26th April 2006
Voting Members in Attendance
M Dingwall (Chair)
S Braham (Vice Chair)
S Allen
J Bird (Staff Board Member)
V Evans
K Johnson
H Spence
N Wilde
S Braham (Vice Chair)
S Allen
J Bird (Staff Board Member)
V Evans
K Johnson
H Spence
N Wilde
M Dingwall introduced and welcomed Richard Bickley, newly appointed Contracts and Repairs Manager to members present.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from S Hill and P Lockyer.
2. Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts were declared.
3. Minutes of Last Meeting
Proposed by N Wilde, seconded by S Braham and agreed unanimously by all voting members that the minutes of the previous Board meeting held on Wednesday 15th March were a true and accurate representation.
4. Matters Arising
Estate Newsletter
Newsletter will be ready for proof reading by all Board members and senior officers by Tuesday 2nd May and will be circulated estate-wide by Friday 12th May.
Minor Works Funding
M Dingwall confirmed to members that he had received verbal confirmation from the North East Area Committee that Heath Town was to be awarded £20,000 of minor works funding.
National Federation of TMO’s Annual Conference
M Dingwall, V Evans and R Bickley volunteered to attend the annual meeting being held on 16th to 18th June 2006 at Stoke Rochford Hall. H Woodward to circulate any further information to volunteers when it becomes available. Deadline for further volunteers’ attendance set for Friday 26th May 2006.
Articles of Association
H Woodward to circulate memo to all members of the Articles of Association working party informing them of the next meeting. M Dingwall urged members that this needed to move forward.
East Park, Heath Town and St Peters Area Forum Meeting
M Dingwall and V Evans were unable to attend last meeting but will be in attendance at the next scheduled meeting. M Dingwall to inform V Evans of the date, time and venue.
Apologies were received from S Hill and P Lockyer.
2. Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts were declared.
3. Minutes of Last Meeting
Proposed by N Wilde, seconded by S Braham and agreed unanimously by all voting members that the minutes of the previous Board meeting held on Wednesday 15th March were a true and accurate representation.
4. Matters Arising
Estate Newsletter
Newsletter will be ready for proof reading by all Board members and senior officers by Tuesday 2nd May and will be circulated estate-wide by Friday 12th May.
Minor Works Funding
M Dingwall confirmed to members that he had received verbal confirmation from the North East Area Committee that Heath Town was to be awarded £20,000 of minor works funding.
National Federation of TMO’s Annual Conference
M Dingwall, V Evans and R Bickley volunteered to attend the annual meeting being held on 16th to 18th June 2006 at Stoke Rochford Hall. H Woodward to circulate any further information to volunteers when it becomes available. Deadline for further volunteers’ attendance set for Friday 26th May 2006.
Articles of Association
H Woodward to circulate memo to all members of the Articles of Association working party informing them of the next meeting. M Dingwall urged members that this needed to move forward.
East Park, Heath Town and St Peters Area Forum Meeting
M Dingwall and V Evans were unable to attend last meeting but will be in attendance at the next scheduled meeting. M Dingwall to inform V Evans of the date, time and venue.
5. Correspondence
Further enquiries to be made with regard to correspondence received regarding one day training packages for TMOs. Copies to be attached with information for National TMO conference and circulated to all members for their information.
6. Personnel Report
Report circulated to members prior to meeting. Report updated members on recent activities within the Personnel department including updates on Peninsula – both Human Resources and Health and Safety, staff attendance, new starters, changes to annual leave and concessionary days and training updates.
S Carmichael to re-circulate draft of Employee’s handbook to heads of department and Board members. Comments regarding the document to be received no later than Friday 28th April 2006.
The Board congratulated all staff members that had achieved 100% attendance over the last financial year.
S Carmichael to pass on thanks to P Harris on behalf of the Board for her report.
7. CEO
Confidential discussion took place.
Action Points
M Dingwall to pursue RDHS for final report and recommendations.
M Dingwall to investigate whether certain costs can be claimed back from RDHS following their missed deadline with the EMB.
Proposed by V Evans, seconded by K Johnson with all voting members unanimously in favour, that the EMB actively investigate suitable persons for the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer if members had not received written confirmation by Friday 19th May 2006 of the arrangement of a meeting to resolve the current Chief Executive post.
R Bickley and S Carmichael agreed that this was an acceptable way forward as the Organisation required stability.
8. Housing Plus Members
F Harvey actively looking for new members for the Housing Plus Committee. Suggested that stakeholders should be more involved within this group, Board members to enquire with residents on the Estate to see if new members can be opted on to Board and then Housing Plus.
Legality to be investigated as to whether committee members have to be Board members.
Suggestion that the Board could sanction all Housing Plus recommendations, taking away voting power from the Committee in order to obtain larger number of committee members.
Committee to be placed as agenda item for next Board meeting.
Further enquiries to be made with regard to correspondence received regarding one day training packages for TMOs. Copies to be attached with information for National TMO conference and circulated to all members for their information.
6. Personnel Report
Report circulated to members prior to meeting. Report updated members on recent activities within the Personnel department including updates on Peninsula – both Human Resources and Health and Safety, staff attendance, new starters, changes to annual leave and concessionary days and training updates.
S Carmichael to re-circulate draft of Employee’s handbook to heads of department and Board members. Comments regarding the document to be received no later than Friday 28th April 2006.
The Board congratulated all staff members that had achieved 100% attendance over the last financial year.
S Carmichael to pass on thanks to P Harris on behalf of the Board for her report.
7. CEO
Confidential discussion took place.
Action Points
M Dingwall to pursue RDHS for final report and recommendations.
M Dingwall to investigate whether certain costs can be claimed back from RDHS following their missed deadline with the EMB.
Proposed by V Evans, seconded by K Johnson with all voting members unanimously in favour, that the EMB actively investigate suitable persons for the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer if members had not received written confirmation by Friday 19th May 2006 of the arrangement of a meeting to resolve the current Chief Executive post.
R Bickley and S Carmichael agreed that this was an acceptable way forward as the Organisation required stability.
8. Housing Plus Members
F Harvey actively looking for new members for the Housing Plus Committee. Suggested that stakeholders should be more involved within this group, Board members to enquire with residents on the Estate to see if new members can be opted on to Board and then Housing Plus.
Legality to be investigated as to whether committee members have to be Board members.
Suggestion that the Board could sanction all Housing Plus recommendations, taking away voting power from the Committee in order to obtain larger number of committee members.
Committee to be placed as agenda item for next Board meeting.
9. Sports Centre
Sports Centre report submitted by F Harvey, Next Steps Manager, circulated to members.
Proposed by V Evans, seconded by S Braham with all voting members unanimously in favour that the EMB adopt the recommendations of the submitted report, with the sports centre to close for business on Friday 5th May 2006 and to be re-opened subject to Board approval.
F Harvey to submit draft business plan to Resources Committee on Monday 15th May, with any amendments adopted and a final version to be submitted for approval at the next Board meeting on Wednesday 7th June 2006.
D Cole to inform all affected members and groups of closure via letter, poster and estate newsletter.
10. Communications Strategy
Item deferred.
11. Programmed Works
R Bickley to receive email confirmation of minor works funding on Thursday 27th April.
Costs, action plans and timescales to be provided for next Board meeting.
R Bickley to investigate when Red Oak was last re-surfaced and report back to the Board.
N Wilde proposed, S Allen seconded with 7 members in favour and 1 abstention, that the Board recommend the programme works in principle following further consultation with residents through various media.
12. Contracts Manager
A brief introduction took place.
13. Best Value Review
Progress meeting to take place with IRIS Consulting on Thursday 27th April at 1 p.m. M Dingwall requested the presence of all Board members’ attendance. Progress report circulated for member’s information and digestion.
S Carmichael requested to Chair meeting as M Dingwall would be arriving late due to outside commitments.
14. Decent Homes
R Bickley informed members that he would be having a meeting with Ken Davies from Wolverhampton Homes with regard to the progress of this project. Progress information for the Stock Condition Report will also be obtained at this meeting.
Further discussion points will include thermal efficiency, justification for the proposed works programme, defect liability periods on all fixtures and fittings and whether it would be possible for the EMB to go out to tender for suitable contractors to complete the work.
A formal report will be circulated for the next Board meeting and updates will be circulated in the Estate Newsletter.
Sports Centre report submitted by F Harvey, Next Steps Manager, circulated to members.
Proposed by V Evans, seconded by S Braham with all voting members unanimously in favour that the EMB adopt the recommendations of the submitted report, with the sports centre to close for business on Friday 5th May 2006 and to be re-opened subject to Board approval.
F Harvey to submit draft business plan to Resources Committee on Monday 15th May, with any amendments adopted and a final version to be submitted for approval at the next Board meeting on Wednesday 7th June 2006.
D Cole to inform all affected members and groups of closure via letter, poster and estate newsletter.
10. Communications Strategy
Item deferred.
11. Programmed Works
R Bickley to receive email confirmation of minor works funding on Thursday 27th April.
Costs, action plans and timescales to be provided for next Board meeting.
R Bickley to investigate when Red Oak was last re-surfaced and report back to the Board.
N Wilde proposed, S Allen seconded with 7 members in favour and 1 abstention, that the Board recommend the programme works in principle following further consultation with residents through various media.
12. Contracts Manager
A brief introduction took place.
13. Best Value Review
Progress meeting to take place with IRIS Consulting on Thursday 27th April at 1 p.m. M Dingwall requested the presence of all Board members’ attendance. Progress report circulated for member’s information and digestion.
S Carmichael requested to Chair meeting as M Dingwall would be arriving late due to outside commitments.
14. Decent Homes
R Bickley informed members that he would be having a meeting with Ken Davies from Wolverhampton Homes with regard to the progress of this project. Progress information for the Stock Condition Report will also be obtained at this meeting.
Further discussion points will include thermal efficiency, justification for the proposed works programme, defect liability periods on all fixtures and fittings and whether it would be possible for the EMB to go out to tender for suitable contractors to complete the work.
A formal report will be circulated for the next Board meeting and updates will be circulated in the Estate Newsletter.
15. Tenant General Meeting
V Evans proposed, K Johnson seconded with all voting members unanimously in favour that general meetings regarding programme works, the Decent Homes Standard and the Chervil Rise re-development proposals be organised for Tuesday 16th May 2006 at 6.30 p.m. and Wednesday 17th May 2006 at 10.30 a.m.
Meetings will be advertised to residents using various media.
16. Information Only Items
Reports circulated on housing and finance figures and a progress report on the Estate Art Project.
17. Any Other Business
Support and Information Centre
Derek Marks, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Support and Information Centre on Chervil Rise, has requested that a member of the Board join the Board of the Support and Information Centre.
Duke of York Public House
Wolverhampton City Council’s bid for the purchase of the public house has been refused. K Bolister, Neighbourhood Renewal, to inform the Board of any further developments.
Tenant Handbook
Handbook circulated to members who were still to receive a copy of the new tenant handbook for their information. An amendment sheet will be added to the booklet following consultation and comment at the last Estate Management Meeting.
Asylum Seeker Team
M Dingwall to meet with Mike Finnegan of the Asylum Seeker Team on Monday 8th May to discuss the proposed re-development on Chervil Rise.
Modular Management Agreement
M Dingwall presented a copy of the Modular Management Agreement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to members. Agreed that a weekend meeting should be held to discuss further.
T Cash to liase with Bernadette Nolan to establish the urgency of the decision that the Board has to make between adopting the current management agreement or the ODPM modular management agreement.
Inside Housing
S Carmichael informed members that he had received a phone call from a journalist from Inside Housing magazine requesting comments on the Chief Executive Officer position. S Carmichael informed members that he had confirmed that Mr Singh was an employee of the Estate Management Board, that the reason for his suspension was not on racial harassment grounds and that he had no further comment.
Car Park at Rear of Campion House
R Bickley informed members that the re-submitted application would be reviewed by Tuesday 2nd May 2006. M Dingwall asked J Bird to enquire with the area housing officer, G Bettam, as to whether residents still required this and to report back to him.
Grove Street Development
M Dingwall to enquire into progress with K Bolister at Neighbourhood Renewal and report back any further developments.
18. Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 7th June 2006 at 6 p.m. in the EMB Conference Room.
V Evans proposed, K Johnson seconded with all voting members unanimously in favour that general meetings regarding programme works, the Decent Homes Standard and the Chervil Rise re-development proposals be organised for Tuesday 16th May 2006 at 6.30 p.m. and Wednesday 17th May 2006 at 10.30 a.m.
Meetings will be advertised to residents using various media.
16. Information Only Items
Reports circulated on housing and finance figures and a progress report on the Estate Art Project.
17. Any Other Business
Support and Information Centre
Derek Marks, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Support and Information Centre on Chervil Rise, has requested that a member of the Board join the Board of the Support and Information Centre.
Duke of York Public House
Wolverhampton City Council’s bid for the purchase of the public house has been refused. K Bolister, Neighbourhood Renewal, to inform the Board of any further developments.
Tenant Handbook
Handbook circulated to members who were still to receive a copy of the new tenant handbook for their information. An amendment sheet will be added to the booklet following consultation and comment at the last Estate Management Meeting.
Asylum Seeker Team
M Dingwall to meet with Mike Finnegan of the Asylum Seeker Team on Monday 8th May to discuss the proposed re-development on Chervil Rise.
Modular Management Agreement
M Dingwall presented a copy of the Modular Management Agreement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to members. Agreed that a weekend meeting should be held to discuss further.
T Cash to liase with Bernadette Nolan to establish the urgency of the decision that the Board has to make between adopting the current management agreement or the ODPM modular management agreement.
Inside Housing
S Carmichael informed members that he had received a phone call from a journalist from Inside Housing magazine requesting comments on the Chief Executive Officer position. S Carmichael informed members that he had confirmed that Mr Singh was an employee of the Estate Management Board, that the reason for his suspension was not on racial harassment grounds and that he had no further comment.
Car Park at Rear of Campion House
R Bickley informed members that the re-submitted application would be reviewed by Tuesday 2nd May 2006. M Dingwall asked J Bird to enquire with the area housing officer, G Bettam, as to whether residents still required this and to report back to him.
Grove Street Development
M Dingwall to enquire into progress with K Bolister at Neighbourhood Renewal and report back any further developments.
18. Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 7th June 2006 at 6 p.m. in the EMB Conference Room.