Agenda item - Residents Question Time

Responses to items raised at the Tenant Only Meeting held on 3 May 2016 (copy attached as ‘blue pages’).

4.1       (Item 1 – Start and end dates for repairs and improvements)

 

4.2       Residents stated various concerns and requests:

 

·         Length of time spent on end dates

·         Communications issues

·         Request to clarify details highlighting timetables for upcoming work, including a letter updating reps of progress during various stages through scaffolding programs

 

4.3      Officers addressed  resident’s concerns and requests by:

 

·         Noting that the issue of length of time spent on end dates has been on the agenda for a long time.

·         That communication is key and will be looked at over time.

·         Have identified that Mears had identified comms and scaffolding as 2 areas where recurring issues are brought up.

·         Will look into possibility of providing letters including details in future.

 

4.4      (Item 2 – Scaffolding)

 

4.5     A resident stated concern that the same response had been brought up year after year.

 

4.6     The Officer for Housing stated that Mears understood the issue and agreed that management will bring an update on progress and development to the next area panel.

 

4.7    (Item 3 – EDB Fencing)

 

4.8    Residents stated the following concerns and statements:

 

·         Issues regarding communication remained prevalent.

·         Residents would be happy to be contacted via internet or letter to groups.

·         Concern surrounding work on fencing still outstanding since last December.

 

4.9       The Resident Involvement Manager responded to the concerns and statements with the following:

 

·         EDB is currently being reviewed.

·         Comms is currently part of the review.

·         Mears have seen a change to how they are managing this.

·         Encouraged residents to use Mears’ EDB phone number or email address in future.

 

4.10    (Item 4 – Review of Resident Involvement Officers)

 

4.11    Residents stated positive response towards Resident Involvement Officers.

 

4.12    (Item 5 – Pricing Policy)

 

4.13    Residents stated the following:

 

·         Concerns surrounding prices when presented with EDB budgeting.

·         Should receive costings before attending EDB meetings.

·         Residents to go around with Mears to see exactly what residents want when Mears begin pricing work.

 

4.14    Officers addressed resident’s requests by the following:

 

·         Agreed with resident’s concerns regarding pricing and despatch of information regarding costings prior to EDB meetings.

·         Depending on whether there’s enough time there may be scope for residents to join Mears to visit assessment of works to take place.

 

4.15    (Item 6 – Washing Machines)

 

4.16    Residents expressed the following concerns and enquiries:

 

·         Consultation was a waste of BHCC’s time.

·         Residents voted against the card system due to the high cost required to modify the machines.

·         Enquired how much officer time was spent on this.

·         BHCC should have consulted residents to begin with.

 

4.17    The Chair and Officers responded to the concerns with the following:

 

·         Chair stated that the report brought to next Area Panel should quantify the amount of officer’s time spent on this.

·         Head of Income, Involvement and Improvement, stated that consultation with members at either time would have been met with scepticism.

 

4.18    (Item 7 – Future of homing in)

 

4.19    Residents expressed positive comments:

 

·         Stated happiness with sign up of BHCC online whilst retaining option for hard copy of information.

·         That the ease of access and wealth of information online including option to receive hard copy information should be further publicised.

 

4.20    Officers responded to resident’s concerns by stating:

 

·         Residents could save money on postage and printing by viewing publication online.

·         BHCC introducing “my account” online to allow residents to look at rent accounts and ‘homing in’.

·         Under this scheme it will be easier for tenants to opt in and out.

 

4.21    (Item 8 – Sub-contractor Overcharging)

 

4.22    Residents expressed the following concern:

 

·        Enquired if anyone had been charged by the police.

 

4.23    Officers allayed concerns by stating:

 

·      The money owed has been paid back, £500000 was paid back. All outstanding money was paid back.

 

4.24    (Item 9 – Wheelie Bins and rubbish)

 

4.25    Residents stated the following concerns and enquiries:

 

·         That Chair received special treatment due to the position of being a Councillor and that residents do not receive the same quick response time.

·         If BHCC could make it a bylaw to take out the rubbish.

 

4.26    The Chair and Officers responded to resident’s concerns:

 

·         Chair refuted the claim that position as Councillor had been the reason for quick response time.

·         Chair clarified that a decision to make the removal of rubbish by BHCC would need approval by Privvie Council a function removed by national government.

 

4.27    (Item 10 – HMOs)

 

4.28    Residents stated this would be a good subject for LATs.

 

4.29    (Items 11+12 – Fumes from boiler outlets)

 

4.30    A resident requested if K&T could attend Area Panel meetings in future for questions and answers session.

 

4.31    Officers stated that will ask in future, suggested residents should email K&T directly for a quicker response to any questions.

 

4.32    (Item 13 – Window replacement on Bates Estate)

 

4.33    Residents expressed concern regarding previous request to bring in planned window replacements, however instead receiving deviation and change. Residents enquired why the schedule had slipped.

 

4.34    Officers stated the plans were based on the premise that there was going to be work in to 2017.

 

4.35    (Item 14 – Front door at Dudeney Lodge)

 

4.36    Resolved that the report be agreed.

 

4.37    (Item 15 – Health and safety regulations in senior housing)

 

4.38    Agreed that the report be kept for the next meeting.

 

4.39    (Item 16 – Three star items)

 

4.40    All items taken as read and noted.