MINUTES OF COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP MEETING

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 12th MAY 1999 AT 12.30PM
IN N.I.T.A.P. HEADQUARTERS, BALLYMENA.

 

PRESENT	B. Holmes S. McNally M. Watt A. Park L. McCann K. McClatchey S. Flynn M. McKeown D. Farrell J. McKinney M. Kelly D. McGivern G. McClintock S. Graham W. Erwin	N.I.T.A.P. N.I.T.A.P N.I.T.A.P South East South South Belfast North East North East South West South East West N.I.H.E. N.I.H.E.

 

APOLOGIES	A. McCrossan M. Cox A. Smart C. McElhatton J. Lilley P. Barr S. Burns D. Bass	Belfast South East North East Disability Action N.I.H.E. West Belfast N.I.H.E.

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MINUTE		ACTION/DATE

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1.0	PRE MEETING
1.1	Concern was expressed that the paperwork that was to have been available 10 days in advance of meetings was not available and that it was very difficult for C.A.G. members to prepare thoroughly.
1.2	In addition to papers not being received it was felt that a number of leaflets and documents which C.A.G. would expect to have the opportunity to comment on have been published without coming to C.A.G. - of particular concern was a Funding/Community bulletin where information was out of date.
1.3	The issue of car parking in Belfast was raised as a difficulty for C.A.G. members - it was noted to refer to N.I.H.E. to investigate the possibility of making a number of spaces available for C.A.G. meetings in Belfast.
1.4	The question of slippage of programmed schemes was raised by S. Flynn who felt that the reasons for such are not always clear - to be raised at Area C.A.G.
1.5	The question of joint purchases was raised, in view of the White Paper for G.B. - it was agreed to raise with Dr. J. McPeake re: future of house sales.
2.0	MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
2.1	Agreed as an accurate record.
3.0	MATTERS ARISING
3.1	C.I.N.N.I. Project - W. Erwin reported that a number of pages/items are being considered for inclusion. It was further noted that some groups have fallen out of the scheme but that it was hoped that all would be signed up by the end of May. D. Bass will confirm content and format.	D. Bass/N.I.H.E.
3.2	Sexual Offences Against Children - S. Graham reported that the main interest to N.I.H.E. relates principally to Homeless Policy and that the Tenant Involvement Structure is available for consultation purposes.
3.3	Community Insurance - Relevant paperwork circulated to all members.
3.4	Tenants Charter - still awaiting Ministerial approval.
3.5	Heating Policy - W. Erwin reported that the policy review is not complete within the original timescale. W. Erwin further reported that discussions are ongoing in relation to the District Heating in Belfast and that its future will be considered within the economic appraisal for the Heating Policy. When there is clarity with regard to the future of District Heating, it will come to C.A.G. as well as to all tenants affected.
3.6	Commercial Property in Ballee - W. Erwin informed M. McKeown that there is a preferred buyer - it seems that this was already public knowledge locally. S. Graham pointed out that commercial properties are not part of the Landlord Services Department and that information is not always readily available.
3.7	Hazelbank - This issue is being dealt with by Area and District Managers. W. Erwin will provide a jargon free policy update for the next meeting on land sale/disposition - problems and issues arise around best value and community development concerns.	W. Erwin
3.8	Community Base Workshops - as per progress notes. B. Holmes reported that a number of issues and concerns have been raised with regard to workshops by District Managers. W. Erwin reported that these have been dealt with.
3.9	Estate Line - Nothing further in the way of progress.	D. Bass
3.10	Lease - W. Erwin confirmed that discussions have been ongoing with Legal Services Department and the District Office where an issue has arisen around the identification of trustees as per a group's constitution. W. Erwin will send out a copy of the guidance note prepared for District Managers to all C.A.G. members. Information to be faxed to B. Holmes on 13th May 1999.	W. Erwin
3.11	Decanting - S. Graham offered a number of comments on the points raised by C.A.G. members; in addition consideration is being given to other mechanisms associated with decanting and these will be outlined to C.A.G. as and when information is available.	N.I.H.E.
3.12	Neighbourhood Renewal Project - S. Graham reported that a framework for such a model is being developed which will incorporate estate strategies, intensive management etc. As details are available they will be presented to C.A.G.
3.13	S. Graham confirmed that Corporate Plan update not available until September.	T. Greene
4.0	WORKING GROUPS
4.1	Tenant Levy - has not met though it is noted that the original proposal has not been dropped.
4.2	Tenant Training - nothing to report.
4.3	Community Association Conference - paper circulated with an Action Plan - all members should forward comments etc. to B. Holmes by Friday 21st May 1999. It was agreed that the deadline for all entries will be Friday 9th July 1999. The Working Group will ensure all information etc. and targets are aimed to meeting that date.	All
4.4	Millennium Conference - noted that N.I.T.A.P. Management Committee have approved and that N.I.T.A.P., C.A.G. and N.I.H.E. will work on this initiative jointly.
4.6	Rural Housing Working Group - still awaiting information for Group Repairs Scheme.	N.I.H.E.
4.7	Handbook Group - due to meet at the end of May.
4.8	Anti-Social Behaviour - as per progress. Note - protocol is with R.U.C. S. Graham circulated copies of protocol.
5.0	A.C.E. SCHEMES - FUTURE WITHOUT
5.1	Meeting took place between N.I.T.A.P./C.A.G./N.I.H.E. L. McCann gave a presentation on the current issues facing local communities relating to the demise of A.C.E. as was and the future arrangements under 'New Deal'.
5.2	It was felt that even now there is a lack of information and clarity as to how the new arrangements will work.
5.3	It is recognised that certain services that were previously available on N.I.H.E. Estates are no longer available to the same extent and that there may be a range of mechanisms that could be established to replace these. It was agreed that a Group consisting of L. McCann, B. Holmes and relevant N.I.H.E. Staff meet to discuss possible options. W. Erwin will convene a meeting to discuss likely ways forward.	W. Erwin
6.0	BEST VALUE REVIEW OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
6.1	B. Holmes welcomed Dr. J. McPeake from N.I.H.E. Development Division who outlined the current review of commercial property owned by N.I.H.E. A paper outlining the issues was distributed, following the discussion at this meeting all C.A.G. members should forward comments and observations to B. Holmes by the end of May.	All
6.2	To provide some background information, a paper will be distributed outlining the results of the continous Tenant Omnibus Survey on tenants shopping behaviour on estates.
6.3	M. McKeown welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the forthcoming discussion but felt that the running of commercial property has not been an accessible part of N.I.H.E. operation. J. McPeake welcomed comments from C.A.G. members which demonstate where problems have arisen and where communities have a bad experience of the operation of the service. With respect to particular concerns J. McPeake will follow these up directly with relevant staff member and forward information through B. Holmes.	J. McPeake
6.4	It was felt that commercial property on estates represents a major social function and there has been a lack of local community involvement in its' operation resulting in a lack of awareness of this service and mystery in implementation of policy.
7.0	CONSULTATION STANDARDS USER GUIDE
7.1	W. Erwin reported that a summary paper and an updated user guide will be forwarded to C.A.G. and to the Area Managers with the intention of seeking comments on the fine tuning of the Users Guide as a whole.	W. Erwin
8.0	AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
8.1	Security of empty properties :   - securing   - Removal of Services/household goods.
9.0	ANY OTHER BUSINESS
9.1	Executive Briefings - April copies are not yet available. W. Erwin confirmed that the report from the March Board will be dispatched this week.	W. Erwin
9.2	Rent Increase - S. Graham outlined the position of N.I.H.E. with regards to the rent increase imposed annually by government.
9.3	Interpretation Services for Ethnic Minority Customers - a copy of the document will be sent out with the minutes.	N.I.T.A.P.
9.4	Community Bulletin - W. Erwin reported that the intention would be to produce six such news sheets annually. It was agreed that all information needed to be accurate and up to date. B. Holmes suggested that N.I.H.E. staff contact N.I.T.A.P. Funding Officer.
9.5	Area C.A.G. Action Plan - a copy of the plan was distributed. All C.A.G. members should pass comments on to B. Holmes by Friday 21st May 1999.	All
10.0	DATE OF NEXT MEETING
10.1	The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9th June 1999 at 12.30pm in N.I.H.E. Headquarters, Belfast.

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