Members of West Dunbartonshire based housing association Bellsmyre have voted overwhelmingly to enter a ‘constitutional partnership’ with Caledonia Housing Association.

There was a large turnout at the Special General Meeting held at the Cutty Sark Centre in Bellsmyre on Thursday to consider joining the Group. There was strong support for the proposal with over 93 per cent of Association members at the meeting voting in favour.

The vote at the SGM to approve the partnership came after a similar result with a ballot in October where 93 per cent of the tenants voted in favour of the partnership; providing the gateway for the successful outcome.

Talks between the two landlords began 18 months ago, following a rigorous selection process, after Bellsmyre decided to look for a partner Housing Association. The partnership will bring increased investment to the properties in the area, protect rent levels, enhance services and improve governance.

Brenda Higgins, interim director at Bellsmyre Housing Association, said: “The outcome of the SGM is a vote of support from the members and a strong endorsement of Bellsmyre Management Committee’s decision to seek a partnership, they have never wavered in this view and this will now enable us to deliver the investment and high quality services that the community in Bellsmyre deserves.”

Julie Cosgrove, chief executive at Caledonia Housing Association added: “We are really pleased with the decision taken at the SGM – this will see Bellsmyre become a separate subsidiary association within the Group alongside our other partner, Renton based Cordale Housing Association. Moving forward over the next few months we will continue to work closely with the Management Committee and staff team at Bellsmyre to progress and conclude the detail of the partnership arrangements as early as possible in the New Year.”

@Caledonia_HA