Covid-19 update...... p2 New Business Plan...... p2 Rent Consultation 2021/22...... p3 Community Engagement...... p4-5 Become a Shire tenant...... p6 SPRING 2021 NEWSLETTER 83 Become a member of Shire Housing...... p8

We are delighted to welcome two new members to our staff team

Julie Allison Mark Scott Julie joins Shire as Head of Mark comes to Shire Housing to lead the strategic as the new Asset development of our Housing Manager and brings an and Asset Team. experience spanning over 30 years covering A qualified housing the construction, professional, Julie has over maintenance and 30 years of experience in asset management industries. innovating and delivering customer focused housing For the last 20 years Mark’s experience has and maintenance services. been focused within the social housing sector at levels of Officer, Manager and Senior Her focus shall be delivering excellent services Manager allowing an understanding of what it and performance, engaging with customers takes to deliver a viable service at best value to and ensuring that the Shire team continues to its residents, Association & Board. maintain your homes to a high standard. As an East resident, Mark holds a clear Prior to joining Shire, Julie was a Senior Service appetite to share his experience and knowledge Improvement Manager at River Clyde Homes to assist Shire in continual improvement of the and has also worked with some Glasgow based services we provide. Housing Associations and a Local Authority.

Newsletter of Shire Housing Association Limited, Netherthird House, Netherthird, , KA18 3DB T: 01290 421130 E: [email protected] W: www.shirehousing.co.uk facebook.com/shirehousing

SHIRE HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED IS A REGISTERED CHARITY NO SC038664 Find us on Twitter: @shire_HA Covid-19 update The Covid-19 Pandemic presents Recovery Funds to support our work in fighting the an unprecedented challenge to our impact of the pandemic. We are using the money to support and help fund services across communities. Despite having to including a meals-on-wheels service provided by close our office to tenants during the the Zone in Doon Valley, support services delivered lockdowns, our staff continue to work by Hub, and Create a Smile . remotely from home. Our staff team have also worked hard contacting all We are delivering as many services as possible our vulnerable tenants offering support, including during the lockdown. Essential, emergency and advice on claiming Universal Credit where tenants urgent repairs have continued, with our contractors have been made redundant or salaries have having the appropriate safety equipment and reduced. respecting social distancing when entering When the pandemic eases, we will fully reinstate properties. Where possible, external planned our services as quickly possible, including catching maintenance work also continues to our homes. The up on planned maintenance works like electrical Shire team can be contacted in the usual way and rewires. As the vaccine programme is rolled out are happy to help. Remember to check our website across Scotland during the next few months, it is and social media for regular updates. essential all of us continue following public health During the last year we have been awarded guidance, as the best way to beat the virus. £100,000 from the Scottish Government’s Stay safe! Community Support Fund, and Communities New Business Plan During the last few months, we have been working The Plan sets out our objectives over the next five hard to develop a new Business Plan, and a years, focussing on: summary of this is included with your newsletter.

Community Wellbeing Climate Engagement Change To enhance wellbeing To empower our in our communities. To take positive action communities through on climate change. engagement.

Organisational To strengthen our internal capabilities and resilience.

We welcome any feedback on our business objectives.

2 Shire News Spring 2021 Rent Consultation 2021/22 We would like to thank the 124 tenants who took the time to respond to the annual rent increase Consultation. This response rate was up 33% on the previous year. The Board met on 30 January to We really review the responses from tenants. value your The majority of tenants, 68% contribution which helps preferred Option 1, to increase rents The winner by 1% with 29% preferring Option 2 – influence and of the shape our £50 1.2% and 3% either had no opinion or decisions and would like to hear from shopping suggested no increase. you if you would be interested in voucher is The Board reviewed all of your becoming more involved with us. Miss Gemmell of comments and decided to approve Please contact Alan Thomas on . the lower increase of 1%, reflecting the 01290 421130 for an informal chat Well done! feedback received and minimising the for further information on our joining impact on tenants. our Tenant Panel. Financial Inclusion Update Reporting the Annual Universal Credit – What’s New?

Rent Increase to If you have been receiving a Severe Disability Premium as Universal Credit part of your Income Support, Income Related ESA or JSA, you will have been exempt from claiming Universal Credit. Most rents will increase on 29 March 2021. This exemption ended on 27 January 2021. If you have a If you are claiming Universal Credit, you change in your circumstances, you may have to make a must update your claim with the new new claim for Universal Credit. If you think you might be rent charge to ensure that you receive affected by this change, please contact Diane or Leanne the correct amount of benefit. You can’t on 01290 421130 for advice and support with your claim. do this before 29 March 2021. If your UC Assessment Period ends on 29th, 30th or 31st, you must report the change on 29 Scottish Child Payment March 2021. For Assessment Periods ending from the 1st of the month onwards, Social Security Scotland have been accepting applications you can use the “To Do” that DWP will for the new Scottish Child Payment since 9 November add to your UC claim on 1 April 2021. If 2020. If you have a low income and have children under you are unsure of your new rent charge 6, you may be entitled to £10 per week, per child, from or if you need assistance to update your 15 February 2021. The first payments are expected to claim, please contact Diane or Leanne on be issued at the end of February. If you want to find out 01290 421130. more, give us a call on 01290 421130.

Shire News Spring 2021 3 Alan here, I hope everyone these groups to help ensure they We will provide the necessary has been well? With us can meet the demand for help equipment and data for people and assistance in the areas where to get online and access the being in yet another they operate. We have continued numerous services that are lockdown, I have not been to donate hand sanitising stations, primarily accessed digitally these able to engage with our branded for each individual group. days. This will include job searches, communities as I would I am still looking into litter picking benefits advice, social media have liked. However, this events across the different areas. I access, planning a day out, ordering has not prevented us from have previously been on a litter pick repeat doctor’s prescriptions and with primary school kids in New many more. Not everyone has rising to the challenges access to these services, so we are we face, making the best Cumnock, one in with members of the Zone looking at how to provide these. of the situation we find Initiative and we are in the process Come along, have a cuppa, a ourselves in. of organising one to take place wee chat and get online. Current restrictions prevent us from doing I have been working with various in Newmilns. If anyone would be interested in organising a litter pick this for now but hopefully as the food hubs and larders that are in year progresses we shall be able operation across our communities. in your area, please contact me: [email protected] to put this in place. WATCH THIS There is a lot of great work being SPACE! done in every town and village. We We are hoping to set up drop-in have been making donations to internet cafes across the region.

4 Shire News Spring 2021 Engagement

Lastly, an exciting project we are So, what do we mean by a “Men’s unemployed and employed, skilled working on at this moment is a Shed”? Briefly, a Scottish Men’s and unskilled. In partnership with Cumnock based “Men’s Shed.” Shed is a permanent meeting place various groups, and individuals, for men, and women, where lots we find ourselves in a strong of good community and healthy position already. Hopefully at some ‘self and group determined’ point this year we shall be able to experiences take place. In announce that our very own “Shed” between the socialising is up and running. The garden competition shall in an alcohol free and be running again soon! We have As ever, I am keen to hear from any welcoming environment, of our tenants with any ideas and yet to set the dates for this the Scottish Men’s Shed suggestions that they would like to competition, but the categories is for everyone who has put forward regarding how we can will be:- ‘time on their hands’ become more actively engaged who might want to ● with your community. You can call Best Garden lead active lives, make ● Best window box/tub or me on 01292 428015, or email at a difference and build [email protected]. hanging basket their communities ● Best communal garden into something better. Take care, Alan. There is no age limit, ● Best vegetable patch

Shire News Spring 2021 5 Planned Works Rewire Works The Association is progressing with Planned The Association has had to pause all works in Improvements in accordance with Scottish occupied properties during Lockdown and this Government guidelines. This means that the affects the Rewire programme. It is important re-roofing project at and the that we complete these works, and we will External Wall Insulation project at Netherthird continue to plan with our contractors to prepare can continue. Unfortunately, the Kitchen to resume works when we are permitted to do replacement and Window replacement projects so. Many properties have been rewired and we cannot proceed until the Government advises the are thankful to all customers who have provided Association is permitted to do so. We will be in access in the past few years. We welcome your touch with those customers on the programme cooperation on this matter, and we will be in as soon as we can. touch with customers who have a property on the Rewire list to arrange access as and when it is safe to do so.

“Great Homes, Great People, Vibrant Communities” Become a Winner of Shire Tenant Customer Shire’s Business Vision – Great Homes, Great People, Vibrant Communities – is Satisfaction our commitment to all our tenants and resident within our estates. Do you know Survey anyone who would be interested in living within East Ayrshire and benefiting from The winner of our quarterly the services Shire have to offer? Satisfaction Survey was We currently have properties available for immediate Mrs Hughes from Hurlford. relet in , Dalmellington and Westgate House in Mrs Hughes received a £25 Newmilns ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms with rent starting shopping voucher. Next time from £312.84 to £390.04 per calendar month. it could be you! Just return For further information please have a look at our Facebook page or website www.shirehousing.co.uk , or alternatively the survey the next time you contact Dawn Blackhurst on 01290 421130 who will be use our Repairs Service. more than happy to assist.

6 Shire News Spring 2021 ZERO TOLERANCE APPROACH TO ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR During February, we had a serious Shire takes a zero-tolerance approach to this type antisocial behaviour incident in of behaviour and the tenants who were charged have been served with notices against their ongoing Dalmellington when tenancies. These notices are the first legal steps forced entry to three of our properties to Shire seeking Court action that could lead to the and charged the tenants with drug eviction of these tenants from their homes. related offences. This action was If you are affected by any antisocial behaviour you can welcomed as the supply of drugs is a report it to us confidentially. Our aim is to ensure that blight on communities and can lead to our neighbourhoods are safe places to live and our many harmful effects on residents in the tenants should never feel helpless when faced with surrounding areas. antisocial behaviour.

Should you have large bulky items of rubbish, you can arrange a special uplift with East Ayrshire Council by contacting them on 01563 554033 or Fly Tipping 01563 554032. Alternatively, you can contact the office where our customer service team can offer During recent Estate visits our officers you advice and assistance. have noticed some of our areas You can also book a slot at EAC recycling centre by need attention due to fly tipping. To applying for a resident’s permit by visiting https:// remove unsightly rubbish from some www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk of our open spaces can cost more If you have items of furniture to be disposed of than £120 irrespective of what it is that are still in good condition you may wish to and is paid from Tenants rent and use the services of one of the furniture donation schemes. The following telephone numbers may Open Space charges to owners. Tidy assist you to do this. open spaces and gardens add to the appearance of your neighbourhood • Cunninghame Furniture recycling 01294 and enhance the local area. We would 475560 also like to remind our tenants that, • Cumnock and Doon Valley Gift Furniture as part of your tenancy agreement, Scheme 01290 550525 you are responsible for ensuring that • British Heart Foundation 0844 499 your garden area is kept in a neat and 4155, furniture and electrical items tidy condition and free from rubbish.

East Ayrshire Care & Repair is continuing to work as normal with the required PPE. We have now gone Care & live with our new telephone number. 01290 428001 Please use this direct number for any requests or queries you may have. Repair We will be happy to help.

Shire News Spring 2021 7 Become a Member of Shire Housing Shire Housing Association is a • Service users of the Association membership organisation that is • Other persons who support the objects of the committed to the involvement of Association tenants and residents in the running • Organisations sympathetic to the objects of the of its affairs, and to being accountable Association to tenants and the wider community. If you are over 16 you are eligible to become a member. We seek to ensure our membership is A lifelong membership costs £1. Your membership reflective of the communities we serve. entitles you to: • Attend the Annual General Meeting The following groups are eligible to become members of the Association: • Be eligible to stand for election to the Management Board • Tenants of the Association • Have a stake in the future of your community Why should you join?

Becoming a member of Shire Housing You can apply to become Association entitles you to be involved in Shire’s a member by completing activities and have a say in how we run our a membership application business. form and returning it to Throughout the year, you will receive copies of our the office with your £1. If Annual Report, Financial Statements and tenant you would like a membership application form, newsletters. You will also be invited to the Annual either telephone the office on 01290 421130 or General Meeting where you have a right to vote email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, to elect the Management Board or, if you so wish, the form can be found in the Downloads section you can stand for election to the Management of our website. Board.

8 Shire News Spring 2021