Present & Apologies

Andre Howard/A.H. Nubia Way
Mike West/M.W. Greenstreet Hill
Colin Caines/C.C Brockley Park
Linda McMahon/L.M. Co-op & Tenant Officer
Christopher Hatcher/C.H. Maintenance
John Smith/J.S. Director

Apologies for Absence

Max Ward, Nubia Way
Vic Sievey, The Diggers
Dave Watson, Roxborough Close

Agenda Items

1. Identify Maintenance relevant to self-build/S.B
2. Annual Site Inspections
3. A.O.B.

1.1 Identify Maintenance Relevant To Self-Build (S.B).

C.C. - Some properties in Brockley Park have experienced landslide. J.S. an insurance claim has been made in relation to this, the restabilising of each property could cost anything between £20,000 and £30,000.

A.H. - In Nubia Way some of the ramps leading up to the houses are slipping. M.W. at Greenstreet Hill said there is landslip from the park behind the estate.

J.S - External estate works have not necessarily been considered until now. At the last CTSB meeting we were asked to consider yearly site external estate inspections for S.B. properties and we are now in the process of setting this up. Works will be prioritised with the most pressing being dealt with first and H& S will be a determining factor as to which S.B. projects are prioritised.

1.2. J.S An allowance has been allocated for Nubia Way in the 09/10 budget, subject to board approval on 26.02.09. A general budget has been allocated for unspecified S.B. works, again subject to board approval on 26.02.09.

The meeting discuseed and was in favour of a tool bank being set up, to share tools. Matters that would have to be considered are: storage, how to monitor the scheme, paying and buying tools. At present CHISEL does not have a place where the tools could be stored. M. W. said Greenstreet Hill might have potential storage place.

1.3 J.S - If tenants would like to carry out voluntary work to communal areas CHISEL would be able to hire tools for them to use.

1.4 The group discussed external works, which were needed on different sites and how these could be funded. J.S. suggested we could allocate a sum of money - say £5,000 - from our existing maintenance budget for external estate works each year, which tenants on estates would be able to apply for to the fund for external environmental improvement works.

ACTION : J.S to bring up at future board meeting for 09/10 budget.

1.5 A.H. - Contractors do not always listen to S.B. tenants, regardless of them having an inside knowledge of the properties. The group wanted to explore/know what could be done to improve the service we receive from contractors?

J.S. When we carry out targeted works we could appoint a project manager who has knowledge of S.B. such as the builders we used at the Gap scheme.

Recommendation: We start up a S.B. database of contractors with S.B. knowledge and those who we receive good feedback about.

ACTION : C.C said he knew of a good carpenter who works on Brockley Park , he would try to get his details for this S.B. maintenance database.

M.W. Recommended a company called Constructive Individuals should be on this database. They taught the Greenstreet Hill S.B's how to insulate their houses.

ACTION : M.W. to get their details.

1.6. The location of plans for S.B. properties was raised. A.H., M.W & C.C. all have the plans for their properties.      

1.7. L.M. Dave Watson from Roxborough Close reported (via the telephone) that Steve Holden (Contractor) was now doing less maintenance work on Roxborough personally and that other staff from Mr.Holden's company were carrying out the works. Dave felt that the standard of work was dropping.

ACTION : L.M. to raise this with Clare Canning.

1.8. L.M. Max Ward from Nubia Way wrote in to report that he has severe drafts in his home: windows, doors & skirting boards. He said he did not know if this was a widespread problem or not.

ACTION : L.M. to discuss with Clare Canning.

2. SITE INSPECTIONS

ACTION: C.H. & J.S. will start external site inspections either spring or summer 2009, Lowther Hill is the most pressing site at present, as there is subsidence. Tenants will be notified of the inspections and invited to participate.

3. A.O.B.

3.1 . A.H. concerned about the boilers in S.B. properties; he feels many are breaking down before the end of their life span. A.H. does not feel the remote controls are good as tenants should be able to control the temperature. A.H. volunteered to assist if any tenants were having problems setting their boilers.

Recommendation: A.H. recommends that in the future CHISEL install boilers that have programmable thermostats, as these are easier to use and more energy efficient.

3.2. C.C. -Has apparently reported a timber works repair three times to LFSA

ACTION: C.H. to contact LFSA about CC's outstanding repair.

Recommendation: C.C suggested things might run more efficiently if repairs reported were issued with a reference number that there is the option to report repairs via email too. As it would make it easier to back track repairs reported.

ACTION : J.S. to discuss with LFSA the idea of issuing log numbers for maintenance repairs and reporting repairs via email.

3.3. M.W. is interested in carrying out work for CHISEL under the tenant maintainer's scheme, however, if he earns money it will impact upon his weekly pension. J.S. explained that tenants would be either paid by cheque or money would be paid into their rent accounts.

3.4. M.W. asked if tenants carried out home improvements how could they benefit from this? J.S. explained that it was only if and when a tenant left a property that they are paid for any home improvements. These must be CHISEL approved home improvements and additionally, depreciation is also taken into account.

Meeting ended: 8.10 PM