Over a period of real challenge, the Scottish housing sector has continued to provide vital services and support to communities. The Scotland Housing Awards represents an opportunity to recognise, showcase, celebrate and share this incredible and inspirational work.
We have been shortlisted as nominees in the following categories:
Working in Partnership:
Partnership/Gretna FC 2008 Project: Partner organisation: Raydale Community Partnership
How We Achieved Our Working In Partnership Nomination
Over the last 24 months we’ve helped Raydale Community Partnership (RCP) in Gretna with business planning and several major funding bids to secure in excess of £500,000 to help secure a new 11-a-side astroturf pitch, community gym, fitness room and changing facilities at Raydale Park in Gretna.
Working together our aim is to create the Raydale Community Sports Hub and improve access to sport and leisure facilities for local children and adults who currently travel significant distances, including into England, to access sporting facilities. We also sourced several large portacabins from one of our housing development sites in Lockerbie and committed £16,000 to relocate these cabins to Gretna in early 2020, creating 3250 sq ft space for the changing rooms, community gym and large multi-purpose fitness space. The project is now on site, with the 3g facility due for completion in August / September 2021
Excellence in Tenant Scrutiny:
Cunninghame Housing Association: Cunninghame Scrutiny Group
How We Achieved Our Excellence In Tenant Scrutiny Nomination
During the course of the year the department consulted widely on the annual rent increase proposals. This included individual newsletters to all tenants, personal telephone contact where requested and a meeting of all of the Association’s Tenants Organisations. Our Cunninghame Scrutiny Group carried out a detailed examination of our Neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour policy and procedures and made recommendations on improvements. They were also involved in the design of our customer satisfaction survey as well as developing an action plan from the results. They have a developed a programme of scrutiny exercises which will assist in ensuring our services are performing well from a tenant’s perspective.
During the year we also implemented phase 3 of our rent restructure which incorporated the results of a wide ranging consultation exercise involving all tenants and tenant’s groups. The new structure will be implemented over a 7 year period to limit the impact of any changes. Once complete the rent structure will provide a fairer and more easily understood approach to rents and the proposed timetable will ensure those tenants affected by increases have the best possible advice and assistance provided to allow them to manage the change.
Excellence in Regeneration:
Cunninghame Housing Association: Lockerbie Academy and Old School Regeneration Project
How We Achieved The Excellence In Regeneration Nomination
Part of our Dumfries & Galloway Regeneration projects see’s The Association providing project management support to the Lockerbie Old School SCIO to develop proposals and secure funding to refurbish the former Dryfesdale Public Old School building. Erected in 1875 it has been at the heart of the local community for over 140 years and in 1988, during the Lockerbie Disaster, the school building was home to the investigation HQ.
The Group acquired the building via an asset transfer from Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2020. Working in partnership with the Old School Committee and Dumfries and Galloway Council the aim is to create a new Community Wellbeing Centre which will provide exciting new meeting, cultural, training and business space within Lockerbie Town Centre.
As part of the development the Association is also developing proposals for a number of residential units for residents with additional support needs which would also be located on the site. We are working together to raise a funding package of more than £4m from a range of public and Trust funders for the new Centre, with the aim that the project could go on site in 2022.
The award winners will be announced on the 25th November 2021 at the event, which will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Glasgow.
“CHA has transformed a previously derelict housing site into a stylish, modern housing development warmly welcomed by the community. The Lockerbie Old School Committee are excited to be partnering with CHA on our project. Their expertise, community focus and dedication to create positive change are second to none”.
GILLIAN MOFFAT, Lockerbie Old School Secretary, LOS
“Building new homes , regenerating communities and helping to build new futures for people and communities. Thats what CHA is all about. We are more than just a landlord making its communities better places.”
FRANK SWEENEY, Group Chief Exec, Cunninghame Housing Association
“I am surprised and delighted our Scrutiny Group has made the shortlist for the 2021 CIH Scotland Housing Awards. We also made the shortlist in 2019, but it would be amazing if we were to win this year. It would be a fantastic recognition for all the time and work our group members contribute working with Cunninghame to help improve its services to our tenants”
CHRISTINE MARSHALL, Cunninghame Scrutiny Group Member