COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2021 Our Board structure is based on a partnership of our tenants and Ayrshire’s communities. We’re looking for two committed and knowledgeable individuals to join the Board. We are particularly interested to hear from people with an interest and/or experience in housing and social affairs, or with the financial knowledge to contribute to the supervision of a significant not for profit company. The positions are subject to election by our community members prior to the AGM on 8 September. The positions are unpaid although travelling expenses are refundable. Attendance at up to ten evening meetings a year can be expected. We offer comprehensive induction and role development support. We are committed to equal opportunities. If you are interested, please email our Company Secretary Alan Park (info@ayrshirehousing.org.uk) with a short statement (no more than 100 words) or fill out the form overleaf. Alan will be delighted to answer your questions.
We see ourselves as very much part of the community. Each year we support a whole host of community groups and projects. To build on these links, we have created a community and exhibition space adjacent to our current office. This also includes a much enhanced reception area and interview rooms. We hope to give the former pub a new lease of life as a community venue and as a place to get advice. It’s frustrating that we can’t open our doors at present. We have seen some restrictions ease, especially for the hospitality sector. Unfortunately, the rules governing offices and indoor meetings make reopening our office very difficult at present. The new facility has though generated a lot of interest amongst community and voluntary groups. We looking forward to working with them as things ease.
It has been a challenging 18 months. Fortunately, given our small size and excellent IT support, we were able to shift to homeworking with minimum disruption. Even at the height of the first lockdown, we were able to maintain an emergency repairs service and annual gas servicing. After a short interlude, we were able to resume letting activity with a particular focus on assisting South Ayrshire Council with priority groups. All this was done with careful attention to the health and safety of our tenants, contractors and staff.
How we have coped
There was a real fear last March that housing associations would have serious financial difficulties due to mounting arrears and unlet houses. Amazingly due to the commitment of our staff, we have actually seen arrears fall slightly. This was achieved by contacting as many tenants as possible in the early months and providing advice where needed. Our ongoing investment in a money advice service has paid dividends. We have also been able to continue to build with the completion of our Elba Street development in Ayr and work starting on 52 houses in Troon. In the background, design work continued on four other developments.
North East Troon
Elba Street
Our staff have shown incredible motivation and we intend to build on this with a permanent move to hybrid working as the Coronavirus restrictions ease.
Name: ______________________________________ Address: _____________________________________ __________________________ Postcode: _________ Tel: ___________________ Email: ________________ SUPPORTING STATEMENT (no more than 100 words please):
To apply to join Ayrshire Housing’s Board, you can either email us at: info@ayrshirehousing.org.uk , or complete and return this form to us: Ayrshire Housing, 119 Main Street, Ayr, KA8 8BX. E nt ries must be rec eived by Friday 30 July 2021.
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