Tornado Residents

Minutes of Residents Tornado Meeting – 30th August 2005

Present
Mohammed Amin Evans – Resident Balsall Heath
Abdullah Rehman – Resident & Community Warden (BHF)
Ted Ryan – Resident Balsall Heath
Anjam – Resident & Community Warden (BHF)
Councillor Barry Henley - (Moseley Ward)
Nicky Barron – Resident & Capacity Builder (BHF)
Sanjeer Duggal – Resident & Community Worker (BHF)
Rohan Green – Resident Balsall Heath
Rachel – Resident Balsall Heath
Esther Boyd – Resident Moseley
Kara – Resident Balsall Heath
Dick Atkinson - Resident & co-ordinator (BHF)
Pauline Roach – Resident Balsall Heath

Ted was nominated as chair and agreed to take on this role on an ongoing basis.
Nicky (BHF) took notes

Introduction – The need for resident representation

BCC have been holding regular meetings regarding the need for rebuilding and renewal of the Tornado hit areas of South Birmingham. Residents have been invited to attend regular public meetings. However, the voice of residents have been lost within these meetings, and so they have decided to hold their own meetings, being facilitated by Balsall Heath Forum, on a regular basis.

Need to discuss immediate concerns – e.g. developing Street Reps, Medium term e.g. problem of lack of insurance and long term, e.g., regeneration of whole of Ladypool/Church Rd area.

The meetings can be used to facilitate development of a “shopping list” of short and long term solutions. Residents need to lead on this.

These meetings will direct a representative group of residents that can liaise with key people within BCC. Need be imaginative about the form that the meetings take so that people will attend.

There will be a communal buffet next week at St Pauls, at which people will get an opportunity to work in groups sharing ideas for renewal.

Mohammed Amin suggested residents could attend meeting/meal event held for councillors at mosque.

Contacting Residents

Are we confident that we are the voice of the residents?

BHF will advertise meetings throughout the area.

Contacting residents has been problematic due to people moving away, also email is usually used and not everyone has this.

Need to contact people from Hamza Mosque.

All members please be aware of people who may not be currently able to access information and help to facilitate this

Street Reps
BCC have made up a list of people offering to become Street Reps but this does not seem to have been currently acted upon. BHF have Street Steward Scheme, with some Stewards in the Balsall Heath Tornado area. They are trying to access funding for some additional capacity workers who will be able to help in accessing and supporting the activities of active residents.

Becky Jones has promised Esther that she would help to put together details of existing groups and active residents.

Prob of Balsall Heath/Moseley Divide.
The Tornado area relevant to us runs through 2 districts. There is currently no means of communication between councils of the 2 districts.

There are 2 important depts in the council that we need to have contact with. Clive Dutton is in overall control of both of these departments.

Barry to give details of people to contact within the district

Security

The level of security in the area has recently been reduced from 36 people to 7. It was said that this was at the request of residents. However none of those present or who are known to us supported the action. There have been high levels of stealing and violent incidents in the area.

Some of these problems have been experienced e.g., with gangs of youths, even before the tornado. This should be discussed and incorporated into the larger renewal agenda.

Hardship Fund

Lord Mayor was unable to administer the fund, but has agreed to be patron.

Birmingham Foundation have agreed to administer. Need for worker to attend faith groups, residents meetings etc to encourage people to claim from the fund.

ACTION – set up disaster fund

Insurance

People cannot afford to fix their houses. Need for grants not loans that people won’t be able to afford to repay. Need to see situation in terms of the collective community not individuals.

It is in the interest of the insurer to contribute towards the cost of recovery of whole community.

Press for enveloping systems when rebuilding houses.

Contact other agencies. Do this by getting on the agenda at the DSP. (Next DSP meeting is Thursday 15th September)

Tomorrows meeting – 7 pm at St Paul’s 31Aug05.

• 1. We want ½ the meeting (minimum) to discuss the issues brought up today.
• 2. Recognition of the resident led “Tornado Ad hoc Committee”
• 3. Need for representation from each affected road.
• 4. Launch of emergency fund.

Dick to draw up agenda for this.
Ted to continue to chair.
All members to pass information to people who don’t have email, and get their phone numbers if possible

Barry to send details to Ken Hardeman, Clive Dutton etc, and say residents want to meet with them on regular basis.

Need for residents to attend next Ward Committee Meeting.