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Minutes - 1st March 2011
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Present |
Staff: |
1. Apologies
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2. Disclosure of Interest None |
3. Minutes of Previous Meetings a) Management Committee 25 January 2011 i) Amendment to Accuracy 3a)i) Andy Lyttle is joining NG2 not NGHA as stated. Proposed C Rossine Seconded F Miller ii) Matters Arising Depute CEO updated the Committee on the current situation in relation to the office refurbishment. Phase 1 of the Possilpark Office has been completed on time and Phase 2 is due for completion to allow opening on 28 March 2011. Plans are currently being drawn up for the Springburn office and additional toilets are being installed this weekend. The Michael Martin suite will be used as an office temporarily and Vulcan Street will be used for Management Committee Meetings and as a Training Suite. Andy Lyttle and James McCamley joined NG2 today. Out of hours emergency repairs are currently being undertaken by City Building and they will also be responsible for day to day repairs at the start of the financial year with void work being undertaken by NG2. Staff from Balmore will be moving to the Possilpark Office at the end of March. Staff from NG LHO and RRB will move to the Springburn office. Negotiations are ongoing with City Building regarding using the RRB office as a base for NG2. This would provide the benefits of City Building security, parking etc. CEO informed the Committee that he had received an email from Betty Matheson’s son asking us to collect the Management Committee correspondence which has been sent to her. She is very frail and CEO will update the Committee on her situation at the next meeting. Head of OD updated the Committee on the current situation with regard to the recruitment of a Human Resources Manager. Forty six applications have been received so far and it is hoped to hold interviews during the next 2 weeks with the successful applicant in post by the middle to end April. Senior Depute CEO explained to the Committee that there have been various meetings, including one to ones, held with the staff transferring from the LHOs to provide them with information on the NGHA staffing structure and what it is like to work at NGHA. After the transfer the staff will be more involved in reviewing how the service is operated. Senior Depute CEO referred to the approaches made to the Association from local tenants to provide a stair cleaning service which was reported at the last Committee meeting. She confirmed that a survey was carried out and that this service will commence from the beginning of April 2011 and all tenants are aware of this. b) RRB LHO -15 November 2010 Noted c) DSGL – 14 December 2010 Noted. Noted. e) NG2 – 30 August 2010 |
| 4. Chief Executive’s Report a) Business Review – Matters Arising CEO referred to presentations at the Review Weekend which took place from 4 - 6th February and confirmed that North Glasgow HA has been in discussions with the Scottish Housing Regulator and has received a clear steer from them that the Board should comprise a maximum of 15 members. It is proposed to hold a Governance Event on Tuesday 29 March from 4 - 6pm at Ayr Street Conference Centre for Management Committee and the 3 LHO committees to look at the future governance arrangements and the transition to a smaller Board and Area Committees. North Glasgow is building the Business Plan around the priorities identified at the Business Review and one of these is continue to build new homes where viable. A name change will be considered later on in the year. There will be one final meeting for the MC Exec Sub-Committee
to consider SST related issues on Monday 21 March at 12.30pm
and the outcomes of this meeting will be reported to Management
Committee meeting on Tuesday 12 April 2011. |
5. Director of Performance, Strategy and Governance a) SST Update Management Committee noted the latest positive developments on valuation and the likely final outcome. Members approved the buy-out of GHA furnished lets service on the basis outlined in the report. Committee also noted that the loan facility with Clydesdale Bank had now received Credit Committee approval, with the borrowing requirement for SST now lower, and with terms and conditions as reported by Finance Director. The Committee noted the timescale and authorised the Office Bearers to approve the Loan Agreement. Committee also approved that further reports be prepared for the meeting of the Office Bearers on Monday 21 March at 12.30pm with the Office Bearers authorised to approve the final proposals to enable the transaction to complete. Proposed J Thorburn Seconded R Rodden b) SHR Report – Beyond the Crunch? Committee noted the report. c) Governance Structure – Implementation Plan Director of PSG referred to the Governance Event planned for
Tuesday 29 March 2011 for the 4 committees to be held in Ayr
Street. This will be an opportunity for discussions prior to
the lead up to the AGM in September and information will be
provided for the new area committees and programme for next
6 months. This will enable planning for the next phase. |
6. Housing Services a) Possilpark Tenements Quarterly Report Senior Depute CEO referred to report on Possilpark Initiative area highlighting performance in Q3 in tenancy sustainment, voids and letting. She highlighted the reduced turnover and the range of estate management activities being actioned to address the short term objectives. Positive feedback has been received in relation to the Dispersal Order and the order is due to continue until 14 March. Members noted the report. b) Housing Management Quarterly Report Senior Depute CEO referred to report which covers tenancy sustainment, voids, lettings and rent arrears in Quarter 3 comparing actual performance to targets set for 2010/11. She highlighted the reduced turnover, contribution to GCC’s target to eliminate homelessness, time to let voids and that there was no increase in arrears over the period. Members noted the report. c) Homelessness Update Senior Depute CEO referred to report which updates Members on performance and activity in Homelessness for the third quarter. Total lets made to homeless applicants this year to date are 41% of all lets against a target of 45%. Members noted the report. d) GCSS Conflict Resolution Services Senior Depute CEO referred to the report which gives Members an update on progress with the services provided by Glasgow Community Safety Services in the management of anti social behaviour. Members noted the report. e) SNS Information and Advice Senior Depute CEO referred to a new report providing Committee with information relating to the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice and advised that we have been successful in meeting the standards. She added that that the assessor was very complimentary about the high standard of advice given to our customers. Committee noted the report. f) Customer Satisfaction Survey Senior Depute CEO referred to report providing the Customer Satisfaction results received for Housing Services during Quarter 3. The responses were excellent for both surveys referred to in the report. Members noted the responses with levels of satisfaction across all areas more than 93%. g) Tenancy Support Report Senior Depute CEO referred to the report on the progress of the Tenancy Sustainment Team which was set up in March 2010 to support vulnerable and at risk tenants. The report includes activity/workload for tenancy support officers, referrals, analysis of lets and future priorities for the Tenancy Sustainment Team. Members noted the report.
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7. Finance a) Management Accounts NGHA Director of Finance referred to report on Management Accounts for the period to 31 December 2010 which compares the income and expenditure against budget. The actual surplus for the period is £526,000 against an original projected surplus of £462,000. Committee approved the Management Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2010. Proposed M Thomson Seconded M Willis b) Pension Trust Consultation Director of Finance referred to report updating the Committee on the current situation with regard to consultation with staff regarding the changes to the pension scheme. Staff confirmed they are happy to stay within the existing scheme and pay the higher contribution. New members of the scheme as from 1st April will be in a CARE 1/80th scheme. The response to the Pension Trust was approved by the Exec-Sub Committee at their meeting on 21 February 2011. Committee members noted the submission to the Pension Trust. c) Authorised Signatories Director of Finance referred to report regarding updating the Authorised Signatory list for the Royal Bank Account as a result of changes in Management Committee and staff personnel and also changes to authorised users for Clydesdale Bank Internet Banking. Committee approved the changes to the lists of Authorised Signatories as noted in the report. Proposed J Thorburn Seconded F Miller d) Independence Agreement NG2 Limited Director of Finance referred to report regarding the putting
in place of an Independence Agreement for NG2 which clearly
defines the relationship between the Association and its
subsidiary. Proposed A Wilson Seconded T Dow e) Rent and Service Charge Increase 2011/12 Director of Finance referred to report regarding the increase for 2011/12. A 4.8% increase was consulted on which will enable the Association to maintain services at the current level, meet the SHQS and other investment commitments and SST. Committee approved the following increases: • North Glasgow HA’s rent and service charges
at 4.8%. • New tenants in Carron and Balornock will be charged in accordance with North Glasgow rent structure. The same will apply to new tenants in the GHA transferred stock. Proposed R Rodden Seconded D Shaw f) On Lending Agreement DSGL Director of Finance referred to report regarding the setting up of an On Lending Agreement between North Glasgow HA and DSGL which will specify how and on what terms the Association will advance any loans to DSGL. This will enable DSGL to purchase the property at 43 Atlas Road and recover the VAT on the purchase. Committee approved the On Lending Agreement with DSGL and the acquisition of the property at Atlas Road. Proposed M Thomson Seconded H White |
8. Investment and Regeneration a) Quarterly Report on Wider/Regeneration Activity (Oct-Dec 2010) Head of Business Development referred to report bringing members up to date on the range of regeneration activities and projects North Glasgow HA is actively involved in including Kick Start Futures, Social Enterprise, PATH Trainee, Commonwealth Apprentices, Learning, Community Transport and Operation Reclaim. There will be a separate report brought to Committee on the proposed development of the vacant Askit building on Saracen Street and a meeting will be set up with EKOS Consultants and Possipark Committee members to discuss this. Committee noted the report. b) Close Cleaning Contract Report Head of Business Development referred to report on ng2 close cleaning which details number of closes cleaned per week, number of complaints received, works schedule and quality control. He highlighted that the number of complaints have reduced and that the focus is on driving up standards. Members noted the report. c) Development Services Quarterly Report Depute CEO referred to quarterly report on development services from October to December and updated members on development schemes which are nearing completion or are in the planning stages. Two issues in particular were highlighted: i) Broomfield Road Members were reminded that slow progress was being made on site by the principle contractor and that various deadlines were not met. As a result legal advice has been sought and subsequently letters have been sent to the contractor reminding the company of its contractual obligations. It is hoped that the contractor will now complete the works timeously. It was agreed that progress on the situation will be reported direct to the Chair prior to the next Committee meeting. ii) Southloch Street A figure was agreed to purchase the land but there was subsequently several months delay due to the seller then deciding they wished to obtain another valuation. It is now going ahead at the original price on the condition that grant funding is made available. Discussions are ongoing with the contractor and the council. Members were also made aware of the Scottish Government’s recent announcement on grant levels for 2011/12 which could impact seriously on our ability to develop this site. Members noted the report. d) Investment Services Quarterly Report Depute CEO referred to report providing Committee with an
update on day to day e) Management Services Quarterly Report Depute CEO referred to quarterly report July-September detailing
management services charges, arrears, sharing owner arrears
and proposed owners forum.
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9. Organisational Development a) a) Investors in People Head of Organisational Development referred to report regarding Investors in People accreditation assessments held in January 2011 highlighting that we successfully maintained our accreditation and were awarded “silver” status against the new standards. This is a great achievement and we will commence working towards achieving “gold” status in May 2011. Members noted the report. |
10. Policies a) Stress Policy Management Committee gave their approval to this addition to the Stress Policy. Proposed C Rossine Seconded M Willis
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| 11. Delegates Feedback
EVH Delegate reported on a recent EVH meeting on 7 February 2011 which included a presentation by their Senior HR Advisor on Equal Opportunities. SFHA Delegate reported on a SFHA Residential weekend from 25-27
February which included various plenaries and workshops covering
topics including “Where is Housing Going?” and “How
Will Your Organisation Respond to Evolving Policy Agenda?” |
| 12. AOCB
a) Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme Senior Depute CEO referred to letter received from Disclosure Scotland regarding the above scheme. This letter provides more information regarding costs involved and how the legislation should be applied with effect from 28 February 2011. b) Letter from William Bain MP of 9 Feb 2011 Head of Business Development referred to letter received from
William Bain MP offering his congratulations on receiving the
award of £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund which is being
used to contribute towards the cost of a feasibility study
in relation to the redevelopment of the Askit Building. Head of Business Development referred to letter received from Bob Doris MSP regarding the work of the Kick Start Futures Programme and advising that he has tabled a motion in Parliament applauding the Programme. d) Letter from Patricia Ferguson MSP of 18 February 2011 Senior Depute CEO referred to letter dated 18 February from Patricia Ferguson MSP offering congratulations on achieving the Silver Investors in People award and that she has tabled a motion in Parliament in this regard. e) Update on Annual Salary Negotiations Head of Organisational Development gave the Committee a verbal update on the current situation with the annual salary negotiations. The offer made to the Union by EVH was as follows: ? £550 flat rate increase up to the top of Grade 6,
and The Trade Union has rejected this final offer so it has now been referred to ACAS and Head of OD will keep the Committee informed on developments. f) Centre for Health and Wellbeing Head of Organisational Development informed the Committee that she had been contacted by the Centre for Health and Wellbeing which is a Social Enterprise which charges to provide services for staff and volunteer members such as health checks (eg diabetes screening) and also complementary therapies. The profits are then fed back into the local community. Head of OD will provide a more detailed report to a future Committee Meeting. g) MC Exec Sub-Committee Special Committee Meeting on Monday 21 March 2011 at 12.30pm. CEO confirmed that, as previously mentioned under Item 4a), there will be a meeting on the above date and time to discuss SST related items. h) Scottish Social Housing Charter Discussion Paper Director of PSG referred to letter from the Scottish Government dated February 2011 and discussion paper regarding the introduction of the Social Housing Charter which comes into force next year. This is for Committees information only.
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North Glasgow Housing Association
is an "A" rated Registered Scottish Charity No. SC030635 and is a Charitable Housing Association |
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