JOB OF THE WEEK: HEAD OF BUSINESS ANALYSIS
05 September 2008

The Scottish Housing Regulator is here to protect the interests of tenants. It’s about being that pressure point to secure decent homes and services. The social housing sector is about people, not profit. Improving the business and financial performance of social landlords is vital to their success – not least where they rely on private lending to build new homes. With one in four of Scotland’s population living in social housing we are offering you a unique opportunity to make a real difference to a lot more than the bottom line. The Scottish Housing Regulator is seeking a Head of Business Analysis, Salary: £46,698 - £64,081 (plus IT pay supplement). You understand good financial and business planning, what makes businesses tick, what matters to funders, and how to curb cost growth. You will be responsible for tracking the financial health of individual landlords and the sector as a whole. You will also co-ordinate our risk assessments of landlords, drawing in other nonfinancial information, and from this, developing regulation plans for individual organisations. You will be a financial expert. But you are much more than a number cruncher. You will be analytically sharp and an excellent communicator. As a Board member within the agency you will be a collaborative leader. You will possess the sort of business acumen and gravitas that bring credibility to our work with lenders, policy-makers and landlords. You are degree educated. Ideally, we would like you to have a professional qualification in accountancy or banking, but this is not essential. We will pay towards the top of the range for an exceptional candidate. For an information pack please visit our website www.drive-improvement.co.uk or write to Scottish Government Central Resourcing Unit, S1 Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD, giving your full postal address. Completed applications must be returned by Friday 12th September 2008.

TENDER: APPOINTMENT OF EMPLOYER’S AGENT AND CDM CO-ORDINATOR
05 September 2008

Wishaw & District Housing Association is a registered social landlord with over 900 properties in Wishaw and the surrounding areas within North Lanarkshire. We are seeking to appoint an Employer’s Agent and a CDM Co-ordinator for our newbuild project at Craigenuk Street 3. This negotiated design & build project will comprise between 35 and 40 general needs houses and flats adjacent to the new Ravenscraig development in Craigneuk, Wishaw. If you are interested in either appointment please contact Colette McKenna on 01698 372776 or by email at Colette.McKenna@wishawdha.org.uk for a pre-qualification questionnaire. The closing date for registering interest / requesting a pre-qualification questionnaire is 4pm on Friday 12 September 2008.

JOB OF THE WEEK: HOUSING ASSISTANT
05 September 2008

Almond Housing Association, West Lothian’s largest Registered Social Landlord, is seeking an enthusiastic and suitably qualified individual to join a team engaged in the management and maintenance of over 2,200 properties in Livingston and other towns in West Lothian. Along with Weslo Housing Management and West Lothian Council we are part of the West Lothian Common Housing Register. The successful applicant will be offered a challenging and satisfying workload and competitive employment package. HOUSING ASSISTANT Employment package includes a generous holiday entitlement of 34 days; 36 hour working week on a flexitime scheme; salary grading between £12,894 and £19,436; inclusion in the company private healthcare scheme; final salary pension and a wide variety of staff discounts including subsidised gym membership (after the initial probationary period) Your duties will cover various housing tasks including allocations and repairs recording. You will work within a team environment in a busy office, therefore a friendly and calm manner is essential. You will be self-motivated, able to provide telephone and administration services for various sections, have a flexible outlook to work and be able to assist members of the public in a friendly and professional manner. It is essential that you have at least six months experience of working in a housing environment; you should have some experience of allocations and repairs, good computer skills and are familiar with modern office technology. Closing date for all applications 19th September 2008 Interviews will be held week beginning 29th September 2008 To apply please download the application form and supporting documents from our website www.almondha.org.uk, or contact us on 01506 835215 if you do not have access to the internet. Completed applications should be clearly marked “Private and Confidential – ALM80” and returned to us at the following address: Head of Policy & Development; Almond Housing Association; Shiel House; Shiel Walk; Craigshill; LIVINGSTON; West Lothian; EH54 5EH. CVs will not be accepted. Almond aims to be an equal opportunities employer. Almond Housing Association: Providing the Right to Rent Quality Housing in West Lothian.

GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITIES GIVE HOPE FOR END TO RIGHT-TO-BUY
05 September 2008

Jacqui Watt The SFHA has congratulated the Scottish Government on its plans, floated in its set of legislative priorities for the 2008/09 parliamentary session, to eventually end right-to-buy for all new social rented tenants – though it won’t happen this year. Jacqui Watt, SFHA Chief Executive said: "The SFHA supports the Scottish Government’s intention to introduce legislation to severely restrict the Right to Buy in 2009/10. We are especially delighted that they have indicated an intention to give serious consideration to the SFHA's suggestion to remove the Right to Buy for all new tenancies. “We also look forward to discussing with them ways in which the exemption of housing association tenancies from the Modernised Right to Buy can be extended beyond the current deadline of 2012, which is also the year in which Scotland's homelessness legislation takes full effect. “It seems to us that these two pieces of public policy, which will allow thousands of relatively new properties to become subject to removal from the affordable rented stock at the very moment all eyes will be on our homelessness targets, are like polar opposites colliding.” “Scotland has attracted world-wide attention for its innovative approach to homelessness, and now it has the chance to similarly lead the way in the dismantling of a policy – Right to Buy – that has outlived its usefulness." The Scottish Government has confirmed that it intends – probably during 2009/10 – to legislate to end the right-to-buy in the country, in a document setting out the legislative priorities for the 12 months. However a housing bill is not among the list of 15 that have been announced by First Minister Alex Salmond. Instead the government intends to consult on a draft housing bill over the next year.

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FURNISHING INITIATIVE PILOTED IN FALKIRK
05 September 2008

Quickstart - a new scheme to provide homeless people to start off with basic furnishings when taking up a new tenancy - is to be piloted by Falkirk Council in partnership with Grangemouth Enterprises Ltd (GEL) and the Falkirk Homeless Project. The project, which was approved at today's meeting of the Housing and Social Services Committee, will enable used and new furniture for homeless people to be supplied quickly reducing the time properties lay empty. It will also save materials including white goods being sent to landfill, the committee heard. GEL and Falkirk Homeless Project have both provided furniture for homeless people who can't afford it and who don't receive grants to equip a new home. Falkirk Council is also able to provide items like beds, cookers and refrigerators for a weekly charge under the National Furnished Tenancy Scheme. Changes have been made to how councils are allowed to use furnished tenancy funding by the Scottish Government which paved the way for Falkirk Council to enter into a public social partnership (PSP) with GEL and Falkirk Homeless Project Councillor Gerry Goldie, Convener of Housing and Social Services, said: "This is a very promising project which will assist homeless people to make a good start in a new tenancy, help us reduce the time properties are lying empty and, with our partners, make the most effective use of the money available. There is also the added benefit to the environment with more domestic furnishings being recycled and saved from landfill." It is hoped the Quickstart scheme will get underway in October.

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ALL CHANGE FOR HOUSING BENEFIT?
05 September 2008

A one-day conference on local housing allowance and housing benefit changes is to be held on Monday 20 October 2008 at The Lighthouse, Glasgow, 9.15am - 4.15pm Following the introduction of local housing allowance in April 2008, this Shelter event brings experts in housing benefit together to assess the impact it has had. Proposals to change the way housing benefit is paid for temporary accommodation will also be discussed, as well as looking at future developments in housing benefit. The conference will give delegates the opportunity to share their experiences of managing local housing allowance and hear different perspectives from speakers and workshop leaders. Peter Meehan, Scotland's leading expert on housing benefit, will chair the event. This conference will be particularly relevant for: Private landlords and letting agents Local authority benefits officers, private rented sector and homelessness staff Housing management staff Voluntary sector staff Advice, information and advocacy staff Cost £140, reduced rates available for early booking and voluntary and community organisations. For full details see http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/events Contact Hazel Wilson on 0844 515 2465 or email scotlandevents@shelter.org.uk to book your place.

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HIGH SATISFACTION WITH COMHAIRLE HOME CARE SERVICE
05 September 2008

A massive 94% of users of the Comhairle’s Home Care Service are extremely, very or quite satisfied with the help received from the service. That’s one of the findings of a survey undertaken amongst service users. In addition, 92% of respondents said that their carers always or usually came at times that suited them. 86% said that someone always or usually lets them know about changes in their care whilst 92% said their care workers always or usually did the things they wanted done. The postal survey had a 61% return rate. The results will be used to improve the service and will also be shared with the Care Commission as part of the Quality Assurance process. Annie Macdonald, Chair of the Joint Services Committee, said: “These results are good news. They are very encouraging and reflect the dedication and commitment of our home care workers and the high standards of the service. However we are not complacent and where improvements can be made, we will seek to do so.” Other findings from the survey included that 95% of respondents strongly agreed that they felt safe in their home. 84% strongly agreed or agreed that they had as much contact with other people as they wanted. 89% strongly agreed that they got up and went to bed at times that suited them. The Home care User Survey was sent to all Home Care users as part of the Social Work Department’s Quality Assurance framework.

SSE AGREES PREFERRED SUPPLIER STATUS WITH ACHA
05 September 2008

ACHA and Scottish and Southern Energy plc are delighted to announce that they have signed a preferred energy supplier agreement. The preferred energy agreement means that when ACHA properties become void the gas and electricity supplier will transfer from the existing supplier to Scottish and Southern Energy (Scottish Hydro Electric). This means that the Association only has to deal with one energy supplier using a standardised process and forms rather than many different suppliers with different processes and forms. This is less complex and more efficient, particularly where long void periods are concerned. In addition, any new build properties that ACHA develops will be supplied in the first instance by Scottish and Southern Energy (Scottish Hydro Electric). The agreement will last initially for three years. The arrangement does not prevent any new occupying tenant from exercising their freedom of choice regarding their energy supplier for electricity or gas once they have taken up their new tenancy. Any existing arrangements made by current tenants are wholly unaffected by this agreement. Christine Johnston, Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services for ACHA said, “This is really good news for ACHA and our tenants as it will streamline both our tenancy start and end process through a single supplier relationship which will help with our void turnaround times which in turn enables us to let properties quicker to those in need.” Keiron Nicoll, Key Account Manager for Scottish and Southern Energy said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with ACHA. Delivering a reliable and award-winning service to both ACHA and its tenants.”

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GLASGOW AND WEST OF SCOTLAND FORUM OF H.A.s ANNUAL CONFERENCE
05 September 2008

The Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations are holding their fourth Annual Conference at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow on September 19. Entitled Flourishing in the Future it is will be of interest to all staff and committee members of associations and co-ops operating in and around Glasgow. The key note speeches include a contribution from Lucy Ferman of the Tribal Group who has worked closely with the PlaceShapers group in England. PlaceShapers is a group of associations who put residents and customers at the centre of what they do and ensure that they have real influence on how their organisations evolve. There will be workshops on campaigning and the proposed changes in investment. The final key note will be delivered by John Carnochan of the Violence Reduction Unit who will give his view on how community controlled housing associations can help create safer neighbourhoods. Bookings at:

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GO GREEN WITH HILLCREST
05 September 2008

To promote Hillcrest’s commitment to sustainability the, Dundee housing association is organising a green week to raise awareness of sustainability and promote energy efficiency to its tenants and staff. On October 21, Hillcrest will host an event in Dundee (Bonar Hall) and on the 22nd will be in Edinburgh (Dynamic Earth) to allow people to come along and meet with various organisations who are committed to various sustainability issues. There will be energy efficiency advisers on hand and workshops on how to reduce fuel costs. Hillcrest have also booked an energy bike, smoothie cycle, cooking demonstrations and lots more. The event is planned to run during the day and into early evening.

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FALKIRK COUNCIL INTRODUCE HANDY PERSON SERVICE
05 September 2008

Older and disabled people are set to benefit from the introduction of a handyperson service Falkirk Council which was approved today by the Housing and Social Services Committee. The service - complementing the small repairs service already introduced by the Council under the Care & Repair scheme - will be available to people in private sector and Council housing and will provide help with tasks like: • hanging curtains • replacing light bulbs and smoke alarm batteries • moving furniture • fitting door chains, shelves and curtain rails • re-setting heating controls and similar small tasks, for over 60 or who have a disability, who have no able-bodied person to help them and may find difficulty finding a tradesman willing to take on such small jobs. It will run as a pilot project for a year as an extension of the existing Care and Repair Service which helps older owner occupiers with housing repairs, improvements and adaptations. Councillor Gerry Goldie, Convener of the Housing and Social Services Committee said: "Quite simple things can become unsurmountable problems for elderly and disabled people who have no one to help them. This is the sort of service which can make a big difference to the quality of life for people who have no-one to help them with small tasks around the house."

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