TENANTS’
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2012
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING This year’s AGM was very well attended. Our Chair Paul Torrance was able to report on another very successful year both financially and in terms of the level of tenant satisfaction with our services. He said “we’re conscious of the pressures our tenants face in terms of falling incomes and benefit changes. There is the real risk that these will have a knock on effect on our rental income and with it on the quality of service that we can offer. There remain real challenges as the UK Government’s so-called welfare reform is rolled out. I’m pleased to say though, thanks to our staff, that our performance in terms of rent collection and getting houses re-let as soon as possible remains excellent”.
We were delighted with the turn out from our competition entrants who received their certificates on the night.
We were also delighted to recognise the contribution of Ayrshire Housing’s longest serving Board Member, tenant Pearl Boyd. When her time with Carrick Housing Association is added, this translates into almost 20 years of voluntary service. It was unanimously agreed to make her Ayrshire Housing’s first Honorary President as a measure of recognition.
119 Main Street, Ayr, KA8 8BX Telephone: (01292) 880120, Lo-Call 0845 2712 327 or text 07572360360
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Stock Condition Survey Programme Â
Ayrshire Housing maintenance staff have commenced a programme of stock condition surveys to obtain up to date information on the condition of properties. The aim of the programme is to conduct surveys of around 20% of the total stock each year in order to obtain a full stock condition survey every five years. The purpose of the surveys is to identify the condition and performance of various building elements and components, which will assist in forward financial planning and help determine the priorities for future replacement/improvement works.
John Hendry
The surveys are undertaken by our Maintenance Officers, John Hendry and Murray Paton supported by Scott Hutchison, Technical Services Manager. All staff will carry photo identification and you should ask to see this before allowing access to your home. If your property is selected, you will be notified in advance of the proposed date. The survey will only take around 20 minutes. The inspector will assess the general condition of the major components such as the kitchen, heating boiler, bathroom, windows etc. Nothing will be disturbed. The outside of your house will also be surveyed to determine its condition. These surveys are important as they will inform the future planned improvement programmes and investment works. Your co-operation in allowing access for this essential work is appreciated.
Murray Paton
Scott Hutchison
External Refurbishment of BISF Properties As previously reported, the external refurbishment of the BISF properties located in Forehill commenced in May and is nearing completion. The improvement works were necessary to bring the houses up to the requirements imposed by the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS). The works have significantly improved the thermal insulation of the structure and will reduce heat loss, therefore affected tenants should realise a corresponding reduction in heating costs starting this Winter. A number of tenants have already remarked on how much warmer their houses are. The enhanced external appearance of the houses has also been subject to favourable comments.
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Free Energy Switching Advice Did you know that around 1/3rd of households are facing fuel poverty, that's 8.3 million people. In addition, 1.9 million are likely to fall into fuel poverty due to the predicted increases in fuel costs. The average duel fuel cost to a UK home is now £1,345.00 per year and rising. Ayrshire Housing has undertaken preliminary discussions with Solas Insulation to explore the provision of energy advice and advocacy services to our tenants. One of the services provided by Solas is Good Egg Energy. Good Egg Energy is a charity which has been set up with the sole purpose of helping domestic energy users get the best deal possible for their energy. This service is available to all tenants and provides you with all the detail you need to make an informed decision regarding comparison of Go to:
www.goodegg-energy.co.uk
gas and electricity tariffs. Good Egg Energy offer 100% free and impartial advice on how to unscramble the real facts about domestic energy, help you to understand your usage and how you could make the switch that could save you £££'s off your energy bill.
Click on ‘What Can We Do’ at the top of the webpage Follow the steps by answering the questions to find the best deal for your property.
Adaptations Works Programme 2012/13 Works are now underway to complete the medical adaptations programme for the current year. We have received a reduced grant funding budget for these works but are hopeful of completing all the existing adaptation waiting list referrals. JD Thomson Property Care Ltd of Maybole have been appointed to undertake the installation of level access showers and other internal works. The provision of external handrails will continue to be undertaken by John Gilmour (Blacksmiths) of Prestwick.
Cyclical Painting Works Programme The annual painting works programme is also nearing completion. External painting works have now been finished at Earl Crescent / Earl Rise and Castleview, Dundonald; St Leonards Road and South Harbour Street, Ayr; Arran Avenue, Ballantrae and several individual houses in Symington. Painters are on site at St Cuthbert’s Street, Maybole and are about to commence painting to Woodside Avenue / Kirkbride Crescent, Kirkmichael.
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Replacement Floor Coverings
Following inspection of the floor coverings to the common stairwells at Blackfriars Court, Ayr, it was identified that action was necessary to replace the defective flooring. We have appointed Alexander’s of Irvine to undertake this work. We have opted to specify ‘marmoleum’ which is an environmentally friendly and sustainable product manufactured from natural raw materials in Kirkcaldy. Work is underway. Affected tenants will be advised of the dates for the installation works to their stairway.
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Barr Community Store and Post Office Barr Community Store and Post Office opened on 1st July 2012 following the closure of the local shop. Residents of the village received major help from Ailsa Horizons and funding from Hadyard Community Benefit Fund which allows the store to pay for two managers, Mike Ross and Judy Brzezinka.
There are twenty volunteers who work in two hour shifts covering the store opening hours of 9.00am–1.00pm each day and 6.00pm–7.00pm Monday to Saturday.
The store offers a delivery service and residents can also order fresh fruit and vegetables three times a week. When possible they use local suppliers who provide fresh meat, eggs, milk, fruit and vegetables, gift cards and fire logs. The National Lottery is also being installed. There are four Ayrshire Housing tenants currently working there and they are very enthusiastic about opening a tea room and antique section in the Spring.
Pet Corner .......... Our Housing Officers receive occasional complaints of cats causing a nuisance by fouling in, and digging up neighbours’ gardens. This problem isn’t easily resolved as it is a commonly held view that cats have the ‘right to roam’, with owners not being subject to the same legal duty to keep cats under control as with dogs and other animals. However, here are some handy tips to help deter cats from your garden: Outward slanted fencing or flimsy plastic roll up fencing to stop
the cat clambering over into your garden. Placing light reflective items in your garden which the cat won’t
like (eg plastic bottles filled with water, hanging up old CD’s on string, light reflective garden ornaments etc). Placing fake rubber snakes at the base of your plants as cats
are wary of these creatures! Using natural scent repellents. The plant Coleus Canina has a
scent which repels cats, dogs and foxes. The herb rue also has an odour which cats hate. Placing orange or lemon peel in your garden may also work as cats do not like citrus smells.
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Household Survey If you haven’t yet returned the survey form we would be extremely grateful if you could now do so. One of the main reasons for asking for this information is that it will allow us to make sure that we can target our services and help to those tenants who may be particularly affected by some of the welfare reforms. If you have any difficulties in completing the form or wish to discuss any issues you may have please do not hesitate to contact your Housing Officer at the earliest opportunity.
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Bedroom Tax — Are You Affected? our last newsletter we reported on the changes that the Government is introducing with regards to the amount of housing benefit that tenants may claim from April 2013. Unless you are receiving pension credits your housing benefit will be reduced if you have one or more spare bedrooms.
What Are Your Options?
In
Pay the shortfall Take in a lodger Move to a smaller house Consider a mutual exchange
your benefit is reduced you must make up the If shortfall. We gave some examples of this in the last newsletter.
None of these options are easy and all will involve some difficult decisions. However, we Our Housing Officers have been trying to identify all have to be very clear and tenants who may be affected and are in the process of advise that non-payment is not contacting them to discuss what options may be an option. Our staff will try and available. You may already have had a phone call or a help you prepare for these visit about this matter. If you are in any doubt as to changes over the coming whether you may be faced with this change please months. contact your Housing Officer at the earliest opportunity.
Did You Know? Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) ESA is a benefit for people who have a limited capacity for work because of a health condition or disability. ESA was introduced in October 2008 and replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds for new customers. ESA has both a contribution-based and income-based element. If you have paid enough National Insurance contributions you can receive contribution-based ESA. If you do not qualify for contribution-based ESA you may be eligible for income-based ESA, depending on your income and capital. ESA can be paid to those over the age of 16 years and under state pension age. You may qualify for ESA if: you are off work or out of work; self-employed; you work for an employer but can’t get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP); you were claiming SSP but it has now stopped. To qualify for this benefit you will have to demonstrate that you are unable to work by submitting medical certificates. During the 13 week assessment phase applicants will also have 2 tests which together are called the work capability assessment. If found to be eligible for ESA after the assessment phase then you will be placed in either the work-related activity group (if you are assessed as being capable for work in the future), or the support group (where a condition severely limits what you can do and you are not expected to work in the future). If you do not agree with a decision about your ESA then you have the right to appeal within 1 month of the date of the decision.
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Tenant Participation Strategy At its June meeting the Board approved a revised Tenant Participation Strategy. The strategy aims to outline how important it is to us that tenants are involved with the association in as many effective ways as possible. The strategy also lists a number of actions which we aim to achieve and our performance in achieving these actions will be monitored by the Board. There are many ways of being involved and the strategy tries to provide examples of the opportunities that are there to help make it easy to contribute in some way. Unfortunately, our plea in the last newsletter to encourage tenants to get involved met with a very disappointing response despite the incentive of possibly winning gift vouchers in our prize draw. It’s never too late though and if you think you would like to help us by participating in some way, no matter how small, please contact Sharon Ritchie at our office. If you would like a copy of the Tenant Participation Strategy please also contact Sharon.
Complaints Policy We have recently reviewed our complaints procedures in line with the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman’s (SPSO) guidance and recommendations. We do value your complaints and try to use them to help us provide good quality service. There are now only two internal stages to our procedure and this should help us resolve most complaints quickly. Stage 1: These are intended to be used for the majority of complaints which can be resolved at “the front-line”. We aim to have all Stage 1 complaints resolved within 5 working days. Stage 2: These are either where complaints were not resolved at Stage 1 or where they are quite complex and require detailed investigation. We aim to provide a full response to Stage 2 complaints within 20 working days. If you remain dissatisfied with our response or decision you can then raise your complaint with the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman (SPSO). For further information and a copy of our policy please contact our office. BOARD NEWS It is with regret that Board Members Karen MacIsaac, John Mitchell and Bob Smith all stood down at the AGM. They have all made a real contribution to the work of the Board. We are joined by new members Rosina McRoberts and William Donald as tenant members. Mairi Low and Roddy MacDonald both join us as Community members. Mairi was, until May this year, a Councillor member so it is good to see her back as a Community member. Councillors Ian Cavana and John Hampton join us as new Councillor Members.
Board and Staff News
STAFF NEWS a few changes ahead in Corporate Services as Paula Hunter and Zoe McGrady head off on maternity leave at the end of the year. We wish them all the best for their forthcoming arrivals.
Sharon Ritchie recently attended a Healthy Working Lives Seminar and won a £50 voucher for the best presentation. Sharon gave an overview of the work carried out to achieve our Silver Award. Sharon is photographed with John Burns, Chief Executive, NHS Ayrshire & Arran. We are now working towards a Gold Award.
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2012 COMPETITION WINNERS
Pet Competition Congratulations to the Pet Competition winners. Lancelot a rat who lives with Melody Connelly, Ayr; Dogs Dougal & Flash who live with Georgina Dawson, Maybole; Cats, Frosty & Poppy from Girvan who live with their owner Pauline McKendry; and Mr & Mrs Shepherd’s two Greek Turtles, Sid & Tootsie from Maybole.
Garden Competition
Commendations are awarded to Rocky and Fluffy, the Guinea Pigs and the Moorish Idol Fish, all living in Ayr with owners John McLaughlin & Michelle Shorthouse; Cookie the Ragdoll Cat living with Karen Kerr, Ayr; Cujo the Cat from Crosshill who lives with owner Amanda Harkness. Mia the Dog and Marley the Cat living with owner Darren Noble of Maybole and Pipa the Dog living with owner Stacey Stewart, Ballantrae.
The winners of the Garden Competition 2012 are: Kevin Duncan & Maureen Frew from Ayr, and for the Best Shared Garden Mr Pender & Mr & Mrs Toner also from Ayr.
Commendations were awarded to; Mrs Mally, Mrs Darroch, Mrs Carmichael & Mrs Davis, Fiona MacIntyre, Martha Scott, Ellen Dixon, Elizabeth Currie and John McLaughlin all from Ayr; Rebecca Ramsey, Ballantrae; Mrs Bowman, Dalrymple; Mr & Mrs Duffy, Maybole; Mr & Mrs Bennie, Straiton.
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FANGTASTIC HALLOWEEN
It’s that time of year for ghosts and ghouls, post /email us a photo of your Halloween costume and the best original or creative costume will receive a £10 gift voucher. 8
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