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JOB OF THE WEEK: DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
03 July 2009
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Ochil View (www.ochilviewha.co.uk) and Rural Stirling (www.rsha.org.uk) are ambitious and expanding housing associations committed to providing good quality affordable housing for a wide range of people throughout their respective, neighbouring areas of Clackmannanshire and West Fife and the rural North and West Stirling Council area.
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
(2 years fixed term appointment).
EVH Grade 7: £ 26,592 – 29,253 per annum
Due to their expanding new build development programmes the Associations wish to jointly recruit a Development Officer who will be responsible for new housing projects from inception to completion. Key duties include coordinating the work of external consultants and contractors and preparing submissions to Scottish Government Housing Investment Division and other funding bodies.
This represents an exciting opportunity to be involved in the delivery of a very diverse range of projects within both urban regeneration areas and a very pressured rural area, including part of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Recruitment packs available from:
Ochil View Housing Association Ltd., Ochil House, Marshill, Alloa, FK10 1AB. Tel. 01259 722899 or email: enquiries@ochilviewha.co.uk
(Particulars also available on Employers in Voluntary Housing web site: www.evh.org.uk)
Closing date for applications is Monday 27th July 2009
Interviews will be held week beginning 10th August 2009
Ochil View and Rural Stirling are committed to equality of opportunity. |
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TENDER: TENANT SATISFACTION SURVEY
03 July 2009
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Argyll Community Housing Association Ltd has approximately 5,100 properties throughout Argyll and Bute. It is our intention to conduct a tenant satisfaction survey of our tenants during 2009.
The Association is seeking expressions of interest from companies who are suitably qualified to carry out such a survey. Previous experience of conducting a Tenant Satisfaction Survey for a social housing provider using a range of methods would be essential as is the ability to capture and analyse data using appropriate systems.
The aim of the survey is to:
measure current tenant satisfaction over a number of areas allowing us to report this back to all tenants
determine ACHA’s strengths and weaknesses
provide tenant input to our continual improvement agenda
provide internal benchmarks for future measurement of performance
Expressions of interest, in writing, by Friday 24th July 2009 are invited from interested parties.
A company profile and information giving previous experience of conducting tenant satisfaction surveys for the social housing sector together with a list of previous clients in the sector from whom we can obtain references should be sent to:
Gillian McInnes, Community Development Manager, Argyll Community Housing Association Ltd, Dalriada House, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8ST
If further information is required please contact Gillian on 01546 604576 or email at gillian.mcinnes@acha.co.uk
www.acha.co.uk
Argyll Community Housing Association Ltd
Registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965
Registration no 2661 R (S)
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TENDER: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY
03 July 2009
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East Lothian Housing Association intends to conduct a Customer Satisfaction Survey of its 1100 tenants during 2009.
The Association is looking for a suitably qualified company to carry out such a survey. Previous experience of conducting a Customer Satisfaction Survey for a housing association or local authority is essential.
A company profile and information including previous experience of conducting customer satisfaction surveys for social housing clients, with details of previous social housing sector clients, should be sent to Karen Barry, Housing Manager, East Lothian Housing Association, 24 Hardgate, Haddington, East Lothian EH41 3JR by Friday 3 July.
If you would like more information please contact Karen on 01620 825032 or info@elha.com.
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EVENT: INVESTING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SCOTLAND
03 July 2009
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Investing in Affordable Housing in Scotland
19th August 2009, Edinburgh
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The way in which social housing in Scotland is funded is changing. Find out the implications for your organisation at this conference.
The Scottish Government is striving for greater efficiencies in the investment and procurement processes involved in the delivery of new affordable housing. It is developing a standard for ‘approved developers’ and achievement of this standard will be a requirement for any RSL or council looking to develop with Government subsidy. Long-term funding commitments will be made to RSLs who meet these standards.
This conference focuses on how the changes set out in Investing in Affordable Housing, will work in practice to produce greater efficiencies. It will consider the options for forming consortia, applying for subsidy and discuss the formation of the ‘approved developer’ standard. If you are involved in the delivery of affordable housing in Scotland attend this conference to find out how the changes will affect you.
Key issues to be covered include:
Understand the Government’s proposals for changing the way affordable housing in Scotland is invested in and delivered
Hear from leading industry figures how the proposals will work in practice
Learn what funding is available and how it can be secured
Find out how to build effective partnerships between the public and private sectors
Understand how existing housing stock is being improved and work towards the 2015 Scottish Housing Quality Standard
Discuss what further improvements are needed to the delivery of affordable housing in Scotland
For further information and to register please go to: www.eventsforce.net/scottishhousing. |
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SCOTTISH HOUSING JOBS ON-LINE
03 July 2009
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Jobs
Ochil View and Rural Stirling Housing Associations are seeking a Development Officer. Closing Date: July 27.
Abbeyfield Scotland is seeking a Housing Officer (P/T), North of Scotland, 21 hours per week, EVH Grade 7 (£26,592 - £29,253 per annum pro-rata). Closing date: July 10.
Tenders
Argyll Community Housing Association Ltd is inviting tenders for a tenant satisfaction survey. For more information, go to: www.scottishhousingnews.com . Closing date: July 24.
East Lothian Housing Association is inviting tenders for a Customer Satisfaction Survey. For more information, go to: www.scottishhousingnews.com. Closing date: July 3.
To view all the jobs and tenders, go to: Scottish Housing News jobs On-line.
To advertise, call Contact Publicity on 0141 204 2042 or email: jobsonline@contactpublicity.co.uk |
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APOLLO EXPANDS IN TO SCOTLAND
03 July 2009
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One of the UK’s leading providers of integrated property services, the Apollo Group opened its Glasgow-based office in 2008.
Operating across the whole of Scotland, the region has already secured a number of significant projects with Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords.
Focussing on projects within the Scottish Housing Quality Standard programme, Apollo in Scotland looks set to mirror the Group’s wider growth in England. Apollo has become recognised for excellence in delivering housing refurbishment schemes under the English Decent Homes Standard and has also grown a substantial portfolio of works within the Building Schools for the Future investment programme.
Apollo’s Glasgow-based office is headed by Regional Director, Eamonn McGarvey, who has over 20 years’ management experience of delivering successful projects in this sector.
He said: “Apollo is more than just another property services company – our work helps to change people’s lives and transform communities. We have an experienced team on board and the stage is set for Apollo to become a major player in Scotland as it is in the rest of the UK.”
Consistently rated among the top three in the Social Housing Contractors league table and a finalist in 2009’s Best Places to Work in Construction awards, the Apollo Group is among the fastest-growing integrated property services providers in the UK. The company’s broader business growth strategy has seen office openings in Peterborough, Kent and Dorset over the past few months and includes plans for further growth across the UK in the next 5 years.
Contact : Brian Morrow, Divisional Director, Scotland brianmorrow@theapollogroup.co.uk
www.theapollogroup.co.uk
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NORTH LANARKSHIRE SET FOR NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES SCHEME
03 July 2009
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CGI of the new homes at Holytown
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Lovell has been chosen by North Lanarkshire Council for a £2.2m project to build 20 new affordable homes at Holytown, near Motherwell, North Lanarkshire.
The scheme marks the first stage of the council’s £30m new house building programme to deliver over 200 new homes.
The Holytown development will create ten three-bedroom houses, six two-bedroom houses and four two-bedroom flats on land at Spruce Way and Main Street. The properties will all be for affordable rent and will be completed in April 2010.
Council Deputy Provost, Jim Robertson, said: “The need for good quality, affordable housing is needed now more than ever and we are pleased to be playing our part in meeting the needs of our local communities.”
Lovell regional director, Alan Taylor, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council to deliver high-quality new affordable homes for the community.”
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BERWICKSHIRE H.A. GETS ‘FAIR’ RATING FROM REGULATOR
03 July 2009
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The Scottish Housing Regulator has published its inspection report on Berwickshire Housing Association, awarding it a ‘Fair’ rating overall.
Berwickshire Housing Association is based in Duns in the Scottish Borders. It owns around 1,750 houses across Berwickshire.
Michael Cameron, Head of Inspection at the Scottish Housing Regulator, said: “Our inspectors found that Berwickshire Housing Association has some of strengths but also some areas where it needs to improve. The Association has a clear focus on improving its services to customers, is doing this in a range of ways and has further plans for improvement.
“The Association made a number of immediate changes to its services in response to the inspection.
“However, Berwickshire needs to improve its performance management, the management of its repairs service and it also needs to ensure its approach to lettings fully meets housing need. Berwickshire is improving its business planning but it needs to develop this further and it has not prepared a detailed strategy to deliver its planned efficiencies.”
Michael Calvert, Chair of Berwickshire Housing Association, said: “BHA has always aimed for excellence in its services and feels that the inspectors have acknowledged where this has been achieved. We are now keen to put in place the actions we are agreeing with the regulator.”
Helen Forsyth, Director of Berwickshire Housing Association, said: “Inspection was a very positive process for us. It confirmed that our work to date is moving in the right direction and it allowed us to celebrate our strengths, acknowledged our weaknesses and our plans to tackle them and gave us some excellent ideas about other initiatives we can take. We will be working on our improvement plan from now and will prioritise our strategy to deliver planned efficiencies.”
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BLOCHAIRN CELEBRATES COURT VICTORY
03 July 2009
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A Glasgow housing association has won a court battle with a multi-national IT firm.
Housing management system provider Kypera sued community-run Blochairn Housing Co-operative for breach of a contract it had cancelled in 2007 on the grounds of poor service and lack of confidence in the company’s ability to resolve outstanding problems.
Kypera took Blochairn to court claiming that the contract tied them in for three years. The judge at Bradford County Court dismissed Kypera’s claim, ordering Kypera to pay damages of £3,433 for wasted time to be paid to Blochairn, as well as ordering Kypera to pay Blochairn’s court costs. The judge also refused Kypera leave to appeal the case.
Kypera is a specialist provider of business solutions, including a housing management solution technology which is used across the sector managing rents, repairs, service charges, waiting lists and planned maintenance.
Blochairn owns 220 houses in the Royston area of North Glasgow, consisting of a mix of both new build developments and refurbished tenement properties.
Michael Carberry, director of Blochairn, said: “Kypera took over Harkins & Anderson when they went into administration in 2006 in an attempt to expand into the Scottish housing association market, but they struggled to come to grips with the computer system they had acquired and as a result they lost a lot of Scottish customers in 2007.
“Kypera threatened to raise an action against us in the English courts, but we stood our ground. We were not prepared to hand over our tenants’ money to a company who had failed to deliver what they promised.
“I was surprised when they followed through with the court action but they didn’t seem to understand the nature of small community owned housing associations in Scotland. The judge said he found the evidence given by Kypera to be unconvincing. The court’s decision was as complete a victory as we could have hoped for and a victory for common sense.”
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STUDENTS CELEBRATE SUCCESS ON PILOT COMMUNITY HOUSING PROGRAMME
03 July 2009
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Sharon O’Hara and Alan Inglis
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Students in Glasgow’s east end are celebrating after completing a pioneering new programme designed to recognise working within housing and communities.
The HNC Working with Communities/Housing pilot programme was created by John Wheatley College in partnership with Easthall Park Housing Co-operative. The course is the first of its kind in Scotland and, supported by 12 housing organisations across the city, the students have benefited from workplace-based practical experience.
Sharon O’Hara, 32, from Shettleston has completed the new HNC and has found a new career thanks to the innovative course. She now has a post as a lecturer at the college.
She said: “I can’t believe how much my life has changed in a year in such a fantastic way. I applied for the course because there is a lot of regeneration going on across Glasgow and I felt it would be an exciting time to get involved.
“It was a great feeling being one of the first to gain such a valuable qualification and I am looking forward to making a contribution to the course as it develops in the years to come.”
Sharon and her fellow students will receive their certificates from the college at a celebration of learning ceremony on Tuesday 23 June. Nine of the twelve students will be receiving their awards on Tuesday. Two students have already gained second year entry to Glasgow University for advanced study, with another two moving to employment and a further five actively seeking training and employment opportunities.
Billy Hunter, 59, of Cambuslang, has been accepted into second year at Glasgow University to study for a BA in Community Development.
He said: “The course has been a huge success and I hope it will attract people looking to benefit from the combined elements of the course (the HNC and Professional Development Award) next year after such a huge effort from all involved.”
John McMorrow, director of Easthall Park, said: “We are delighted to have developed such a unique programme which combines specialisms and prepares students for a career working with people in communities and/or housing. We hope that our work with John Wheatley has created a model example which could be rolled out to educational institutions across the country with the support of housing associations and other organisations.”
Alan Inglis, Assistant Principal at the College, added: “The combined award, HNC in Working with Communities and Professional Development Award in Housing Law for Advisers, is designed to prepare students for sustainable employment or further study within the sector, bringing together nationally recognised qualifications in both community development and housing.”
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RECORD RESPONSE TO NEW MELVILLE PROPERTY POSITION
03 July 2009
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Melville Housing Association has received a record response to a new position, created to help manage its growing number of properties.
More than 200 job seekers have been in touch about the trainee admin assistant role since it was advertised in the middle of June.
Melville’s Director of HR and Corporate Services Helen Armour, said: “The response to the job advert has been surprising but extremely encouraging. Given the current economic climate we expected a fair amount of interest but nothing like the record level we’ve seen.
“These are exciting times for Melville and the candidate we chose to fill the new role will play a key part in helping us build on the quality housing services we provide to tenants both now and in the future.”
The new role has been created in the property services team which is responsible for the continual improvement and upkeep of all Melville’s 1725 homes. This includes ensuring they meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by the Government’s 2015 deadline.
The 10-strong property services team is also responsible for allocating homes to new tenants, and with a record number of over 3000 on its housing waiting list, demand for the service has never been greater.
Responding to these ever-increasing demands, Melville is currently looking at a number of areas to develop its new build and purchase programme and recently agreed a six-figure deal to build 24 new flats at Wester Cowden in Dalkeith.
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AGENCY SUPPORTS 15 JOBS AT NEW GLASGOW CARE HOME
03 July 2009
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Glenlivet Gardens' staff
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Thanks to the support from the Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency’s recruitment team, a new care home facility in Darnley is now operating with ‘job ready’ local staff.
Glenlivet Gardens Care Home is a state-of-the-art 48 bed, care home that prides itself in offering a quality service for the elderly. Over £3m has been invested in the new facility and every detail has been taken care of. From comfortable en-suite rooms, communal living spaces, dinning facilities and therapy rooms to full safety and security systems.
It is run and managed by father and son team, John and Scott Shearer. They have a wealth of experience in the care sector and genuine passion for providing a great place for their residents.
Scott Shearer, Director of JSL Care Ltd said: “We’ve invested so much time, money and energy in the building and it was critical for us to make sure that when it came to recruiting the staff to run the operations we got the right people with the right skills to take care of our residents.
“The service and support we received from GSWGA has been first-class. Alison Chambers has been excellent and worked closely with the Glenlivet senior staff. She has helped us with pre-screening applicants, conducting interviews, training and administration support. It’s been like having our very own HR department on tap.”
Patricia Chalmers, Manager at Glenlivet added: “Working with Alison has helped our recruitment drive tremendously. It quickened the process and made sure that we had a wide selection of quality candidates from which to choose. GSWRA has also supported our new team through training and made sure that when the majority of new staff started they had undergone an Introduction to Social Care course.
“The services provided by GSWRA have allowed us to get operational with a new team that have hit the ground running. They are fully trained and motivated to care for our residents.”
Alison said: “They’ve invested a massive amount of money in the south west and created 15 new jobs in the last few months. Glenlivet will have a phased opening and over the next 6 months. There will be a total of 45 new jobs created in the south west, and at a time when some companies are experiencing difficulty it is all the more important that we celebrate the success of new businesses, especially those which show a real commitment to working with people from the local area.”
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LOREBURN FIREWALKERS RAISE FUNDS FOR DEBRA
03 July 2009
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Connor presenting the cheque to Jaye
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Challenge Loreburn Day, when colleagues at Loreburn Housing Association turn their hands to a wide variety of activities, including the sometimes unusual and unorthodox, has been declared a success.
When a member of one of the Challenge Loreburn teams (who shall remain nameless!) came up with the idea of fire-walking as a Challenge Loreburn activity the group laughed and thought it was a joke. However, the more they thought about it the more appealing it became – believe it or not!
The team got in touch with Doogie of Sundance Firewalk who came along on the day and took them through their paces at Loreburn’s Beeswing training facility.
No-one got cold feet on the day – quite the opposite – some ended up with fire kisses which is fire-walking jargon for blisters! Some of the members of the group also took part in an arrow break as well – very brave of them.
The team raised £863.70 for DebRA through sponsorship of individuals and from donations. This is the national charity working on behalf of people in the UK with the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). Donations were received from the following companies: Merlin Office Equipment, Danwood and Langmuir & Hay, to whom Loreburn is extremely grateful.
Mrs Crossan is a resident at Loreburn’s Nithsdale Mills sheltered complex in Dumfries - her grandson Connor suffers from a mild form of this condition. The cheque was presented to Jaye Hamilton who is the Fundraising Manager in Scotland for DebRA. Jaye is pictured receiving the cheque from Connor with Mrs Crossan and a few of the brave colleagues.
This is just one example of the many big things have been achieved at Loreburn, this year celebrating its place in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies List, because of the quality and dedication of its staff team.
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BIG SUCCESS FOR MARYHILL GALA DAY
03 July 2009
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Kids have fun at the Gala Day
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Bigger-than-expected crowds have helped turn Maryhill Gala Day into a sizzling summer success.
The event, organised by Maryhill Community Council and supported by Maryhill Housing Association, was brought back to life two years ago. And judging by the turnout of local families for the 2009 gala day, it has made a welcome return.
Such was its popularity that organisers believe there was double the number of people who attended in 2008. Maryhill Community Council decided to reinvigorate the gala day after several years when one did not take place.
Funding for this year’s even which included the hugely-popular Maryhill’s Got Musical Talent contest came from Glasgow City Council (Maryhill Kelvin Area Committee), Scottish Community Foundation, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, Maryhill HA and Maryhill LHO.
Bobby Pollock of Maryhill Housing Association, who is also Secretary of Maryhill Community Council, said: “We were delighted with the support the gala day received from the local community. Families really did turn out in force to have some fun and make the gala day an occasion to remember.”
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RENEWABLES ACTION PLAN PUBLISHED
03 July 2009
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John Swinney
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Developing the right renewables infrastructure and boosting skills will help Scotland to meet its climate change targets, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney has said.
The Government's Renewables Action Plan will drive the development of renewable energy and capitalise on Scotland's unique natural resources to derive maximum economic benefit.
The Plan identifies collective actions by government, its agencies and partners, to ensure at least a fifth of Scotland's energy comes from renewables by 2020. It will kickstart a renewable heat industry to massively increase take up; identify necessary infrastructure projects and options to deliver them; and get the skills mix right to maximise potential and attract investment.
Swinney said: "Moving to a low carbon economy presents huge economic opportunities and our Bill now commits us to action. Offshore wind, marine energy and renewable heat will now be a key focus due to the potential to generate clean energy, reduce emissions and the associated manufacturing and infrastructure opportunities.
“Scottish Enterprise and HIE will develop a clear framework for port and land infrastructure to support the manufacturing, construction, and operation of offshore wind, wave and tidal devices.
"Heat from renewables needs to rise tenfold in the next decade and we will investigate all options to boost the sector, from large scale industrial plants, more energy from biomass and waste, through to microgeneration. We will support growth in, and diversification into, the renewable heat sector with further targeted inward investment.
"We will take a close look at the skills mix and ensure we can maintain a world class skills base in a rapidly changing technological environment. We will also support the development and co-ordination of supply chains across the renewable technologies to keep maximum economic benefit in Scotland.
"The Plan requires long term collaboration, and that process begins now. The pace of change demands a constantly evolving framework and the Plan will be updated and refreshed every six months to take account of the latest developments. That is the way we will stimulate a leading renewables industry and play our part in tackling climate change."
The Renewables Action Plan can be viewed at:
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HOUSING NEWS: INNOVATION ROUND-UP
03 July 2009
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Click the picture to see why they are smiling
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NEWS 
