lots of noise and depriving the neighbours of sleep.

TE informed that a knife had been drawn on a contractor on FPE and wanted to know what about HC’s Estate Warden Scheme adding that FPE is very hard to police as it is such a big estate.

KH – There are street wardens who patrol all streets. She added that ASB is rife as there had recently been two shootings at London Fields and knives pulled on residents.
KH would find out about estate wardens.

TE has had first-hand knowledge of Wardens, our estate paid for wardens to work here, they interacted very well with the estate residents, and reduced ASB dramatically.

JB – At one time the neighbourhood office were looking into using Street Wardens but nothing came of it, stating that she believed that wardens would be a definite way forward.

The Trowbridge members were happy with their estate as they did not have a lot of trouble and residents get along with their police.

ND – Who do you telephone when youths play football at 1am in the morning making a lot of noise?
SG – There is an ASB Out of Hours Service that you can telephone.

TE informed the meeting there is to be a Trident, Gun Crime Prevention meeting taking place; the Wick Sergeant would be opening the meeting on Wednesday 26th May (tomorrow) at 7pm at Gascoyne 2 Social Club. All Hackney Residents were invited to participate.

8 &11. Humara Qayyum – Head Repairs Centre
The Planned Maintenance Team has given her a Handout, which explains what is happening over the next quarter.

The Repairs presentation included:
• An in-house DLO Team had been trained in maintenance of Gerda Door Locks and an Out of Hours service has now been provided. She explained that pensioners who lost their keys would not be charged, but a fee would apply for re-occurrence of lost keys.
• A team was training to maintain the new PVC windows.
• There were new trained assessors for minor adaptations for pensioners, i.e. handrails, stair-rails, etc., as part of the repair service, this can be seen as a benefit to pensioners as they would no longer have to go through HC Occupational Therapy Team.
• Looking at why some tenants never request repairs.
• There is an Outreach service.
• Installation of the IT system.
• Pilot system re: customer profiling.
• If residents have a disability, tell us how we can help.

BC – Why have tenants not been notified that the out of hours operatives are not attending certain jobs in particular Boiler repairs to pensioners homes unless the temperature outside is below 0ºC when their central heating is not working.

JB – Had had reason to telephone to report a broken boiler. She asked the operative if they were trained in meteorology, and was answered that they go by the temperature given on the weather site. JB then asked the operative what the temperature was next to Hackney Marshes. As no answer could be given JB stated that the rules in place were ridiculous. It was placing the sick & frail at a disadvantage, which makes that rule of non-attendance very dangerous, which could have dire consequences to our elderly.

TE asked who had made this decision as residents pay a lot for their heating and it is a ridiculous scenario especially when heating is turned off in communal heating properties.

HQ – The Out of Hours Service is being reviewed tomorrow. There are two separate services: there is the Repairs Service and the Emergency Services.

BC – On weekend callouts which number do you call when there is flooding from a leased property that belongs to a Housing Association which is an empty property. He believed the Neighbourhood Office holds the names and numbers of those properties and thought that as the TRA’s are not privy to that information it can make it extremely difficult for estate reps at weekends and out of hours to deal with emergency repairs in those situations.
SG to inform at next meeting.

KH – Subletting is illegal if renting a council property. Subletting by leaseholder is allowed.

HQ– Maybe HH should look into some partnership/agreement with Housing Associations.

TE – HC should have a duty of care to deal with dangerous situations like two tenants residing on either side of a leaseholder and the leaseholder does not have a well-maintained boiler.

HQ – Fire risk assessments are also to be discussed at the Out of Hours Service meeting. She reminded members that Carbon Monoxide detectors are fitted at each gas check.

JH – Had been told that pensioner’s repairs are attended to within 24 hours.
HQ – Jobs are undertaken as to vulnerability.

JH- A tenant had telephoned regarding condensation in-between the double-glazing and was told they should not telephone the repair service for this job.
HQ – The Call Centre has call recording so residents should let her know when they are given incorrect information.

JH – It was agreed last year that heating should not be turned off and provided evidence Minuted from a 2008 MESH meeting. One-bedroom properties have blow out heating and there is a wheel that can be turned to regulate the heating when it is too hot.

HQ – Perhaps we should attend at all one-bedroom properties with blow out heating and inspect and maintain the wheel and inform residents of its use. There should be an induction for new lets to new tenants.

KH – Heating costs are spread out over the whole year to save higher costs in the winter months when it is colder. She will raise residents issues with the Wick Ward Councillors.

TE – If residents use gas they should be entitled to know how much the gas costs in the property, also having the right to turn it off and save their money, there should be fairer information available.

JB – Residents should be entitled to know how it works as we cannot see how many Therms are being used. It doesn’t matter who the service provider is. We need to know how the points system that is used across the borough which apparently prices the Communal Heating has relevance to the cost but we do not have that information.
SG will forward the complaints to the relevant department.

TE – HC buy the gas and then told HH to put charges up. Gas prices are going down but we the residents still see gas prices going up every year.

KH – Any resident in her ward can go to her for help and she will try and get a reply to their queries.

PB – If a resident is receiving a basic pension can they get a rebate?

JB – The hiked charges that the Council set is above the increase of the OAP Pensions.

TE – Communal heating had been bought in by the GLC as a low cost alternative for heating, but it is ridiculous that Pitcairn residents are being charged £25.13 per week.

Chairs Report
MESH Officers have undertaken TSA training and have been on an Asset Management one-day course run by HQN. (Housing Quality Network)

JB to SG – Is there money available for the OAP decorating Programme.

SG – There is a programme working alongside Property Services whose criteria include the elderly and disabled. If there is an able-bodied person resident this work will not be offered. There are no details regarding this year’s budget as yet.

JH – Her Blue Badge had been stolen and she had asked for a Companion Badge but was told that she cannot have a Companion Badge unless the person who drives her around lives at her address. She is bewildered at this as she lives alone and does not own a car. Can someone please advise her.

KH – The criteria is set with the Department of Transport. Also a Companion Badge only can be used in the borough you live in. She will speak with Wick Ward Councillors regarding this issue.

12. MESH Meeting Dates
Tuesday 27th July
Tuesday 28th September
Tuesday 23rd November
Tuesday 25th January 2011
Tuesday 22nd March 2011 AGM

TE closed the meeting at 9.15pm