Minute of North of Scotland Regional Network 1
Meeting held on Friday, 3rd September 2021 at 11.00 a.m.
via Zoom
Present:
Colin Stewart |
Chair |
CS |
Leonora Montgomery |
Secretary/Treasurer |
LHM |
Steve Byrne |
Committee Member |
SB |
Gerald Low |
Committee Member |
GL |
Derek Wilkie |
Committee Member |
DW |
Tom O’Brien |
Committee Member |
TO |
Liz Richardson |
Committee Member |
LR |
Sue Mcaleaney |
Committee Member |
SMca |
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In attendance:
Susan McLellan |
Scottish Government |
SMcL |
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Apologies:/Absent:
Alasdair Mackenzie |
Vice Chair |
Apologies |
Cameron Grant |
Committee Member |
Absent |
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Item |
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Action |
1.
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Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest CS welcomed all to the Meeting and gave Apologies as stated. Declarations of Interest – CS gave his for being on the SHR Board. |
CS
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2.
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Minute of Meeting held on 9th July 2021 This was proposed by SB and seconded by GL as an accurate record of the Meeting. Matters Arising – None. |
CS |
3.
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Treasurer’s Report LHM advised that as there had been no expenditure during July and August the Bank Account Balance remains at £1,651.40 Cr and the Petty Cash Balance remains at £16.33 Cr. |
LHM |
4.
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Business Matters • Age, Home and Community Group Report – SM stated that since our last Meeting she has had no update on the new format. • Website Update – CS advised that it was being kept updated however, as the Scottish Government had changed the developers, the subscription service was still outstanding. Annabel (Hoatson) is going to speak to the new Company about this and CS advised that he had found a way to do this himself, if required. • Chairs and Secretaries Group Report – LHM advised that most of the items discussed were on our Agenda today and we had Tony Cain of the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO) give a presentation on the main issues impacting on Social Housing. Tony was delighted to accept the Group’s invitation to attend all their Meetings and suggested that the Group should also invite a Representative from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to our Meetings also. TP Team to take forward. • SHR Liaison Group Update – LHM advised that they discussed the National Panel Report on Covid19 which had a 60% response. SHR also advised that they are always looking for additional Panel Members and those interested can find details on their Website. We also received updates on the Covid19 quarterly returns; SHR Board Statutory Action and Engagement Plans; future Publications and Events; and encouraged us all to complete the Charter Response. We updated them on what was happening in our Regions and also highlighted our concern regarding the shortage of supplies for planned maintenance programmes. They are aware of this and advised that some Landlords have also got this on their radar. • Communications Group Report – SB advised that the Draft Newsletter was progressing and the next Meeting will be on the 6th October 2021. • Rent Focus Group Report – Meeting on 26th August 2021 was cancelled however, SMcL advised that there is a lot for this sub-Group to consider and in order to bring it all together, they are awaiting a Report on research carried out by the Scottish Government in collaboration with TPAS (Tenant Participation Advisory Service) and CIH (Chartered Institute of Housing). • HRA Group Report – Meeting is next Wednesday (8th) when they will have Mary MacCallum from the Scottish Government in attendance to compare the Housing1987 Act with the Guidance of 2014. • Questions for Meeting with the Housing Minister – CS advised that he and LR had attended the pre-Meeting on Wednesday (1st) and Questions were being written up for the Meeting on 21st September 2021.
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SMcL
CS
LHM
LHM
SB
SMcL
SMcL
CS |
5.
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A.O.C.B. • Prospective New Member - LHM advised that she had been contacted by the TP Officer of Albyn Housing in Invergordon stating that one of her Tenants was still interested in joining the Group. This comes under Highland Region and as we already have two Representatives, LHM suggested that we ask him along as an Observer to our next Meeting so he can learn more about the Regional Networks and we can discuss things fully with him. All agreed so LHM to send email to TP Officer stating this. • National Report on SSHC and Zest Report – CS advised that he had posted both of these on Basecamp just before the Meeting and both make interesting reading! • Broadband Expansion – SB advised that he too had posted this on Basecamp just before the Meeting. • Perth and Kinross Council – GL advised that they were going to be starting the HRA Meetings up again which will be face-to-face with measures in place. • Angus Council – Their first Tenants’ Meeting will take place later this month. • Regional Network Meetings – These will continue as at present and will probably be ‘blended’ in the future. Staff might be allowed back into the Office soon, with restrictions.
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LHM
CS
SB
GL
TO
SMcL |
6. |
Date and Time of Next Meeting – Friday, 29th October 2021 at 10.00 a.m. via Zoom. |
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