Winter 2014 - A Scottish Housing Connections Website

GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014
OFFICE EMERGENCY CHRISTMAS
REPAIR TEL –
HOLIDAYS –
0141 771 9590
OFFICE CLOSURE
Emergency repairs are repairs, which could
cause danger to health, residents’ safety, or
serious damage to property. If you have any
emergency repairs during a holiday period,
or at a time when the office is closed, please
simply telephone our office and choose the
relevant option from our phone menu –
Call 0141 771 9590.
Any resident who suspects a gas leak should
contact: Scotland Gas Networks (formerly
TRANSCO) 0800 111 999 or 0845 070 1432
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
The office will be closed on:
Wednesday 24th December 2014 at 12:30
and will re-open on Tuesday 6th
January 2015 at 9:30am
Should you have any
emergency repair requirements
during this time please
telephone our office and
choose to contact our relevant
emergency repair contractors:
OFFICE EMERGENCY REPAIR TEL –
0141 771 9590
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 1
RENT INCREASE 2015
You will shortly receive some information from the Association on the proposed rent increase for
2015-2016. By law, we are required to consult with you on the proposals.
The Management Committee are made up of local residents who sit down at this time of year to
look at the budget for 2015-2016 and the plans that have been made to ensure that your home is
maintained and that you continue to receive a quality service.
All the costs for the Association are considered including, staff costs, training costs, repairs and
maintenance costs and this helps us to budget for next year.
The Management Committee also looked at the long term financial plans for the Association to
check that we have enough funds for our future proposals.
We want to ensure that rents remain affordable but we must also ensure that we are covering our
costs.
REGULATION PLAN
The Scottish Housing Regulator issued Gardeen with a regulation plan in March 2014.
The Scottish Housing Regulator decided to have a medium engagement with Gardeen Housing
Association based on:
• Percentage of former
tenant arrears written off
• Percentage of tenancies
sustained
• Percentage of lets to
homeless
We met with the Regulator in September 2014 and are pleased to report that the level of
engagement is now low.
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 2
JOB CLUB
Marks and Spencer are looking for staff at
the new store at The Fort. Please contact the
office to make an appointment for the Job
Club if you would like further information.
The Job Club meets every Thursday
afternoon in our office and can help with
looking for a job and also looking for more
hours if you already have a job.
If you are interested in a career in care please
contact the office to make an appointment
to see Chris Burns. Mears are currently
recruiting care workers in the East and South
West areas of Glasgow. Chris can discuss this
in more detail at an appointment.
ACCESS ROAD LIGHTS
At the Annual General Meeting in
August 2014, a number of tenants
asked us to repair the lights in
the access road. These were not
repaired as a result of vandalism.
We have considered this request
but we will not be repairing the
lights at present due to the ongoing
concerns regarding vandalism in
the area.
BURNMOUTH ROAD
Gardeen Housing Association is very keen to develop new homes for affordable rent in the
vacant site at Burnmouth Road. This site is owned by Glasgow Housing Association.
Glasgow Housing Association has been carrying out some investigations on the land. We will
keep you updated on any discussions that we have with Glasgow Housing Association.
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 3
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOUR
Following a few simple dos and don’ts can help reduce
difficulties and make life more enjoyable for all residents:
Do:
üü Take your turn at cleaning any common areas, such as
stairs and bin areas;
üü Lock gates and doors behind you;
üü Keep pets under control at all times;
üü Keep an eye on your children and visitors and make sure
they are not causing nuisance to other neighbours;
üü Try and keep noise at a reasonable level and avoid loud
noises at night;
üü Expect to hear noise from other properties at times and be
tolerant of this;
üü Make sure that people visiting come and leave quietly,
especially at night;
üü Put rubbish in bins provided and put your rubbish out for
collection;
üü Maintain your garden;
üü Report repairs as they occur.
Don’t:
ûû Play music, TV etc at loud volumes, especially late at night;
ûû Carry out DIY late at night;
ûû Use noisy household appliances like vacuum cleaners/
washing machines late at night;
ûû Leave rubbish lying around;
ûû Leave bikes, prams etc lying in common areas;
ûû Let anyone into the close or your home if they are not
coming to visit you;
ûû Make alterations to your home without written permission
from the Association;
ûû Allow pets to foul in common areas or gardens. Dog
owners who do not clean up after their dogs are breaking
the law and can be fined.
ûû Allow any member of your home, or visitors to cause any
harassment to others;
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 4
COLD CALLERS: CHARITY WORKERS
The Association has been advised of the increase in cold callers in the area- many are calling from
charities. Please ensure that you do not allow anyone into the close or your home. Follow these
simple rules:
• Be on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly
• Use a door chain or bar
• Always put the chain on before opening the door
• Keep it on while talking to callers
• Don’t feel embarrassed - genuine callers expect you to be careful
• If you don’t have a door chain, check from the nearest window. Remember, door chains can
be easily fitted
• If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door
Who should I call…
…If I feel threatened, unsafe or suspicious of a caller?
• Contact the police immediately on 999
…If I see something suspicious in my area, or want more advice about doorstep crime?
Contact the police on 101
Try and take a note of vehicle details or registration numbers and descriptions of anyone
suspicious
…if I want to contact the police anonymously?
Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also visit its website at
www.crimestoppers-uk.org
…to find out more about home safety services?
Contact your local police station on 101 to arrange a free security survey
Contact your local Trading Standards: Some operate No Cold Calling Zones or have lists of
approved traders
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 5
FUEL POVERTY
New investment coming to help tackle fuel poverty
People across the country are being
urged to act now to cut their bills and
make their homes warmer as part of
a Scottish Government campaign to
encourage people to call the Home
Energy Scotland Hotline (0808 808 2282).
A one-stop shop for advice and support,
the Home Energy Scotland Hotline
is there to help Scots keep warm this
winter and beyond. Around a third of
Scottish households have been offered
advice by the hotline since it started, and
it is the only source of clear and impartial
advice on how to make your home
cheaper to heat.
The campaign to highlight the hotline
comes as the Scottish Government
has announced it will invest millions
into a new national fuel poverty scheme. This will build on the success of the Energy Assistance
Scheme, which has provided over 46,000 vulnerable households with heating and/or insulation
measures over the past five years.
The government’s new scheme will build on the existing programme, to address fuel poverty,
which affects more than a quarter of all Scottish households – 27 per cent - through a mix of
rising energy prices and the many old, inefficient houses in Scotland. The government will shortly
be inviting bids for a contract, worth up to £224 million over seven years, to deliver the scheme
from 2015.
To find out exactly what you are eligible for - whatever your circumstances - call the Scottish
Government’s Home Energy Scotland Hotline now on 0808 808 2282 or go to www.
homeenergyscotland.org.uk . Act now to make your home warmer and help Scotland go greener
together.
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 6
VANDALISM
We are disappointed to note that there
has been an increase in vandalism over
the months of October and November
2014. There has been damage to front
and close doors and an increase in
graffiti.
This cost is met from the rent that you
pay. If costs for vandalism increase,
then the Association does not have
as much cash to spend on day to day
repairs and planned maintenance
including kitchens and bathrooms.
Help us to reduce our costs by
reporting any acts of vandalism to the
office. Your information will be dealt
with in strict confidence and we can
then recharge the guilty party.
ACCESS FOR NON-EMERGENCY REPAIRS
The Maintenance Policy was recently
reviewed. The Policy has been changed
for non-emergency repairs.
The contractor will visit twice. If the
contractor does not gain access
on either of these two visits and
you do not contact to re-arrange
the appointment, the repair will be
cancelled and you will be notified of
this in writing.
Please keep the Association updated
if your telephone number changes
to help make sure we can give our
contractors up to date details and
continue to provide a quick and
responsive repairs service.
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 7
RULE CHANGE 2015
We will be organising a Special General Meeting
to take place on Wednesday 18 February 2015
at our offices. The meeting will be to discuss a
change to our rules that will allow us to meet the
requirements of the Scottish Housing Regulator.
The Scottish Housing Regulator is responsible
for protecting the interests of tenants, homeless
people and others who use social landlords’
services.
Look out for your papers in the New Year that will
give you more information.
CHARTER UPDATE-CUSTOMER FOCUS GROUP
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend the
Customer Focus Group on the Charter on 26 November 2014. You
told us that you:
• Like the local office and local services.
• Like reading the newsletter and want to receive performance information in the newsletter.
• Would like to receive clear and precise information on performance .
• Had some concerns at the costs of the performance report we provided.
You also wanted to know more about cold callers and parked cars at Garrowhill station and we
will be providing more information on these topics.
RIGHT TO BUY
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 has introduced
the end of the Right to Buy for tenants in Scotland.
The Right to Buy will be abolished from 1st August
2016.
If you have any queries in relation to the Right to
Buy please contact Lyndsay at the office.
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 8
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
On behalf of the Management Committee
and staff of Gardeen Housing Association,
we would like to wish everyone a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We no longer issue Christmas Cards but
instead we make a donation to Yorkhill
Children’s Hospital and Cash for Kids. We
are sure that you will agree that these two
charities will make good use of the donation.
CASH FOR KIDS
We are delighted to note that
Gardeen Housing Association
has been successful in
securing a grant from Cash
for Kids that will help 182
Gardeen children receive an
extra gift from Santa!
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 9
SILVER LINE SCOTLAND
Silver Line Scotland is a free, national helpline
providing information, friendship and advice to
older people, 24 hours a day, every day of the
year.
The service is delivered in partnership by Age
Scotland and The Silver Line Helpline. Our aim is
to assist older people to be happy and healthy,
supporting them to live independently at home
for as long as possible, and helping to overcome
the barriers of isolation and loneliness.
This partnership means that, via just one phone
number – 0800 4 70 80 90 – older people
across Scotland can access both Age Scotland’s
independent, confidential advice services along with the 24/7 befriending services of The Silver
Line.
From 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, anyone calling 0800 4 70 80 90 from a Scottish landline
will come through to Age Scotland’s Information and Advice team. Our paid staff and volunteers
specialise in answering enquiries from older people, their carers and families. Whether your
question is about community care, tax, pensions, benefits or any other issue, they will find an
answer. They are also there for callers looking for a chat – this could be about what you’ve been
doing, what’s important to you or even just what you’ve been watching on the television.
Freephone: 0800 4 70 80 90
Textphone: 0845 226 5851 (Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm)
Free or local rate call from Mobile: 0300 4 70 80 90
LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE FROM GARDEEN HA OFFICE
PENSIONERS RAFFLE
MAGNIFICENT 7!
We are pleased to announce
that the annual pensioners
raffle was held in December
2014 and 7 lucky pensioners
received £50.
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 10
TRADE SCHOOL GLASGOW
Trade School Glasgow was established by the Social Care
Ideas Factory. Trade School Glasgow is an alternative learning
space which runs on barter. Their classes are all different.
Some classes are about practical skills from the 'school of Life'
while others are about stuff like health & social care, personal
development and community building. All classes are FREE,
the deal is that people offer to 'pay' for each class with a
barter item (like teabags, biscuits, enthusiasm, paper or time)
as requested by the teacher.
This term the free classes are running locally at the:
East End Campus, Glasgow Kelvin College, Room MG20,
2 Haghill Road, Glasgow, G31 3SR GB
You can find the timetable of classes here:
http://tradeschool.coop/glasgow/
To enrol in a class please simply click the class on the
website and follow the instructions.
STAFF NEWS
Sharon Brooks, Property Services Assistant has
taken up a new post with North Glasgow Housing
Association.
We all wish Sharon well in her new job.
We have recruited a full time property services
assistant and Clare Gallagher will take up her post
on 1st January 2015
Contact Clare if you would like to discuss any issue
regarding your tenancy or application.
GARDEEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD
WINTER 2014 | PAGE 11
WINNER OF THE PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER:
NATALIE DRYSDALE AGE 10.
QUIZ CORNER
FOR ALL AGE GROUPS
Answer the following questions
1. Which animal pulls Santa 6. Which country donates
Can you find the words in the
grid below?
sleigh?
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FOR ALL AGE GROUPS UP TO 18 YEARS OF AGE
GOOD LUCK!
For your chance to win, just complete the above word search and answer the questions. Fill in your
name, date of birth, address, and telephone number below. Cut out and return the completed form to
the Association’s Office by Thursday 15th January 2015. The winner will be the first correct entry, drawn
out of the hat and will receive £10. All parts must be completed for a chance to win. If not won the prize
money will roll over to next newsletter quiz.
Name:_____________________________________ D.O.B:_____________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________________________________
Tel No:_______________________________________________________________________________
Gardeen Housing Association Limited
32 Garlieston Road, Barlanark, G33 4UD
Tel: 0141 771 9590
Email: info@gardeen.org.uk
Website: www.scottishhousingconnections.org/shcc
Open Weekdays 9:30am - 4:30pm
(Closed for lunch 12:30pm - 1:30pm, and for training
throughout Thursday morning)
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