StraightTalking

ANGUS HOUSING ASSOCIATION TENANTS NEWSLETTER ISSUE 75 JULY 2019

DIRECTOR RETIRES NEW DIRECTOR

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PRESENTATION TO FORMER NEW HOUSING AT EAST MUIRLANDS THIS ISSUE : ARBROATH COMMITTEE MEMBERS PITAIRLIE ROAD, DUNDEE DIRECTOR RETIRES AFTER 24 YEARS On 7th August, 1995, Bruce Forbes started working as the first ever Director of Angus Housing Association. He was also the Association’s first ever employee. On that day, we owned just over the Association successfully 300 houses , many of which concluded mergers with 2 needed significant investment, Housing Co-operatives in and we had very little funds Mid Craigie and Ormiston available to carry out the Crescent, Whitfield after necessary works to tenants’ comprehensive endorsements homes. Development funding by tenants. had been suspended for the and most significant moments Over 1,000 new homes have building of new homes and a bid of our lives are spent in the been built in Dundee and for a major transfer of Scottish security of our family home and Angus, including many in Homes stock was only months the home is one of the most villages such as Dykehead, away. It is fair to say that if things important building blocks in Airlie and Westmuir where weren’t turned around quickly, all our lives. It is why everyone no affordable rented housing the future of Angus Housing should have a right to a decent , had existed before. It is quite a Association as an independent, secure, warm, affordable home legacy , but as anyone who has locally controlled, landlord was but there is still a long way to go met Bruce won’t be surprised in serious jeopardy. to achieving this. It is, however, to learn , there are still some imperative if we are serious 24 years on, Bruce will retire on regrets in his reflections on his about aspiring to a fairer and 6th September just as we near career with AHA. more equitable society. completion of the 2000th house Speaking just before attending in our property portfolio. The My regrets are that during his last AHA Committee of Association is financially secure my working life , some of the Management meeting, Bruce enough to be able to restrict rent progress achieved in earlier said, increases to CPI inflation only, the years has been compromised housing stock is close to being “ Obviously, I am very proud by a failure of housing 100% compliant with the Scottish of what has been achieved at professionals to convince Government Energy Efficiency Angus Housing Association politicians of all hues that standard and plans are in the in my time here. Any increase the subsidy level for building pipeline to fund and build around in the much needed supply new homes needs to much 120 new homes each year. of affordable rented homes is more than at present. In the important, especially to those last few years , we have been In the 24 years under Bruce’s families which benefit from forced backwards in terms of leadership, successful estate getting one. environmental specification regenerations have been and space standards in a race carried out in Strathairlie and To be able to say that I have to build more for less subsidy. Cliffburn in Arbroath and in made a small contribution to We really need to be future Mid Craigie and Whitfield in helping a lot of families get proofing the capital investment Dundee. Nearly 500 houses a decent home to live in is in new homes that we are were transferred from something to be extremely making now. Instead, we seem Scottish Homes in 1997 and proud about. Many of the best

P02 ANGUS HOUSING ASSOCIATION to be moving back to building ANGUS HOUSING spaces to be occupied rather than the real homes and communities ASSOCIATION APPOINTS we need, while at the same time, allowing volume housebuilders to GAIL ROBERTSON AS make massive profits with the help of public subsidy. DIRECTOR The other impact that this has had is on the affordability of rents. Angus Housing Rightly , tenants are questioning how much they are having to Association has pay for an “affordable” rent. announced the Unfortunately , most don’t see appointment of beyond blaming their landlord instead of questioning the whole, Gail Robertson as totally inadequate range of its new Director. housing policies that have left the housing system throughout the UK Gail has led the Housing creaking at the seams. It may be and Property Services Team at Castlehill Housing better in Scotland than in England pay tribute to our outgoing Association in Aberdeen Director, Bruce Forbes, but the continuing obsession with for the last nine years, and who has been with us all the owner occupied sector as will take over from Bruce the way, and now passes being the tenure of preference Forbes upon his retirement on an organisation in needs to reversed. in early September. excellent shape. Finally, I These are, however ,problems that Making the announcement, would like to thank EVH my successor at AHA will have to Association Chairperson who supported us brilliantly grapple with as I sail off into the Hazel Farquhar said “ We throughout the entire sunset of my retirement. On that are delighted that Gail recruitment and selection note, I would like to wish our new Robertson will soon be our process.” new Director. Gail stood out Director, Gail Robertson , all the Gail said “ I am delighted from within a very strong best in her new role. I am sure that to have been appointed field of applicants. We are she will do an excellent job. Director at Angus Housing convinced that she will Association and am looking Most importantly, however, I further develop our high forward to working with performing organisation, want to say a huge thanks to Staff and Committee of helping us to meet the all of the staff and voluntary Management to continue ambitions we have for Committee Members at Angus providing Angus Housing the communities we work Housing Association with whom Association’s high-quality within, and the people who I have worked and relied on in services. It is a privilege to live there. the last 24 years. It has been a be able to work for a well- privilege and an honour to work “The Committee of respected organisation with you for an organisation Management are very that recognises the where a culture of teamwork, much looking forward to fundamental right to a good mutual respect and hopefully , welcoming Gail on board, quality, affordable home friendship, have been the key to and I am sure we will enjoy and has such a strong us delivering for our tenants.” a productive and successful focus on delivering this for working partnership for individuals, families and many years to come” communities. Hazel added “ I also want to

P03 TENANTS NEWSLETTER: ISSUE 75 | JULY 2019 EDITION PRESENTATION TO FORMER COMMITTEE MEMBERS In April, we held a special presentation lunch for two former Committee Members who recently stood down from their role. Bob Colquhoun had been a of our 49 year history. Liz was Association Chairman, Hazel Committee Member for the last Chairman of the Association twice Farquhar, said, “These small gifts can 5 years and had brought a huge during that time, most importantly only ever be tokens of our thanks for amount of financial expertise from his in the 5 years in mid 90s when the all of the commitment that Bob, and past career to the Committee. momentous changes to employing especially Liz, have given to helping our own staff and completing the Angus Housing Association deliver Liz Whitson stepped down from Scottish Homes stock transfer the nearly 2,000 homes for families the role of voluntary Committee were made. that we now have throughout Member after serving the Dundee and Angus..” Association for more than 40 years Speaking at the presentation,

IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME 2019-21 We’d like to bring you up to date on our proposed Improvement programme over the next two years. We have made some changes of late predominantly to ensure that we achieve the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing by the end of 2021. Year 1 Year 2 SCHEME NO. OF WORK CONTENT - 19-20 WORK CONTENT 20-21 UNITS BRECHIN ROAD, ARBROATH 13 KITCHENS, HEATING, BATHROOMS,FANS 50 HIGH STREET, ARBROATH HEATING, KITCHENS LORDBURN, ARBROATH 5 KITCHENS, HEATING, BATHROOMS, FANS MARKETGATE, ARBROATH 7 43 MARKETGATE –COMPREHENSIVE MODERNISATION MILLGATE LOAN, ARBROATH 2 KITCHENS, HEATING, BATHROOMS, FANS HAMILTON GREEN, ARBROATH 6 KITCHENS, HEATING, BATHROOMS, FANS PALMER STREET, ARBROATH 3 HEATING, KITCHENS, BATHROOMS STEADING PLACE, ARBROATH 15 HEATING, KITCHENS, BATHROOMS MOUNT ZION BRAE, ARBROATH 15 KITCHENS, HEATING, FANS ELLIOT STREET, ARBROATH 9 KITCHENS, HEATING, BATHROOMS, FANS

P04 ANGUS HOUSING ASSOCIATION RUSSELL SQUARE, ARBROATH 12 HEATING, KITCHENS TIMBERGREENS, ARBROATH 11 KITCHENS, HEATING, BATHROOMS, ELECT UPGRADE LEONARD ST, ARBROATH 30 BOILERS (partial) KIRKBANK, AUCHMITHIE 36 DISTRICT HEATING, KITCHENS AUCHMITHIE VILLAGE 3 KITCHENS ARGYLL STREET, BRECHIN 13 HEATING, KITCHENS, FANS MIDDLETON PARK, BRECHIN 15 HEATING, KITCHENS, FANS, BATHROOMS PITFORTHIE, BRECHIN 33 RE-ROOFING, RWP & RHONES, (PART), FENCES MOUNTSKIP, BRECHIN 5 REPLACEMENT BOILERS/STORAGE HTG MTR - BRECHIN (4 EAST MILL ROAD) 2 BATHROOMS, BOILER, KITCHENS, WINDOWS MTR - CARNOUSTIE 3 HEATING, KITCHENS (11 LINGARD ST/1 KIRKTON PL) ST STEPHENS COURT, CARNOUSTIE 17 SMOKE DET, CO DET, ELECT UPG THISTLE STREET, CARNOUSTIE 21 SMOKE DET, CO DET, ELECT UPG MID CRAIGIE PHASE 3, DUNDEE 44 KITCHENS, HEATING, FANS, BATHROOMS, 12 HOUSES ONLY ORMISTON CARDONESS WALK, 12 NEW GAS CENTRAL HEATING DUNDEE ORMISTON CRAIGIEVAR WALK, DUNDEE 12 NEW GAS CENTRAL HEATING ORMISTON DUNROBIN WALK, DUNDEE 12 NEW GAS CENTRAL HEATING ORMISTON LUFFNESS WALK, DUNDEE 12 NEW GAS CENTRAL HEATING ORMISTON PITCAPLE WALK, DUNDEE 12 NEW GAS CENTRAL HEATING ORMISTON CASSIDY WALK, DUNDEE 18 NEW GAS CENTRAL HEATING ORMISTON BRODICK WALK, DUNDEE 18 NEW GAS CENTRAL HEATING FERRYDEN 9 WINDOWS AND EXTERNAL DOORS KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, HEATING CHAPEL ST, FORFAR 6 KITCHENS, HEATING, FANS SIR JAMES DUNCAN GARDENS, FORFAR 14 SMOKE DET, CO DET, ELECT UPGRADING RITCHIES WYND, FORFAR 2 SMOKE DET, CO DET, ELECT UPGRADING MARKET ST, FORFAR 8 SMOKE DET, CO DET, ELECT UPGRADING LOCHSIDE RD, FORFAR 6 SMOKE DET, CO DET, ELECT UPGRADING KINGSMUIR, FORFAR 1 BOILER WESTGATE, FROICKHEIM 9 WINDOWS BOILER, HEATING, KITCHENS INVERKEILLOR 5 KITCHENS, BATHROOMS HEATING AIRLIE 4 KITCHENS JUBILEE PARK, LETHAM 16 BATHROOMS, HEATING CENTRAL MONTROSE - CASTLE ST 8 KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, HEATING CENTRAL MONTROSE - VICTORIA ST 10 KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, HEATING CENTRAL MONTROSE - WHARF ST 13 KITCHENS, HEATING NURSERY ROAD, MONTROSE 1 HEATING, KITCHENS HILLSIDE 9 FANS, ELECT UPGRADE VARIOUS ESTATES REPLACEMENT CDE SYSTEMS (16 NO. )

P05 TENANTS NEWSLETTER: ISSUE 75 | JULY 2019 EDITION HOW ARE WE DOING? As an organisation we are working hard to improve our services to you. We are always striving to improve our performance, so we set ourselves targets for what we want to achieve throughout the year, so are we doing well? Below is our Figures for the last Quarter 1st January 2019 to 31st March 2019.

Performance Update

Actual Target HOUSING MANAGEMENT Qtr 4 Rent Arrears as a percentage of the gross rental 2% 1.59% income as at end of December.

Percentage of Applications processed within 6 days. - 96.25%

Average length of time taken to re-let properties in the 15 days 23.7 last quarter.

Percentage of rent due lost through properties being 1% 0.55% empty during the last quarter.

Percentage of Anti-Social Behaviour Cases Completed - 82% with the Agreed Target.

ASSET MANAGEMENT - REPAIRS Full year Across all Category Timescales Target 2018-19 non- emergency Emergency 3hrs 97% 90% categories, Urgent 24hrs 95% 92% repairs are being completed within Essential 3 Working days 95% 93% timescales on General 10 Working days 95% 95% 92.10% of work Routine 20 Working days 93% 97% orders.

P06 ANGUS HOUSING ASSOCIATION Angus National performance AVERAGE TIMESCALES FOR REPAIRS average 2018-19

Average number of days to complete non 4.0 Days 3.76 Days emergency repairs Average number of hours to complete 4.7 hours 1.91 hours emergency repairs

Percentage of repairs carried out right first time 92% 92%

Percentage of gas servicing carried out within 100% the 12 month timescales

Complaints :- Between 1st January 2019 and 31st March 2019 the Association received 11 x Stage 1 complaints, these related to 1 Administration complaints, 1 Rent/Arrears/Recharges Complaint and 9 Repair complaints. 3 x Stage 2 complaints these related to Repair complaints. The Association is committed to improving it’s services and records any expressions of dissatisfaction and we use these to either improve or change our processes or procedures in the future.

Complaints Upheld/ Not % Within Procedures Complaints Dealt with Target Upheld/ Timescale Reviewed within Partially Upheld

Stage 1 5 working 1 Procedure 95% 65% 4 Partially Upheld Complaints days Reviewed

Complaints Upheld/ Not % Within Procedures Complaints Dealt with Target Upheld/ Timescale Reviewed within Partially Upheld

Stage 2 20 working 3 Not Upheld 1 Procedure 100% 100% Complaints days 1 Partially Upheld Reviewed

There were no Stage 1 or Stage 2 Equality Complaints for this Quarter. The Association is committed to improving and will continue to work on improving the above figures throughout the year.

P07 TENANTS NEWSLETTER: ISSUE 75 | JULY 2019 EDITION NEW HOUSING AT PITAIRLIE ROAD, DUNDEE Many of our tenants in our Mid Craigie estate in Dundee will have watched our new housing at Pitairlie Road gradually taking shape. Hart Builders have just completed the project which will provide 30 new affordable houses for rent in the area. There is an extensive mix of two, three and four bedroom houses and flats with one large six bedroom house. Our development partner, Cruden Hart have also developed 12 three bedroom houses for sale which gives the development a good balance.

P08 ANGUS HOUSING ASSOCIATION EAST MUIRLANDS, ARBROATH

At the end of March, Persimmon Homes should be understood that Persimmon Homes completed our joint development with Cairn have not finished developing their own private Housing Association of 71 new homes at East housing and consequently, the permanent Muirlands Road, Arbroath with 36 houses for access into Railton Crescent may not be ready Cairn and 35 for Angus. The new development for a few years. Unfortunately, we do not have of Railton Crescent, boasts a mix of very a timetable for the completion of the private spacious one and two bedroom cottage style houses. flats, plus two and three bedroom terraced houses. We have entered into a management agreement with Cairn which means that we are responsible for managing the Cairn houses as well as our own. MSP Graeme Dey kindly performed the official opening of the estate, seen here with our own Chair, Hazel Farquhar unveiling the plaque. The development is part of Persimmon Homes’ master plan of 287 new homes in the estate. It

P09 TENANTS NEWSLETTER: ISSUE 75 | JULY 2019 EDITION GAS LEAK GARDEN IN THE EVENT YOU SMELL GAS IN YOUR HOME YOU SHOULD - COMPETITION • put out all cigarettes and other naked lights. It`s that time of the throughout our Dundee year again and the and Angus stock. • switch off all gas appliances. good news is after last turn the gas off at the mains The closing date for • year`s cancellation the (the main shut off valve is the garden competition usually beside your gas Gardening Competition will be the 23rd August meter). has returned. 2019 and details of the • make sure you do not turn on any lights or other electrical This year`s Judging panel presentation of awards switches. will consist of Billy Lambie will be confirmed at a • open all windows and doors. our Landscape Contract later date. Consultant and Angus • phone the National Gas If you wish to nominate emergency number: Council our Landscape your own or your 0800 111 999 Maintenance Contractor. neighbours garden please Leave the house when using • The competition will be contact us by e-mail/ a mobile phone to contact the emergency number. judged on a number of letter/ a simple phone factors that make up call or even speak to the best overall gardens your local Housing/ and there will be prizes Maintenance Officers. for the best six gardens

ABBOT STREET – FUNDRAISING EVENT The tenants and Staff at Abbot Street Retirement Housing Lounge have been fundraising for Alzheimer’s Scotland . The tenants donated all of their tea money for two weeks as well as having a car boot sale. They also had a running tombola in the lounge and they enjoyed filling little jars up with loose change. The fundraising was rounded off with a very successful coffee afternoon in the lounge with a huge raffle . A total of £869.65 was raised . What a great effort!

P10 ANGUS HOUSING ASSOCIATION SCHOOL AGE PAYMENT - GRANT

You can apply for the School Age Payment in the year your child should be starting school. Exact dates when you must apply depend on when your child was born:

Your child’s date of birth When you need to apply Between 1 March 2014 and 28 February 2015 Between 3 June 2019 and 29 February 2020 Between 1 March 2015 and 29 February 2016 Between 1 June 2020 and 28 February 2021 You cannot apply out with these dates. If your child was born later than February 2016, you’ll be able to apply after May 2021. You cannot apply for the School Age Payment for a child born before 1 March 2014. If you get the School Age Payment, you’ll get £250 for each child you can get the payment for.

What affects whether you can apply If you’re over 18, you can apply whether you’re in work or not, but you must be getting one of these: Child Tax Credit Universal Credit Income Support Pension Credit Working Tax Credit Housing Benefit Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), not ‘contribution based’ JSA Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), not ‘contribution based’ ESA For more Information or To Apply call us on 0800 182 2222 or visit www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant

P11 TENANTS NEWSLETTER: ISSUE 75 | JULY 2019 EDITION We are always on the lookout for The deadlines for having an Newsletter contributions to our Newsletters. article included are as follows:- Articles & If you have any interesting articles, SPRING EDITION or want to tell us something that is on or after 1st March 2019 Issue Dates:- happening in your local area, please SUMMER EDITION let us know and we will include it in on or after 1st June 2019 We are committed to a future newsletter. AUTUMN EDITION once again producing 4 If you would like an article in our on or after Newsletters each year to upcoming Editions you can either 1st September 2019 keep tenants informed of email your article to admin@aha. WINTER EDITION what is happening at the org.uk, post it, or pop it into one of on or after Association. the Associations Offices. 1st December 2019

EMERGENCY REPAIRS TELEPHONE NUMBER: TENANTS FORUM If you would like be more actively involved 01382 434343 with Angus Housing Association, why not join Please be aware you will be recharged our Tenants Forum. The Forum meets on the if the repair is NOT AN EMERGENCY, or if last Thursday of every month at our Sheltered Housing Complex at Russell Square, Arbroath the fault is with one of your appliances. at 6.30pm. If the call is cancelled but the contractor If you join the Forum, you will be asked to is en-route, you will STILL BE recharged. consult on policies and invited to give feedback on various aspects of our services. You may be invited to various events including one-off focus HOW TO CONTACT US? groups. Participation is voluntary and confidential. If you feel you are interested in getting involved please contact Linlay Anderson, Housing Manager on 0345 1772244.

UPDATE YOUR

93 High Street , Arbroath, DD11 1DP CONTACT DETAILS Fax: 01241 430355 Please remember to let us know when The Square, Ormiston Crescent you change your phone numbers. Dundee, DD4 0UD It is often quicker and easier to give tenants a call Fax: 01382 504613 than to write a letter. To help us with this, please Telephone: 0345 177 2244 let us know if you change your number so we can update our system. It would also be useful if you E-mail: [email protected] could provide the Association with an up to date www.angusha.org.uk email address.

P12 ANGUS HOUSING ASSOCIATION