Archived News 2010
Salen Children Benefit from Refurbishment of their Playparks
2nd July, 2010
Playparks at Bentalla Crescent and Jarvisfield in Salen have recently been upgraded by Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA). These refurbishments were made possible through £67,000 of funding from the Scottish Government’s Early Action Fund.
The children at Salen are delighted with both play areas, especially the pre 5 unit as the Bentalla Play Area is right on their door step.
ACHA’s Chief Executive, Alastair MacGregor commented “ACHA is delighted to carry out this much needed work on the two playparks, which will benefit the local children. It is beneficial that they are ready to be used during the summer holiday”
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Balloons of Hope Signify New Housing Start for Campbeltown
21 June 10
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) welcomed Housing and Communities Minister, Alex Neil MSP, to Campbeltown to officially open the organisation’s 52 home development, New Parliament Place
A key part of the official opening was the release of Balloons of Hope by children from the neighbouring Dalintober Primary School. Each balloon carried a child’s wish for the future.
The development itself was built on the site of tenements which had reached the end of their life and had been demolished.
The overall cost of the development amounted to £6.9million of which £5.5million came from the Scottish Government and was part of a commitment following the stock transfer to ACHA in November 2006.
The design of the new homes was taken forward by the local Dalintober and Millknowe Tenants and Residents Association, working with ACHA’s design team.
The competed development is a mixture of houses and flats with solar panels for heating, and much of the demolished tenements were recycled. The development also provides 6 allotments.
Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said
“The Scottish Government is investing £5.5 million to provide quality affordable homes for the people of Argyll, which is more good housing news for the area.
“The construction of these 52 energy efficient homes is vital to ensure the prosperity of Argyll and it helps to house and retain the local population.
“It will also sustain the local building trade and related businesses.”
Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive added “Back in 2004 a number of us met to plan a future for Parliament Place and Broad Street, 6 years later we see a dream become a reality. They are the best houses I have seen built in 25 years working in housing.”
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ACHA Obtains it's First ASBO in Bute
7 June 10
Argyll Community Housing Association has successfully obtained an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against one of their tenants for various breaches of their Tenancy Agreement.
The investigation related to incidents in a town centre location spanning over a considerable length of time involving noise nuisance, breaches of the peace and damage to ACHA property.
Susan Stewart, Housing Officer said “It is regrettable that ACHA have had to take this course of action but the tenant and their family continued to act in an anti-social manner despite numerous warnings”.
Rosemary McMillan, Local Manager said “I would urge our tenants/residents to report anti-social incidents they have experienced by phoning 01700 501314 and speaking to a duty officer who will record the details. The matter will then be investigated where required by our Housing & Neighbourhood Services Team”.
Alastair MacGregor, Chief Executive of ACHA stated “The Association is pleased that in obtaining this court order it demonstrates the steps we will take to help protect communities from anti social behaviour”.
The Association would like to thank all parties involved with the progression of this case particularly the Police and Argyll & Bute Council for their joint working approach with ACHA.
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New Soroba Rail Bridge Officially Opens
21 May 2010
The new Soroba Rail Bridge was officially opened today (Friday 21st May) by Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, Chair of Highland and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS).
The £820,000 project was commissioned by Argyll Community Housing Association as part of a deal struck between the Scottish Government, Argyll and Bute Council and the Association during the housing stock transfer in November 2006.
The new bridge replaces the original structure which was built in 1973 and was no longer structurally safe. The contract was built through Carillion Civil Engineering Scotland Ltd and was completed in 4 weeks and involved the bridge parts being assembled off-site and delivered to Oban in a convoy of vehicles.
The official opening involved the cutting of a ribbon by Councillor MacIntyre and the planting of a tree and a time capsule by local children from Soroba. There was also a march across the bridge led by piper Keith Macrae from Oban High School who lives in Soroba.
Commenting at the opening, Councillor MacIntyre said: “I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in the planning and carrying out of this major project.
“I know how vital this footbridge is to the communities it serves, and I am delighted that they now have a state of the art, safe structure to link the Soroba and Drummore Road areas.
“This link was badly missed while the work was going on. But I’d like to thank the local people for their patience, and I am sure they now feel that the inconvenience was well worth it.”
Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive, added: “As an association we are very pleased that an additional benefit from the housing stock transfer was to secure funding for this vital piece of transport infrastructure which continues the safe pedestrian link between Soroba and the town of Oban.”
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Home Improvements Completed as ACHA Tenant Turns 102 Years Young
6 May 10
Argyll Community Housing Association’s (ACHA) oldest tenant is preparing for a double celebration after planned improvements to her home were completed in time for her 102nd birthday!
Mrs Maisie Robertson of Douglas Cottages, Dunoon was presented with an early birthday cake by Iona MacPhail, ACHA Regional Manager, Bill Coghill, Connaught Partnerships regional director for Scotland and the team of technicians and customer service staff who worked to complete kitchen and bathroom improvements to her property.
On Thursday 6th May, Mrs Robertson will be celebrating her 102nd birthday in her home with friends and family and is delighted with improvements that have been made. She said: “I was a little worried about the improvements to my kitchen and bathroom as there was such a lot of work to do. Obviously it was a disruption for a few days but all my questions were answered and I was kept informed of the works throughout and it was definitely worth it, as the end result is just fabulous.”
Christine Johnston, Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services, said: “All of us at ACHA are delighted to help Mrs Robertson celebrate her birthday. It’s been a real joint effort ensuring the work was completed with a minimum of disruption and it’s a great bonus that we are finished in time to let Mrs Robertson focus on enjoying her birthday.”
Bill Coghill, Connaught Partnerships regional director for Scotland, said: “Where possible the individual requirements of ACHA customers are taken into account as part of the improvement process to their homes and we were delighted to be able to finish our works to allow Mrs Robertson to celebrate her birthday in style.”
ACHA and Connaught are working in partnership to provide kitchen and bathroom improvements to around 3000 properties across the whole of Argyll and Bute.
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Soroba Railway Bridge Now Open For Pedestrian Use
6 April 2010
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) confirmed today that the Soroba Railway Footbridge is now open to members of the public.
There will be continuing works around the new bridge over the next few weeks to complete environmental improvements and services realignments.
The Association hopes that all works will be completed by the end of April 2010 and plan an official opening in May 2010 involving Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, Chair of HiTRANS and members of the local community.
Alastair MacGregor, Chief Executive of ACHA commented “I am delighted that we now have the old bridge down and the new one up providing safe access across the railway line. I would like to thank everyone for their patience while this large engineering project went ahead”
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ACHA Approves Budget of £37.6million for the Coming Year
1 April 2010
ACHA’s Board have just approved a budget of £37.6million for the coming financial year. By far the largest investment, £23.8million, will go into the continuing improvement of the Association’s 5,100 homes in Argyll and Bute. This will result in 1,070 kitchens, 1,070 bathrooms, 600 heating and rewires and 660 houses having new windows and doors installed. The Association also plans to start re-roofing and re-rendering 120 homes.
The Association’s continuing new build programme of 98 homes will see an investment of £2.8million which will allow desperately needed accommodation to be provided in Oban, Ardrishaig, Campbeltown, Islay and Dunoon.
The Association also plans to invest £5million in day to day repairs and planned maintenance in its housing stock.
Commenting on the programme for the coming year the Association’s Chief Executive, Alastair MacGregor, said “In these challenging and difficult economic times I am pleased that we have been able to approve a budget which will improve homes, build new ones and invest in retaining and creating jobs in the Argyll and Bute economy.
He further added “We are particularly pleased that we have been able to secure grants of up to £13.8million from the Scottish Government as part of the stock transfer agreement to meet housing need in Argyll and Bute.”
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Are you interested in becoming a home owner?
19 March 2010
We have 5 properties for sale in our development at New Parliament Place, Campbeltown:
2 apartment cottage flats
3 apartment mid terraced houses
4 apartment end terraced house
The “LIFT” scheme is a Low cost Initiative that is aimed to help people who wish to own their own home but who cannot afford to pay the full price for a house.
Please find attached the following documentation:
Sales brochure for the properties at our Campbeltown Development
Scottish Government Leaflet – Helping you become a home owner
Application Form
If you would like further information on this scheme please contact Yvonne Litster on 01546 604800 or e-mail housing.kintyre@acha.co.uk Alternatively, pop into any ACHA office and speak to any member of staff.
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FISH project ‘nets’ 4 new Welfare Rights Officers
8 March 2010
ACHA (Argyll Community Housing Association) has developed a new welfare rights service for tenants in partnership with Dunbritton Housing Association and West Highland Housing Association.
Building on the success of the FISH project (financial inclusion services in housing) from last year, the housing association partnership has obtained grant funding of £259,000 from the Scottish Government and the Henry Smith Charity for four new welfare rights officers for an 18 month period.
The new welfare rights officers will help tenants of the three associations from all over Argyll and Bute to claim benefits and credits that they are entitled to. It is very often elderly people or those on low incomes who are not claiming and in the UK last year there was an estimated £16 billion of un-claimed income related benefits alone.
ACHA’s Chief Executive, Alastair MacGregor said “We are absolutely delighted to be able to assist our tenants to claim benefits – money they are entitled to and previously have missed out on. This will be a welcome income boost for many individuals and to the Argyll economy.” He further added “At a time of real pressure on grant resources I am really pleased that the hard work of the three associations concerned has managed to secure this valuable resource to help our people.”
The new welfare rights officers will provide services through the ACHA office network throughout Argyll and Bute and will also link up with West Highland and Dunbritton Housing Association facilities.
The new Welfare Rights Officers left to right: David Kelly, Fiona Evamy, Corrina MacKenzie, Garrick Collier.
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MacLeod's Construction Donate DVD Player to Ferffad Court
5th March 2010
Residents of Argyll Community Housing Association’s sheltered housing complex, Ferfadd Court, received a donation of a DVD player from MacLeod Construction Ltd after successfully completing a window contract within the complex. The DVD player was presented by contract manager, Iain MacAskill to Margaret Currie, a resident of Ferfadd Court.
Iain MacAskill said “I noticed that the residents were selling books to raise money for a DVD player and thought that providing a DVD player for them would be a nice gesture to mark the end of the window contract”.
Mrs. Currie said “The contractors have built a good rapport with the tenants from the outset, have kept them well informed at all stages of the works and we are pleased with the end results”. She explained that the DVD player will be used in the communal lounge for regular film nights for the residents.
Alastair Macgregor, Chief Executive of ACHA stated “I am delighted that MacLeod Construction Ltd who are working on the new windows and rendering have been able to donate this DVD player for our tenant’s leisure activities”.
The installation of new double glazing windows at Ferfadd Court will ensure that ACHA are another step closer to meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard’s key criteria for energy efficiency by 2015.
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8 February 2010
Work is to start next week on replacing a railway footbridge in Oban.
The existing bridge, which links the Soroba Housing Estate with Drummore Road, is to be replaced by an £820,000 new structure.
The work, which was commissioned by Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) as part of the Housing Stock Transfer Agreement in 2006, will start on site on February 15 and last approximately six weeks.
The new steel footbridge –which will include ramps to facilitate access – will open to the public by March 30.
There will be no public access to a footbridge for some four weeks of the work schedule. The alternative route for this period will be via McCaig Road.
A display of the plans will placed in the Community Centre in Soroba over the next few days, and an article describing the works will be published in the Soroba Siren newsletter, which is distributed to all households within the estate.
Working hours during the work, which is being carried out by Carillion, will generally be from 07.30 to 18.00.
Weekend working will be kept to a minimum. However, due to restrictions imposed by Network Rail, it will occasionally be necessary to employ a nightshift – either mid-week or at weekends.
Specific operations where night-time working will be required are the removal of the existing bridge and the erection of the new structure.
ACHA chief executive Alastair MacGregor said although access to all local estate roads would be maintained for the rest of the work, these two occasions will require the overnight closures of both Drummore and Soroba Roads.
“Our aim is obviously to minimise disturbance to the residents of Soroba throughout the duration of these works, and a great deal of work has already gone in to ensuring that this is the case,” he added.
“Modern, silenced equipment will be used whenever it can be, and access will be maintained as and when required where at all possible.
“Despite these efforts, there is unfortunately bound to be some disruption to local residents during the works. But I hope they will bear with us in the knowledge that what they will have at the end of it is a modern, state of the art footbridge.”
The dates on which the overnight operations are provisionally scheduled are:
- Saturday Feb 27 21.30hrs – Sunday Feb 28 17.40hrs (Existing Bridge Removal)
- Saturday March 20 21.30hrs – Sunday March 21 17.40hrs (New Structure Erection)
- Sunday March 21 21.30hrs – Monday March 22 07.45 hrs (New Structure Erection)
Argyll and Bute Council’s spokesperson for Transportation and Infrastructure, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, said the community had waited a long time for the bridge to be replaced.
“I am delighted that this work is now being done, and I am sure the new structure will be an enormous improvement on the existing bridge,” he added.
Once completed, the ownership of the new bridge will pass to the Council.
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ACHA Gets "Fair" Rating from Regulator
29 January 2010
The Scottish Housing Regulator has published its inspection report on Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), awarding it a 'Fair' rating overall.
The purpose of inspection is to provide an independent external assessment of the effectiveness of housing service delivery, and make recommendations to help improvement.
ACHA owns just over 5,000 houses and 3 gypsy/traveller sites located across the Argyll and Bute Council area.
Lesley Kerr, Acting Head of Inspection at the Scottish Housing Regulator, said: "Our inspectors found that ACHA has some strengths but also some areas where improvement is needed.
"ACHA is a relatively young organisation that was formed to receive houses transferred from Argyll and Bute Council. It faces a range of challenges and has worked well to improve most of its services over a relatively short period of time.
"The Association has made good progress on most of the commitments it made to its tenants and has strengths including estate management, access to its housing list, financial reporting and it is building good quality new houses. However, a number of its service improvements are at an early stage and it has been slow to progress the delivery of some promised stock investment works. ACHA is improving its business planning, performance management framework and SHQS plans but currently these have several weaknesses and risks.
"The Association also has gaps in its understanding of how satisfied its tenants are with its services as its first survey is not due to be completed until 2010."
Norman Beaton, Chairman of ACHA, said: "As a young organisation we are pleased with the progress we have made to date and look forward to building on the achievements we have already made."
Alastair MacGregor, Chief Executive of ACHA, said : "As an Association we welcome the Scottish Housing Regulator's recognition of the considerable progress the Association has made in delivering our stock transfer commitments to tenants in our first 3 years. We look forward to delivering on the challenges that lie ahead."
The inspection report can be found at www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk
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28 January 2010
During October and November, Argyll Community Housing Association’s (ACHA) Mid Argyll & Kintyre staff carried out a survey of tenants and others who visited the two offices.
The purpose of this was to find out whether customers were happy with their experience of coming in to ACHA offices.
The survey took the form of a written questionnaire and covered areas such as frequency and nature of their visit; the care and attention they received from staff; our office environment including accessibility; awareness of our Membership; our local Area Committee and their overall experience. Completed surveys were entered into a prize draw for two £25 vouchers of their choice.
ACHA’s Regional Manager, Yvonne Litster commented “It is very important for us to know what our customers think about us. We aim to provide a first class service but we do realise that there may be times when people feel that the service we provide could be better. This survey gives us an opportunity to take account of our customer’s views”.
The draw took place at the Mid Argyll & Kintyre Area Committee in December.
Angela Burnett from Inveraray is pictured below with Alex Westerby, Customer Services Assistant, Mid Argyll, with her winning voucher.
Hannah McManus was our winner from Campbeltown.
Our thanks to everyone who gave us their views.
ACHA is about to issue a postal questionnaire to all tenants covering every area of service.
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ACHA Provides Resources to Assist the Council with Pavement Gritting
12 January 2010
Since Thursday 7th January ACHA has been providing resources to assist the Council in pavement gritting in the Oban and Lorn, Helensburgh and Lomond and Bute areas.
Two Association tipper trucks and six workers have been made available by the Association to get salt and grit to communities which, to date, have had no, or little, resources to make pavements safe.
An ACHA spokesman said “We have had the worst winter weather conditions in 30 years and this has put enormous pressure on Council resources. The Association, in those circumstances, offered these resources to the Council and it was felt that the most impact could be made by ACHA getting salt and grit to housing schemes and villages to assist in pavement gritting.”
The spokesman further added “We are half-way through a 4 day programme to get salt and grit to areas that don’t have it. On Monday of next week we will review where we are and if required we will continue to work with the Council in the interests of public safety.”
Photo caption 1; ACHA staff assist with gritting at Hood Court/West King Street, Helensburgh
Photo caption 2; ACHA staff assist with gritting at Lonruadh, Appin
Photo caption 3; ACHA staff assist with gritting at Glebe Terrace, Rothesay
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ACHA Call for Good Neighbours During the Cold Snap
5 January 2010
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) today called for residents to check that their neighbours were all right during the current freezing conditions. The Association has today, through its eight office network, started a phone round to try and ensure that residents who live on their own and may be vulnerable to the severe weather conditions are contacted to check that they are okay. Contact details for offices are as follows;
Helensburgh & Lomond 01436 658700
Cowal 01369 708688
Bute 01700 501314
Mid Argyll 01546 604800
Kintyre 01586 559055
Islay 01496 301312
Oban, Lorn & Isles 01631 567962
Mull 01688 302051
An Association spokesperson commented “The severe weather conditions have been with us since the 19th December. Outside conditions are very difficult and it would appear sub-zero conditions are set to continue. The Association would ask residents to check on their neighbours, particularly if they haven’t seen them, and not to hesitate to contact their local ACHA office if they have any doubts about anyone’s wellbeing.”