SSTAG's second public meeting at the Eastern Cood Companions Club was a great success although the time and location did not suit everybody. We cannot please everybody etc....but will continue with meetings in other parishes and locations in the future.
The lounge at Le Marais suited this particular meeting extremely well and encouraged a more relaxed atmosphere to discuss what turned out to be the main item on the agenda.
It was good to hear from the three States Members present and several had apologised in advance with prior engagements so we are confident that SSTAG is progressing and gaining in credibility. Rome was not built in a day etc and several new public members signed up so we are very optimistic.
The first part of the meeting was devoted to an introduction to SSTAG because most faces were new and it was especially good to hear from the founder of a Housing Association from another States complex and to discuss mutual housing and social concerns.
We are not in competion with other groups and are keen to make working contacts.
We stressed again that SSTAG has been formed in response to changes that have already taken place and the huge reforms that are planned within the next year by the States in the provision of housing, social security and health besides all the other things - such as a new bus service contractor - which will affect ALL of us.
During such public discussions it is always interesting to hear about practical problems such as windows falling out from 14th floor States' flats as well as concerns about immigration and population controls.
SSTAG needs just this sort of feedback to build up knowledge and to be able to speak on the basis of certainty and we want States Members to hear the discussions at first hand too.
A future meeting will include a discussion on immigration matters and suggestions are invited.
Coincidentally, we introduced a Romanian couple to Chief Minister Gorst for a chance discussion in the Royal Square and it's a pity that the video camera was not to hand. Even in that ten minutes encounter a great deal of useful information was exchanged and we hope that "immigrants" are being fully consulted in the official discussions currently taking place. They have a great deal of knowledge - and understanding - of the problems and their "wider view" needs to be heard.
As this piece is being written, the discussion about the safe housing of convicted sex offenders is still taking place on BBC Radio and it is quite incredible how much attention has been given to the subject by the "accredited media". Obviously we are very pleased to have brought this matter to a general public attention and that an official review is to be undertaken to find out what went wrong etc. For SSTAG this is a very real and significant result and hopefully demonstrates that we are a serious group with realistic aims and objectives. We wish that the media would take as much interest in the rest of our agenda but we appreciate that this was a simple single issue with strong emotive elements - so ideal to report upon.
We devoted about one hour to this discussion following an explanation from (Probation Officer) Mike Cutland regarding the workings of "JMAPPA." He took some flack during a "lively" exchange which was useful and informative all round but of course the underlying problems are yet to be examined.
We don't propose to write at length here about this discussion but if anybody who was present would like to submit a summary or a view we shall be pleased to publish it. The media were present and have already published much information on the matter which is - as we have tried to stress - just an aspect of SSTAG's wide terms of reference. We don't want to devote much more time to this single issue at the moment - We have done our bit!
We shall announce soon the date and venue for our next public meeting and as always are keen to hear of suitable and accessible places that can be used at little or no cost.
If you are reading this and have not yet joined - membership of SSTAG is free to the unwaged and just £5 per annum for the waged and we welcome any financial contributions......
Friday, 15 June 2012
Sunday, 27 May 2012
SSTAG next meeting and agenda
As posted previously our next meeting is from 3pm on Thursday 14 June 2012
The place is the lounge at the Eastern Good Companions Club
Le Marais
St Clement
There is car parking and ALL are welcome to attend.
We did try to post a picture here of a notice that has been appearing in States housing blocks in the Le Marais area but for technical reasons this has had to be witheld.
This notice claims that a convicted sex offender has moved into the area and names the person etc.
We think that this raises particular matters of concern that might be discussed at our next meeting especially since it relates speifically to the Le Marais area.
Before the next meeting on 14 June we will try to contact Housing Minister Deputy Green to find out what is the official policy regarding housing such persons in areas where there are children and we will also try to obtain the comments of Senator Le Marquand, the Minister at the Home Affairs Department and the Law Officers regarding the legal aspects of displying such notices etc.
SSTAG has not formed any policy on this matter but at this stage is simply making enquiries to discover information and we will be interested to receive any comments on this or suggestions for other matters to be discussed in future.
WE hope to invite specialist speakers from the Housing, Health and Social Security Department to answer questions during the next few months so please let us know which issues concern you most - and don't forget to join SSTAG if you want to be an active participant .
Membership is only £5 if you are working and FREE if not.
The place is the lounge at the Eastern Good Companions Club
Le Marais
St Clement
There is car parking and ALL are welcome to attend.
We did try to post a picture here of a notice that has been appearing in States housing blocks in the Le Marais area but for technical reasons this has had to be witheld.
This notice claims that a convicted sex offender has moved into the area and names the person etc.
We think that this raises particular matters of concern that might be discussed at our next meeting especially since it relates speifically to the Le Marais area.
Before the next meeting on 14 June we will try to contact Housing Minister Deputy Green to find out what is the official policy regarding housing such persons in areas where there are children and we will also try to obtain the comments of Senator Le Marquand, the Minister at the Home Affairs Department and the Law Officers regarding the legal aspects of displying such notices etc.
SSTAG has not formed any policy on this matter but at this stage is simply making enquiries to discover information and we will be interested to receive any comments on this or suggestions for other matters to be discussed in future.
WE hope to invite specialist speakers from the Housing, Health and Social Security Department to answer questions during the next few months so please let us know which issues concern you most - and don't forget to join SSTAG if you want to be an active participant .
Membership is only £5 if you are working and FREE if not.
Friday, 11 May 2012
Unsocial insecurity in May 2012
Previous interviews with Sam Lally will be found on tomgruchy.blogspot.com
We publish this update so that he can express his views on the priorities of life for him in Jersey and offer no further comments or observations here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have been asked about progress and our first public meeting two days ago. Patience!
We had a successful inaugural AGM and appointed a Secretary so that we should be able to function properly over the coming months. We now have a full Committee and it was agreed that our plan will be to appoint people - States Members where available or appropriate - to lead in specific areas of concern such as Income Support, or Housing issues, or to ask questions in the States or put forward views there.
But we agreed that we prefer States Members to be more in the role of consultants and advisers and not on the Committee. We shall see what happens - because we as tenants or welfare/health users and suchlike also need active involvement from them and we want to be effective as a lobby group - just as lawyers, estate agents, accountants, doctors and dentists atc all have their own effective voice.
The general discussion part of the meeting was extremenly good inspite of a poor public attendance (about a dozen for the benefit of those who have asked).
Six States members attended - including three Constables - so perhaps Senator Bailhache has the right idea after all. We aren't proposing to join that particular discussion but it made us think about how we shall have to extend the scope of our work into the country parishes too. An informal suggestion was made that perhaps the Constables Committee might be better used in this respect.
As we expected, several people had specific matters to raise about their own circumstances or experiences and it is always useful to be reminded how tough life can be for those who have to rely upon "social housing" and other public or even charitable provision to survive.
We want to provide a more suitable forum for such discussions at future meetimgs and we also want to spread knowledge around more.
After all - what is the point of gaining a favourable policy decision (such as a back dated payment) if others with the same needs do not know of it?
We discussed many other things such as the whole question of making complaints against the "system" in Jersey and how things are going to get so difficult once the major reforms planned in Health, Housing and Social Security are implemented. So, if you are interested in such matters you had better make the effort to join in. Fill out a form (£5 membership for the waged - Free to the unwaged) and participate in whatever way you can manage.
The six States Members present were refreshingly supportive - did your representatives attend? We could publish their names here but would hope that you might contact your own Deputy, Constable or any of the Senators to check it out for yourself and so spread the word.
We are up and running and our next meeting is AS BELOW on Thursday 14 June. The format be different. Keep watching this space for any news and make contact if you want to give or receive help.
You do not have to wait until the 14th to get involved.
NEXT MEETING
is
3pm on THURSDAY 14 JUNE
at
EASTERN GOOD COMPANIONS CLUB
Le Marais
St Clement
It would be helpful if any people who know that they will attend could make contact ASAP with SSTAG so that we do not waste resources on adverts etc and they might like to offer ANY assistance.
We would appreciate any suggestions for a central venue at minimal cost that is wheelchair (and people) friendly and whether a daytime or evening time is better.
This next meeting will be in the lounge. There is car parking.
ALL ARE WELCOME
Friday, 4 May 2012
SSTAG and YOU and Thursday 10 May 2012
SSTAG Social Security and Tenants’ Action Group
SSTAG is a new and improved STAG (the former States Tenants’ Action Group)
but with much wider terms of reference and interests.
SSTAG is now concerned with ;
SOCIAL SECURITY issues for ALL claimants, employees or pensioners
ALL TENANTS – whether in public or private accommodation and lodgings
HEALTH related welfare issues
We are a self help and lobbying group set up to challenge such policies as ;
The 20% - 40% rent increases of the States Housing Department
The devaluing of retirement pensions
Ever increasing doctors and dental charges
A witch-hunt against income support claimants
We support a fairer society where welfare support is available to those in need - as of right - not on a charitable, discretionary basis.
We believe that the dignity of ALL people in Jersey should be respected
This year (2012), immense changes are planned in Jersey to control housing, work and immigration opportunities.
A Population Register will be compiled in December this year and Identity (ID) Cards with details of work and housing status for ALL residents will be issued.
These new and far reaching controls will be administered by a new section under the Chief Minister’s control. The Housing Department will be replaced by an Association.
Employment opportunities for some existing and potential residents will be restricted.
At the same time, anti-discrimination laws are promised to be approved this year so that greater equality of opportunity can be achieved for ALL residents of Jersey .
SSTAG will seek to monitor the new policies as they develop, to publish information and lobby if and when changes are seen to be necessary.
Contacts :
Denise Carroll MBE (Acting Chair) 15 Le Clos St Andre, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3JH tel 01534 876727
Mike Dun (Information Officer) 208 Le Marais, St Clement JE2 6GG tel 01534 862929
e-mail mikedunjersey@gmail.com
Temporary blogsite SSTAG sstagjsyblogspot.com/ SSTAG website is under construction
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
SSTAG meetings
SSTAG will be holding a meeting on THURSDAY 10th MAY 2012
at ST PAUL'S CENTRE 6.45pm to elect committee 7pm open meeting.
If you are keen to become involved find out more by joining us or contact
Telephone 01534 862929 or 876727
at ST PAUL'S CENTRE 6.45pm to elect committee 7pm open meeting.
If you are keen to become involved find out more by joining us or contact
Telephone 01534 862929 or 876727
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
INTRODUCTION TO SSTAG
SSTAG is the newly formed Social Security and Tenants' Action Group.
It is picking up where STAG (States Tenants' Action Group for Jersey) left off and will soon be appointing a Committee under a totally new Constitution.
This is our temporary blog site until a proper Website can be established.
SSTAG has been formed to deal with Social Security and Health/welfare issues besides ALL tenants - whether in States or private housing or lodgings - and will be researching,lobbying,publishing information and advising on a very wide range of matters.
The Jersey government is planning major reforms in all areas based upon the central CSR (Comprehensive Spending Review) cuts which are seeking to reduce States spending by £65millions and more.
Social Security,Housing and Health are being especially targetted by the government to be reformed. Everybody in Jersey will be affected but the burden will fall upon the least well off and those with long term sickness or disabilities.
But we stress that EVERYBODY will be affected so we expect to be lobbying and advising on such matters as pensions or dental care and doctors' charges too because these are all interlinked with our primary SSTAG remit.
All these matters are evermore complicated. It is no longer,for example,just about Rent Rebates or dealing with one Housing Department.
Now individuals have to seek Income Support through Social Security with a myriad of component parts based upon the concept of "the household".
There is now a common "gateway" system in operation for all applicants seeking to be housed by the States,Trusts or the Parishes but who knows how it works or whether it is fair?
Later this year, far reaching new laws will be introduced to Jersey to control all housing and job opportunities in conjunction with ID cards and a Register of ALL people in the Island.
It is planned to scrap the Housing Department and form new agencies to deal with the provision and management of all so called 'social housing'.
It is proposed to increase States rents by up to 40% over a period of years.
It is already often difficult to discover what benefits might be claimed or what tenancy rights exist or how a "means test" shall be applied.
SSTAG will attempt to address all such issues and call upon people (including States Members) who have specialist knowledge and understanding to advise and help.
We are not just here to complain.We are a self-help and lobbying group and will offer a service that does not exist at the present time.
We need YOUR support and participation and we shall also need practical and financial assistance.
You can contact us by leaving a comment here
Acting Chair Denise Carroll on 01534 876727 email. dcarroll@localdial.com
or
Mike Dun (Information Officer) on 01534 86292 email: mikedunjersey@gmail.com
Two interviews above with Deputy Green, the Jersey Housing Minister following the launch of the White
Paper
"Achieving Decent Homes: An Affordable Housing Framework for the Future" April 2012
R47
Thanks Ian for help with spacing!
It is picking up where STAG (States Tenants' Action Group for Jersey) left off and will soon be appointing a Committee under a totally new Constitution.
This is our temporary blog site until a proper Website can be established.
SSTAG has been formed to deal with Social Security and Health/welfare issues besides ALL tenants - whether in States or private housing or lodgings - and will be researching,lobbying,publishing information and advising on a very wide range of matters.
The Jersey government is planning major reforms in all areas based upon the central CSR (Comprehensive Spending Review) cuts which are seeking to reduce States spending by £65millions and more.
Social Security,Housing and Health are being especially targetted by the government to be reformed. Everybody in Jersey will be affected but the burden will fall upon the least well off and those with long term sickness or disabilities.
But we stress that EVERYBODY will be affected so we expect to be lobbying and advising on such matters as pensions or dental care and doctors' charges too because these are all interlinked with our primary SSTAG remit.
All these matters are evermore complicated. It is no longer,for example,just about Rent Rebates or dealing with one Housing Department.
Now individuals have to seek Income Support through Social Security with a myriad of component parts based upon the concept of "the household".
There is now a common "gateway" system in operation for all applicants seeking to be housed by the States,Trusts or the Parishes but who knows how it works or whether it is fair?
Later this year, far reaching new laws will be introduced to Jersey to control all housing and job opportunities in conjunction with ID cards and a Register of ALL people in the Island.
It is planned to scrap the Housing Department and form new agencies to deal with the provision and management of all so called 'social housing'.
It is proposed to increase States rents by up to 40% over a period of years.
It is already often difficult to discover what benefits might be claimed or what tenancy rights exist or how a "means test" shall be applied.
SSTAG will attempt to address all such issues and call upon people (including States Members) who have specialist knowledge and understanding to advise and help.
We are not just here to complain.We are a self-help and lobbying group and will offer a service that does not exist at the present time.
We need YOUR support and participation and we shall also need practical and financial assistance.
You can contact us by leaving a comment here
Acting Chair Denise Carroll on 01534 876727 email. dcarroll@localdial.com
or
Mike Dun (Information Officer) on 01534 86292 email: mikedunjersey@gmail.com
Two interviews above with Deputy Green, the Jersey Housing Minister following the launch of the White
Paper
"Achieving Decent Homes: An Affordable Housing Framework for the Future" April 2012
R47
Thanks Ian for help with spacing!
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