Friends of Mill Rise / Meeting Dates

Friends of Mill Rise Meeting held on 15th April 2008

Apologies were received from Mr Vernon and Mr & Mrs Reynolds.

The notes from the previous meeting were discussed with the following points raised:

• Room layouts were provided for 1 and 2 bed apartments. All sizes were in metric, so for the next meeting we will provide Imperial measurements. The rooms are all wheelchair accessible. 

• Rents – Difficult to provide exact figures, only indicative at this stage.

Approx:
50% - approx £34.00
60% - approx £28.00
70% - approx £21.00

Other charges will apply, Supporting People and service charges, as discussed at previous meetings.

• Care – Jane Oakley from Staffordshire County Council, who will be involved in selecting the care provider, will be attending the next meeting to outline the commissioning process. She will involve you in the selection process.

• Repairs – Repairs for communal areas are included. Shared Ownership properties would normally be responsible for their own repairs, but the maintenance department are looking at providing a chargeable service. Some of the repairs issues discussed were:

changing locks, fixing taps, changing light bulbs, leaks, fuses, trip switches. A move in service was also thought to be useful, re: fitting cookers, plumbing in washers, putting up curtain rails.

• Meters/trip switches – concerns were raised over the height of meters and trip switches, this will be clarified at the next meeting.

• Heating/Cooking – clarification required regarding the heating and cooking facilities, is there a choice of gas or electric cooking facilities?

• Showers – are the showers ‘walk in’ – need to clarify. There are no baths in the bathrooms but an assisted bathing facility is available.

• Assessment process – it was confirmed that the forms issued were not to be completed yet, they were just for information at this stage.

• Pet Policy – this is currently being drafted after consultation with the group.

• Road Name – members of the group were asked for suggestions for the road name at the last meeting.

Suggestions were:

Mill Rise Road
Morrison Way

Bellway are developing the rest of the site and it was suggested that they could use a theme of birth signs for the development.
A background history of the area will be brought to the next meeting and this may provide some more suggestions.

• Funding Opportunities – this suggestion received a very positive response. Activities suggested included: a gardening club, Art group, sewing club, craft sessions, film club, drama club, music group, trips out, DVD project, community art project. A group would need to be formed and a constitution drafted, then funding could be applied for from the Big Lottery, Give it Sum, Awards for All etc.  A member of the Resident Involvement Team will be invited to the next meeting to draft a constitution.

Any other business:

• Visitors – a door entry system will be in operation, there will also be CCTV.  Sales people will not be allowed into the complex.

• Services – are they metered or are they included in service charges – will clarify this at the next meeting.

• Flat location – a question was asked if a preference could be expressed regarding flats on ground floor – it can be expressed but not guaranteed.

• Allocations/Assessment – this process will start in September.

• The completion date is May 09, and there will be a show apartment open in Feb/March.

• The contractor will be invited to a future meeting.

Date of next meeting Wednesday 14th May at 2.30 p.m. at Kent Grove Sheltered Housing Scheme, Kent Grove, Chesterton.
Please note this date has changed from the list of meeting dates  issued.