Any business which the Chair agrees to accept on grounds of urgency.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2011 were agreed to be a true and accurate record.

The Chair, Cllr Sue Sampson, welcomed Cllr Curran, lead member for Housing, Bernadette O’Shea, Chief Executive of Hounslow Homes and Alison Simmons, Assistant Director Housing Strategy and Services to the meeting. She stated that over the past year the Panel had concentrated on the housing function, which she wished to discuss with the evening’s guests as well as hearing their responses to the questions the Panel had previously submitted with regard to older people’s housing support and care and HFTRA issues. She added that a report on the new management agreement with Hounslow Homes (HH) was going to Cabinet.

Cllr Steve Curran introduced David Cox, Chair of HFTRA and stated that he had invited Mr Cox to the meeting as he thought that it would be helpful as HFTRA were party to the draft management agreement.

Cllr Sampson asked for an update on the letter submitted at the last meeting by the Hounslow Union of Sheltered Scheme Tenants and Residents’ Association (HUSSTRA).

Alison Simmons advised that HUSSTRA had agreed to be part of HFTRA following a meeting on 14 January when the following matters had been agreed:

HFTRA’s Executive Committee will put any sheltered issues on the agenda at the beginning of the meeting, meaning HUSSTRA will not have to attend the whole meeting if they don’t wish to.

The Chair of HUSSTRA will be invited to review and develop the HFTRA Executive Committee Agenda.

Meeting times are to be looked at but it is likely evenings will be chosen as many members are at work during the day. Consideration will be given to rotating meetings, some possibly being held on Saturdays.

HFTRA to have one position on the Partnership Board nominated from the HFTRA Executive.

HFTRA will pay for HUSSTRA members’ transport to attend meetings.

HFTRA will look to periodically hold meetings in Sheltered Schemes.

A joint letter will be sent to all Sheltered Tenants advising them that HFTRA and HUSSTRA are working together.

HFTRA will help support HUSSTRA on Sheltered Housing issues. HUSSTRA will lead and be the champions with regard to Sheltered Housing issues.

HUSSTRA will be involved in the HFTRA Conference and events.

Cllr Curran stated that the Council would talk to anyone who would help with the future of services for the elderly, adding that he wanted to work successfully with HUSSTRA as did officers. Following questions it was confirmed that there were no other groups besides HUSSTRA that were specifically concerned only with sheltered housing issues, however it was stressed that these concerns were shared by both members and officers of the Council and HFTRA. Cllr Felicity Barwood stated that HUSSTRA had invited her to become a “Champion” but had not made clear what this entailed. Cllr Curran remarked that he believed all Councillors to be champions of their constituents and Cllr Barwood agreed.

Cllr Curran asked how many people were involved; David Cox replied that there were 36 places on HFTRA’s Executive, 26 of which were currently filled. Alison Simmons added that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.