Agenda item 2
City West Housing Trust
Board Meeting
Tuesday 19th March 2013
City West Centenary House
Board Members Present:
Andy Zuntz – Chair
Stephen Reuben – Deputy Chair
Joe Kean
Jim Dawson
Lynne Alderson
Roz Fox
David Lamb
Julian Curnuck
Clare Budden
Robin Garrido
Carol Mawers
In Attendance:
Tim Doyle – Chief Executive
Paul Carhart – Director of Corporate Services
Paul Whitehead – Director of Finance
Colette McKune – Deputy Chief Executive
David Cummins – Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods
Patricia Gorton – Governance Manager
Jennie Etheridge – Governance Officer (Minutes)
Paul Johnson – 3DK Solutions (Observer)
Minutes
The meeting commenced at 2pm.
The Chair welcomed Carol Mawers to her first meeting as
the new Tenant Board Member.
Members welcomed Paul Johnson from 3DKS who was
attending the meeting as an observer and would also be
present at the Board Away Day in April.
1.
Apologies and Declarations of Interest
Apologies were received from Michael Wheeler and Adrian
Brocklehurst.
There were no declarations of interest.
2.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The Board APPROVED the minutes from the previous
meeting held on Tuesday 5th February 2013 as a correct
record.
3.
Action Plan
The Board NOTED the Action Plan.
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Action
4.
Chair and Deputy Chair Update
The Deputy Chair, who was also the Chair of the Audit and
Risk Committee, informed Members of the recruitment of
the Customer Scrutiny Inspectorate Chair to the Committee
which was an illustration of best practice.
The Deputy Chair had attended the National Board
Members Conference in February 2013 and reported that
with the information which had been delivered, he was able
to report with confidence that City West was operating
effectively within the housing sector.
The Chair reported that he had been in attendance at
predominately internal matters of late which ranged from:
 Recruitment of the new Tenant Board Member
 Board appraisal process
 Networking within the Greater Manchester region
The Chair stated he would be attending the National
Housing Federation Finance Conference over 20th – 21st
March 2013.
4.1 Appointment of Board Member
The Board received a report seeking the approval of the
appointment of Carol Mawers as the new Tenant Board
Member.
The Board ratified the decision to appoint Carol Mawers
as a Tenant Board Member with effect from 19th March
2013.
5.
Chief Executive Update
The Board received a report providing an update on local,
regional and national information that would help to inform
them about issues that might impact upon City West’s
business.
Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For
Members were informed that City West had been successful
in achieving 16th place within the Sunday Times Top 100
Not for Profit Organisations, and had achieved 2 Star Best
Companies Accreditation.
City West had also received an award for Innovation in
Engagement for the organisations approach to staff
engagement.
Steve Sheridan Community Champion Award
Following on from the February 2013 Board meeting, an
agreement had been reached for a Make a Difference
Award to be put in place in memory of the late Board
Member Steve Sheridan.
The award would be called ‘The Steve Sheridan Community
Champion Award’ and would be given annually to someone
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who made a real difference to their community.
Terry Handsley
Members wished for their condolences to be recorded on
the recent passing of City West Customer, Terry Handsley;
and to record their appreciation for all of his work.
Members were informed that Terry had been involved within
the community and several City West projects over many
years before passing away in February 2013.
The Board NOTED the contents of the report
6.
Budget and Business Plan 2013/14
The Board received a report providing them with the final
Budget and Business Plan for 2013/14.
Paul Whitehead informed members that at the Board
meeting in February 2013 the budget and business plan for
2013/14 had been provisionally approved.
There had been no material changes to the budget and
business plan since the Board meeting in February 2013.
Members thanked Paul Whitehead for the inclusion of the
efficiency schedule at Appendix 3 which had been
requested at the last meeting.
The Board:
 APPROVED the Income and Expenditure budget
at Appendix 1.
 APPROVED the long term business plan set out
in Appendix 2.
7.
City West Works Update (including Governance)
The Board received a report updating them on the progress
of establishing the subsidiary City West Works (CWW) Ltd,
including recommendations from the Shadow Board for
Board approval.
Colette McKune reported that the mobilisation plan was
progressing to date and on target for completion allowing
the transfer of CWW to the Limited Company on 1st April
2013.
All staff had been issued with their new contracts and
positive feedback had been received from CWW staff.
CWW Ltd would be responsible for such works as
responsive, voids, urgent repairs and a small proportion of
the Investment Programme.
The Board:
 NOTED the contents of the report.
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8.
Asset Management
Management Strategy
Report
–
including
Asset
The Board received a report informing them of the progress
in relation to asset management activities and also to seek
approval in relation to the updated Asset Management
Strategy.
Colette McKune informed Members that City West would
reach decency on 100% of properties by October 2013
which was ahead of the scheduled date of April 2014.
Member’s attention was drawn to the Asset Management
Strategy which was attached at Appendix 1.
Colette McKune highlighted that all of the changes had
been completed in track changes for ease of clarification for
Members.
Colette McKune spoke of the 100% gas compliance within
City West now having reached its 90th week.
Members congratulated the Asset Management Team on
the excellent work that had been achieved on the external
works of the high rise properties within the Eccles area.
Colette McKune reported that changes had been
incorporated into the original Strategy 2009 – 2014, with a
view to positively impacting affordability of warmth.
Additional improvements had been implemented such as:
 Replacement to boilers making them A rated for
efficiency
 High rise programme brought forward
 Inclusion of Eco Pod on high rise programme
 New over cladding to high rise and non traditional
properties
 Loft Insulation
The Board NOTED the contents of the report and
APPROVED the Asset Management Strategy.
9.
Shareholder Register Approval
The Board received a report seeking approval of
shareholder applications received since June 2012 and of
those Customers that had withdrawn from shareholding
since June 2012.
The
Board
APPROVED
the
applications
for
Shareholding Membership attached at Appendix 1 and
NOTED the withdrawal of Shareholders whose details
were attached at Appendix 2.
10.
Performance Report as at 28th February 2013
The Board received a report providing them with an analysis
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of performance against the agreed scorecard of
performance indicators, including exception commentary
where performance falls below targets set.
The report also included the proposed amends to the
current Board Performance Scorecard based on feedback
received from a survey of Board Members and a review by
EMT and Assistant Directors.
Paul Carhart drew Members attention to the exception
report attached at Appendix 2.
In relation to a question raised regarding the effect Welfare
Reform would have on rents and arrears, David Cummins
reported that there was likely to be an affect on the 2013/14
targets but the biggest impact would come as a result of
Universal Credit which would hit in 2014/15.
In light of this, City West had conducted assessments for
future years regarding target setting to allow for a realistic
prediction to assist with performance figures. These would
be reported to Board as part of the normal target setting
process in May 2013.
A presentation regarding performance indicators would be
conducted prior to the May 2013 Board meeting.
The Board NOTED the contents of the report and
DEFERRED the approval of the proposed changes to
the scorecard for 2013/14 until the May 2013 Board
meeting.
11.
Management Accounts – February 2013
The Board received a report providing them with the
Management Accounts pack, showing City West’s financial
performance to the 28th February 2013 and a forecasted
year end position.
Paul
Whitehead
informed
Members
that
two
recommendations from the auditors were included within the
report and approval was now sought from the Board.
The Board:
 NOTED the financial information to 28th February
2013.
 APPROVED that the Statutory Accounts for
2012/13 were not prepared on a consolidated
basis as a result of this immateriality.
12.
Strategic Risk Register
The Board Received a report providing them with an update
on the Strategic Risk Register.
The Board NOTED the contents of the report.
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13.
Customer Scrutiny Inspectorate
The Board received a report updating them on the progress
on the Customer Scrutiny Inspectorate (CSI) following the
last progress report on 25th September and the progress
against the Complaints Scrutiny Exercise and the Estate
Walkabouts Scrutiny Exercise.
The report also provided the Board with an update on
activity of the Customer Scrutiny Inspectorate and the
appointment of the new CSI Chair.
The Board NOTED the contents of the report.
14.
Board Skills Audit and Appraisals
The Board received a report providing them with an update
on the progress with the Board Review of Effectiveness and
the Skills Audit and Appraisals.
The Board NOTED the contents of the report.
15.
Report of the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee
The Board received a report which highlighted the key areas
considered by the Audit and Risk Committee at its meeting
on 5th February 2013.
The draft minutes of the meeting are attached, for noting by
the Board, at Appendix 1.
The Board NOTED the contents of the report and
minutes of the Audit and Risk Committee held on 5th
February 2013.
16.
Report of the Chair of the Development Committee
The Board received a report which highlighted the key areas
considered by the Development Committee at the meetings
held on the 17th January 2013 and 14th February 2013.
Both sets of minutes from these meetings are attached for
noting by the Board at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2,
respectively.
The Board NOTED the contents of the report and the
Development Committee minutes attached at Appendix
1 and 2.
17.
Forward Planner
The Board NOTED the Forward Planner.
18.
Date and Time of Next Meeting
Board Meeting - Tuesday 21st May 2013 at 2pm,
Centenary House, Eccles.
(The meeting closed at 3.30pm.)
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