Archived News 2008
Bute Credit Union and ACHA work together to encourage tenants to save and access affordable loans
15 December 2008
Bute Credit Union has signed a deal with one of Argyll and Bute’s largest housing associations that will allow tenants to pay into their Bute Credit Union savings and loans accounts throughout the working week or along with their rent.
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) and Bute Credit Union want to provide tenants with a convenient and efficient way to save their money, and to give them access to low cost loans. This process encourages tenants to save on a regular basis, which, in turn, allows them to take out loans without threatening their financial situation by turning to credit cards, doorstep lenders or other high interest loans.
Gillian McInnes, ACHA’s Community Development Manager said: “With over 500 tenants on the island of Bute we have a close link with the community, many of whom are financially vulnerable. We are delighted to be working with Bute Credit Union and other credit unions throughout Argyll and Bute. We want to ensure that our tenants have the opportunity to look after their money safely and can take out a loan ethically and according to what they can afford. This is particularly the case at a time when the economy is on a downturn and when our tenants need support.”
Alex Gibson, President of Bute Credit Union said: “We are delighted that ACHA and ourselves have become partner organisations. They serve a large number of people throughout the Isle of Bute, many of whom are already members of our credit union. We hope that we can work together and with other housing associations in the area to help to give their tenants access to savings and affordable loan facilities which are safe, efficient and convenient.”
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3 December 2008
ACHA has successfully taken legal action to evict a tenant who was convicted in court of ‘being concerned in the supply of drugs’. Eviction and repossession of the property in Oban took place on Friday the 21st of November 2008 and is the fifth victory against drug dealing for the Housing Association throughout Argyll.
Iona MacPhail, Area Manager for Oban, Lorn & Isles said: “I would hope this reinforces our commitment to our tenants that we will not endure drug dealing in our communities, and that ACHA will continue to pursue legal action against any tenant that is convicted of these offences.” Inspector Neil Wallace added “Strathclyde Police fully support the actions taken by ACHA in relation to anti-social tenants, especially those convicted of serious drug charges. This type of direct action sends a clear message to tenants that being involved in the drugs scene may ultimately result in you losing your home.”
Roddy McCuish, local Councillor and member of ACHA’s Board of Management further added: “ACHA will not tolerate anti-social behaviour of any form, especially drug dealing, and is prepared to go ahead with exhaustive and expensive legal action to protect the wider community.”
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ACHA Helps Combat Credit Crunch
2 December 2008
ACHA brought a theatre performance on personal finance for young people across Argyll recently. ‘At home with the Wiltons’ which is part Simpsons, part Waltons, was performed to pupils at Dunoon Grammar School, Campbeltown Grammar School and Islay High School. This new and innovative project has helped educate over 650 young people across Argyll through theatre and workshops.
ACHA’s Community Development Manager, Gillian McInnes, said “At a time when every household worries about money, this practical example of financial awareness is well timed.” She added “If this project gives young people in Argyll the tools needed to prevent them getting into debt it will have been well worth it.”
This is part of a larger project which includes the promotion of credit unions throughout Argyll and the production of a useful advice handbook for tenants and young people. Developed in partnership with Citizens Advice, Young Scot, Argyll and Bute Councils Debt Advice team and funded by the Scottish Government, ACHA hopes that this initiative will have long term benefits for tenants and young people.
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Oban affordable housing delayed 9 months after site preparation
28 November 2008An 8 unit housing scheme planned for Croft Avenue in Oban has become bogged down due to Government officials inflexibility over housing association grant rates. The scheme at Croft Avenue would have provided 8 homes for rent. Argyll Community Housing Association currently has 528 families and single people on its waiting list for rented housing in Oban.
The Scottish Government reduced the housing association grant rate from £107,000 to £73,000 per house earlier this year. Assurances were given that this was not a cap but an overall target and that flexibility would be given, particularly in rural areas with higher costs. This has not happened and this week ACHA was advised that the scheme would not be approved despite the Association resubmitting a funding application at £88,000 per unit, £19,000 less than the previous allowed levels.
Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive, commented “We were assured flexibility would be applied but that just hasn’t happened. We are now in a position that a desperately needed affordable housing project cannot go ahead unless there is some give from Government officials.” He further added “At a time when we are being encouraged to do all we can to work with Government to meet housing need and to stimulate the building industry this is incredibly frustrating”.
Councillor Neil Mackay commented “This site has great potential to provide good quality affordable homes quickly. I would urge Scottish Government officials to use the flexibility that the Minister has given, we have too many people desperately requiring housing in the town for any further delays”.
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ACHA welcomes safe and successful Bonfire Night
6 November 2008
ACHA, along with Oban Police, the Ambulance and Fire Services, voluntary groups and local Councillors worked together to ensure that Bonfire Night was a safe and successful community event.
From ACHA’s perspective this involved supporting our partners in the community in encouraging everyone that was interested in celebrating the event to attend the organised fireworks display in Mossfield Park. ACHA also worked closely with the Police and the Council in removing material and unauthorised bonfires in the run up to the 5th November and having staff on standby to assist the emergency services.
Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive commented “I am delighted that all the hard work put in by the respective partners in the community delivered a safe and successful Bonfire Night. There were a couple of minor incidents late on in the evening which were dealt with quickly. I, and a number of my colleagues, attended for the second year the fireworks display in Mossfield Park which was a great success. This is definitely the way forward and ACHA looks forward to working again with our partners in the community to support next year’s event”.
Roddy McCuish, Chairman of the Oban Fireworks Initiative, said “I am delighted at the turnout at Mossfield Park on November 5th, also very pleased that there were no major incidents in the Oban area regarding illegal bonfires. This definitely shows that all the agencies and housing association working together, to have a safe display at Mossfield, is the way forward.”
Inspector Neil Wallace stated “Strathclyde Police are pleased to have been part of the multi-agency approach which ensured this year’s bonfire night passed without serious incident. ACHA and Strathclyde Police worked closely in the run up to the 5th November 2008 ensuring that materials which could have been used to erect illegal bonfires were not allowed to accumulate. This had the positive effect of there only being three calls received by Strathclyde Police to attend fireworks related calls. This is a marked reduction on previous years.”
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Tenants Home Contents Insurance
31 October 2008
ACHA is offering a prize of £500 of shopping vouchers to one lucky winner from ACHA tenants and right to buy owners purchasing our home contents insurance. Full details are available in a PDF leaflet by clicking here.
Only owners who bought directly from ACHA or Argyll and Bute Council are eligible to buy the insurance.
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ACHA factoring proposals well received
3 October 2008Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) is delighted at the response it has received from private owners regarding the introduction of a factoring service by the Association throughout Argyll and Bute.
Out of more than 800 responses received to our initial letter that was sent to owners many are supportive of the principles of factoring. With comments saying “It’s about time a factoring service was introduced”, “I’m very interested and expect my neighbours will be too” and “Yes, at last someone has a good idea”, it is apparent that there is a demand for the maintenance of blocks of properties to be managed as a whole.
The Association’s staff have also attended at least 12 meeting of the Area Committees, Tenants and Residents Association and meetings with Councillors. In addition a meeting has already taken place with the majority of owners in the first block to be launched into the factoring service and further updates as to progress shall be available soon.
The information helpfully supplied by owners has enabled ACHA to review the planned pilot projects to enable factoring to be put into operation. Nick Pollard, Director of Finance & IT at ACHA said, “On behalf of the Association I would like to thank all residents who took the time to respond and raise comments and suggestions on the factoring service. We value all the contributions made and they have certainly assisted us in better planning for the delivery of what is a much needed service throughout Argyll and Bute.”
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Second annual general meeting held
25 September 2008
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has held its second Annual General Meeting since stock transfer in November 2006. ACHA’s Chairman, Norman Beaton, in his report to members, highlighted the work carried out by the Association over the past year.
This included the installation of 1,314 kitchens and bathrooms, 741 windows and doors and 707 new heating systems and rewires to tenants’ homes. This amounted to an investment of £9.2million.
In addition the Chairman was able to report the start on site of the Association’s first new build housing in Campbeltown. When both phases of the development are completed this will provide over 80 new homes. In addition to the Campbeltown new build, it was reported that the Association plans to build homes in Oban, Garelochhead and Tarbert.
In terms of day to day performance, the Association was running at an arrears level of only 2.2% of rents collectible, and out of a housing stock of over 5,000 only 90 were void at the year end.
The Chairman also reported that the Association had some success during the year with respect to taking decree for recovery of possession against five tenants for drug dealing and anti social behaviour, which was as a result of the priority given to this by the Association.
In terms of the funding of development programmes of housing association in Argyll and Bute, the Chairman reported to members his concern of the cut in grant funding to build homes this year from £21million to £14million and that the Association would do all that it could with Argyll and Bute Council and other housing associations to lobby for a change in this position. At the Board meeting, at the conclusion of the AGM, Norman Beaton from Ardrishaig was returned as Chairman, Bill McIntyre from Helensburgh as Vice-Chairman and Stewart McGregor from Lochgilphead as Secretary
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ACHA launches £1/2million investment programme in Coll and Tiree
15 September 2008
Argyll Community Housing Association has started its housing investment programme in the 38 properties it owns in Coll and Tiree.This will involve all ACHA tenants receiving new kitchens and bathrooms during 2008 and 2009, as well as 25 new heating systems and 15 electrical rewires being carried out.A further 13 homes will receive new windows and external doors.
Visiting Tiree to see the completion of the first kitchen and bathroom renewal, Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive, commented “I am delighted to see this milestone in ACHA’s investment programme and to see the work being carried out by a Tiree-based contractor, Kevan Brown.Hopefully over the next year the £1/2 million we are investing in our 38 homes in Coll and Tiree will make a great difference to our tenants’ quality of life.”
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4 September 2008
ACHA and Scottish and Southern Energy plc are delighted to announce that they have signed a preferred energy supplier agreement.
The preferred energy agreement means that when ACHA properties become void the gas and electricity supplier will transfer from the existing supplier to Scottish and Southern Energy (Scottish Hydro Electric). This means that the Association only has to deal with one energy supplier using a standardised process and forms rather than many different suppliers with different processes and forms. This is less complex and more efficient, particularly where long void periods are concerned.
In addition, any new build properties that ACHA develops will be supplied in the first instance by Scottish and Southern Energy (Scottish Hydro Electric).
The agreement will last initially for three years. The arrangement does not prevent any new occupying tenant from exercising their freedom of choice regarding their energy supplier for electricity or gas once they have taken up their new tenancy. Any existing arrangements made by current tenants are wholly unaffected by this agreement
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Sheltered housing service secured by ACHA’s board
Following a meeting of ACHA’s Board a number of proposals were unanimously agreed to protect the viability of the Association’s sheltered housing complexes following the 100% removal of Supporting People grant funding.
These proposals involved the twinning of eight sheltered housing complexes where warden services would be shared. On site warden presence would be for up to 4 hours per day depending on the size of the complex. The on site warden sleepover arrangements would cease and the existing Hanover Telecare system would cover this. This would ensure that 24 hours a day there would be either a warden or professional support through Hanover Telecare available.
The Board also agreed to introduce service charges which would cover common heating, lighting, cleaning, warden and alarm services, which would be phased in over a 3 year period, comparable to those charged by other housing associations. The Board further agreed to make energy efficiency savings in terms of common heating and lighting which could be delivered through the introduction of more efficient products.
ACHA’s Board also asked officers to explore future partnership with other housing associations who provide sheltered housing services to identify areas where joint working could provide out of hours services to sheltered housing tenants.
ACHA’s Board, made up of tenants, Councillors and Independents, faced with the financial reality of the removal of Government funding, unanimously agreed the proposals which will allow us to continue with our sheltered housing service, provide wardens and a backup through Hanover Telecare. ACHA’s Board will be prepared to re-visit this area if public grant is restored to the housing association, either through central or local Government provision.
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Argyll Community Housing Association is setting up a Factoring Service for private owners who live in properties which were formerly owned by ACHA or the Local Authority.
Factoring is a property management service put in place to co-ordinate and carry out work on behalf of property owners.
Factoring is important to tenemental properties to ensure routine maintenance and repairs are carried out as and when they arise along with upgrading works (e.g. painting). Any properties which have common property or common ground will benefit from factoring as the Association will instruct work and recover costs from private owners, rather than owners having to pay the whole account and recover money from neighbours themselves.
There are just under 6,000 ex right to buy properties and the Association is starting factoring with a number of pilot schemes in various areas of Argyll and Bute and, once they are fully operational, factoring will be rolled out through the whole of Argyll and Bute.
Argyll Community Housing Association is writing to private owners and inviting them to comment on the factoring proposals. Owners will then be sent detailed information on factoring fees and charges and the pilot properties will be contacted to discuss factoring for their specific property so that each property and common ground is dealt with on an individual basis before being fully factored.
Norman Beaton, Chair of Argyll Community Housing Association said, “A factoring service for property owners is long overdue as many owners have difficulty in getting agreement from neighbours to carry out repairs and upgrading work which results in work being delayed and costs increasing. The Association will manage the provision of the service for owners. This is why a factoring service operated and regulated by the Association will greatly benefit home owners.”
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Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Show
ACHA's Islay staff will be manning a stall at the show on Thursday 14 August, we'd like anyone with an interest to come by and find out more about what ACHA is up to across the islands.
The Bowmore office will be closed, no payments can be taken at the show. If you need to report a repair please call free on 0800 0282755.
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Sheltered Housing Services Update
ACHA are currently consulting staff and tenants by holding meetings on how we can continue with a viable sheltered housing service. On 4 July we held a full staff consultation. Tenant consultation meetings are being held for each complex this month. All residents in the 11 complexes where we have warden cover have been invited and special arrangements are in place where residents have difficulty attending. As with any change the reaction so far has been mixed.
ACHA’s Board will take into consideration the views expressed and the viability of the continuing service before making a final decision in August.
A further statement will be made after our August 14 Board Meeting.
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Ceol Mor (Big Music) Challenge - Sponsored Hand Sheep Shear
Alastair MacGregor, the Chief Executive of ACHA, swapped the suit for a set of sheep shears to clip 50 sheep in one session. Raising funds for the tuition of Piobaireachd among young pipers in Argyll and Bute. The event took place on Saturday 21st June at Ardconnel Farm, Connel. Alastair provides a personal message below.
Despite not the greatest weather forecast in the world I decided to go for it at 7.05 am on Saturday morning, 5 hours later 50 sheep were shorn, my right arm felt like it was in a vice and I was going about like the hunchback of Notre Dame. A few thanks are more than due. To Duncan and Ian for catching them and throwing them out when I’d clipped each one, to my Dad for keeping the shears sharp, to Mum for the tea and rolls and sausage, to Ewan, Jamie and Rachel for rolling the fleeces, to Kate for the patience shown over the last month of fundraising, and for the surprise present of the shepherd’s crook at the end and to Councillor Roddy McCuish for the continuing messages of support on Oban FM to keep the momentum going. I took the borderline jokes, Roddy, with the greatest of aplomb.
My last thanks are to all of you, the people and businesses of Argyll and Bute and beyond. Through your sponsorship, by this morning, we have raised £4,010 which will go to piping tuition for our young people. I am totally overwhelmed by the support, generosity and help given in this endeavour. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that something that started as a bit of a joke over a few drams 6 weeks ago would catch the imagination in the way it did. If you have taken the pledge but not sent your money in could you make the cheque payable to the Ceol Mor Challenge and post it to the Municipal Buildings, Albany Street, Oban.
Thank you again and I look forward to keeping you up to date on the progress that your generosity will make possible in the development of piping talent for children in Argyll and Bute. If anyone has any spare Ralgex just send it to me, I think it will come in handy over the next few weeks.
Slainte
Alastair
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Communities Scotland
Communities Scotland has published their Review of Scottish Registered Social Landlords based on figures from 2006-07. The report includes figures from ACHA. It is available in PDF from their website by clicking here.
ACHA welcomes Stewart McGregor and George Farquhar to the Board of Management, click here for a full list of members.
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Residents of Miller Park, Saddell will benefit from the recently completed flood relief project designed to intercept surface run off from the high ground to the west of the properties.
For years the garden and street areas were susceptible to flooding during period of intensive wet weather when the ground was unable to absorb the surface water. This also resulted in flooding to the public highway.
Argyll Community Housing Association working in association with local Councillor Rory Colville, Argyll and Bute Council Roads, Scottish Water and local farmer Terrance Glen co-ordinated the design, procurement and installation of the required works to provide the flood relief system. It provides an example and benefit of what can be achieved through multi agency team working.
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