Subject - Resident Contractor (Gleeson) Liaison Notes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 16th July 2008

Posted : (Thursday 24th July 2008 ) By - jess (Registered User)

Resident Contractor (Gleeson) Liaison
Notes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 16th July 2008

Joseph Noi (JN)
Housing Market Renewal Team

Tracy McNulty (TMc)
Housing Market Renewal Team

Residents:
Ms. B. Kelly (BK)
Ms. C. Leonard (CL)
Ms. J. Turner (JT)
Mr.W. Maile (WM)
Ms. M.Maile (MM)
Ms.E.White (EW)
Mr.W.Hoang (WH)
Ms.M.Sullivan (MS)

Item
Note
1.0
Apologies received from Karen Thornhill (Gleeson Homes).

2.0
Action Points from the previous meeting on the 25th June.

2.1
Item 2.4:A discussion took place regarding the proposed resident party. WM/MM: Were concerned that although the proposed party was to be held in the Pocket Park the tenants living in the properties bordering the park hadn’t been consulted or invited. It maybe a good idea but people could feel excluded. JN: Had stressed on several occasions that if a party was to be held then it should be inclusive for all tenants/owner occupiers on the new development. BK: Felt that the idea for a thank you party had been raised initially by residents from Capella Drive and Falconwood Way and it had been intended purely for the residents from that Phase.JN: Appreciated that the concept had been raised originally as a “thank you” party from residents to Gleeson/HMR, but if we expanded this to include a resident welcome party then it would be a good opportunity for residents from different phases of the Gleeson development to get together. CL: Was already under the impression that the party would be for all new residents. TMc: Felt that no firm decisions had been made.

JN: Jane Jackson had volunteered to manage and coordinate the party and the basis was for an inclusive party for the residents on the Gleeson development,it was not feasible to hold a resident party on the Pocket Park, which didn’t include residents living nearby. However if residents from Capella Drive.Falconwood Way area wanted to organise a party in their courtyard that would be their decision, but it was to be hoped that they would want to be a part of any party organised for the wider group of residents.

The group agreed that they would go forward on the basis of a residents party to be held in the Pocket Park if possible and JN would speak with Jane Jackson to see if we could get the flyer sent out to all the residents.

2.2
Item 2.5:Residents wanted to go ahead with the children’s trip as discussed at the last meeting. JN: will speak to Jane Jackson to see if it can be progressed

2.3
Item 3.8:JN had requested VPS to clear any litter or dumped items from the plot on Blackrock St.

2.4
Item 4.1:CL was annoyed that she hadn’t had a date for her move yet as the 6-week delay period would be up next week. TMc: Understands and sympathises with the frustration caused to residents, but it is something outside HMR control. She would chase up and see if we can get a firm date and would include any new information to be sent out with the minutes of this meeting.

2.5
Item 4.4:BK The Street Environment manager had called at her home and explained what actions were taken to deal with fly tipping. There had been no further instances up to now.

2.6
Item 4.5:JN would chase up with Karen Thornhill

2.7
Item 5.1:JN would ask Karen if this site could be levelled and tidied if it is not to be built on in the near future.

3.0
Queries Raised

3.1
WM/MM: Complained that most of the items on the snagging list for their house had not been completed. They had been in their property 18 months and were becoming increasingly frustrated and were reluctantly contemplating legal action. Both Eastlands and Gleeson were fully informed of the situation. A copy of the snagging list was provided to JN & TMc who would send a copy to Joanne Casson the Eastlands housing officer. JN would raise at the next contract meeting and also with Karen Thornhill.BK; Had also reported some snags to Eastlands but nobody had rectified them as yet.

3.2
WM/MM: Stated that they had damage to their lino and carpet done by Gleeson staff when they had visited her home. JN: Asked if they had reported to Gleeson as they would have to discuss this with them. WM/MM had done this. JN would also inform Karen Thornhill.

3.3
BK: Was concerned as the engineer who fitted her stairlift thought that the electric connections in her kitchen were not to present-day regulations. She had reported this to Eastlands.

3.4
MM/WM: Also pointed out the following complaints:
Contractors vehicles are parking on the pavements- blocking it for pedestrians, (Photo taken)
Poor drainage outside 51 – 55 Bell Crescent resulting in overflow when it rains (Photo taken)
Poor drainage at the new junction with Ashton Old Rd
Contractors using stone cutting equipment at 8am on a Sunday morning and before 8am on other mornings.
These complaints will be raised at the contractors meeting.

3.5
JT: Complained that her house (1Gillingham) sometimes shook as the demolition process was carried out and the sooner she moved the better see item 2.4.

3.6
WM/MM: Did not see why properties like theirs should pay the £5.50 per week maintenance charge for electric gates, courtyards etc. They had also been told that some residents had received a rebate. JN: This should be raised at the first instance with their Housing Officer at Eastlands.

3.6
MS/EW: Asked about the time scale for the change of tenancy and moving, also if Eastlands had a similar insurance scheme to the City Councils and if rent was in excess at the time of moving would it be transferable to Eastlands.TMc would discuss with tenants and work with them to make the removal process as smooth as possible. They would normally sign for the keys to the new property on a Friday after which the tenancy would commence the following Monday. Any rent in excess would be transferable to the tenancy with Eastlands, who also run a similar insurance scheme to MCC; they could speak to Joanne Casson about this when they sign up for the new property.

3.7
CL: Complained that the demolition process had caused a problem with mice which she had treated, TMc offered to contact Pest Control but CL had resolved the problem for the time being and hoped she would be moving soon.

3.8
WM/MM: Had been approached by some Guinness Trust tenants at another meeting. They said they have been told that Guinness have 21 properties available on this development and some of them will not be offered a new property. They feel this is in contradiction to what they have been told previously, and asked if they could have clarification on what the position is. JN: Could not comment on discussions they have had with Guinness Northern Counties Housing Association. However residents are welcome to attend this meeting and JN will inform Guinness Northern Counties that some of their tenants will be attending the next meeting and get some clarification on what the position is.

3.9
WM: Asked if any council tax arrears were taken out of their homeloss compensation payment. TMc:Only rent arrears were taken out.

4.0
Any Other Business

4.1
JN is meeting with an MCC waste recycling officer and the Gleeson Quantity Surveyor this Friday to agree siting of the recycling bins for the courtyard behind Capella Drive/Falconwood Way.WM commented that some residents had had a survey about recycling requirements for the area.

6.0
Next Meeting
2pm Tuesday 19th August

Note
Re: Item 2.4 – Gleeson have informed us that tenants will be able to move into these properties from August 8th.