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Pentland Housing Association Newsletter
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Homes for Scotland�s Communities The consultation period on the Scottish Executive�s proposals for a Single Tenancy ends on 29 September 2000. To help Pentland Housing put together our response, we held a consultation meeting for tenants on 22 August 2000. Although only 16 tenants attended, it was helpful to receive feedback on the various proposals, including the Right to Buy. The general feeling of those present was that the unrestricted sale of our houses at a discount would reduce the amount of affordable rented housing available for future generations. A leaflet detailing what is contained in the proposals was handed out at the meeting, and a copy is enclosed with this Newsletter. We will keep you informed of progress in future issues of the Newsletter. |
Wick Build & Train Opening Ceremony On Friday, 22 September 2000 Pentland Housing Association and invited guests celebrated the official opening of our first development in Wick. Councillor
Gary Coutts, formally carried out the ceremony presenting the tenants of
the Miller/Burn Street scheme with 2 garden benches purchased from Wm
Souter Ltd, Rotterdam Street, Thurso.
Councillor Deirdre Steven was happy to hand over certificates to
Donald Swanson, Jamie Mackay, Allan Miller and Donald Mackay who
successfully completed training while working with M M Miller
the development contractors and Pentarq the development
architects. Gary MacGregor
and David Torrance were unable to attend, but will also receive
their certificates. |
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Housing in Thurso Two new developments in Thurso have started within a month of each other, both to help house single people and childless couples of all ages. Works to the mix of new build and rehabilitation in Swanson Street and Bank Place began on 21 August 2000, where the old Co-op building has been demolished and the derelict houses will be converted to form a total of 8 two bedroom flats in the town centre. At Ormlie Farm, the Design, Build and Train contract will provide two unemployed people from the Ormlie Social Inclusion Partnership area with experience in the construction industry. This new build scheme will provide 12 two bedroom flats, and began on 11 September 2000.
All the flats are built to the new �housing for varying needs� standards, so are suitable for people with mobility problems. If you want to be considered, please contact the Lettings Officer, Carol Treasurer early next year. |
RURAL HOME OWNERSHIP GRANTS HELP TO BECOME A HOME OWNER IN RURAL AREAS Some parts of rural Scotland have few if any opportunities for local people to buy their own homes, and as people continue to drift from rural communities these areas become less able to support basic services. Rural Home Ownership Grants aim to help sustain rural communities by making it easier for local people in employment on low or modest incomes to own their own home. The grant will be targeted primarily at first time buyers and people living in Housing Association or Local Authority rented accommodation. The grant is means tested, taking your income and savings into account, and will be the minimum necessary to enable a house to be built, improved or bought by you. It will not normally exceed 29% of the approved total costs. Pentland Housing has recently been as appointed agents to run the scheme in Caithness for Scottish Homes. If you think you may qualify and would like further information on Rural Home Ownership Grants please contact the Lettings Officer, Carol Treasurer.
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Satisfaction Survey of Reactive Repairs Maintenance Satisfaction slips for the 2nd quarter (July to September) 2000. One Hundred and Eighty Eight work orders were requested of which 38% returned their slips. Of those who responded the average workmanship appears to be the main concern and we will endeavour to improve this during our post inspections.
Care & Repair Caithness is a service provided by the Highland Council through its agent, Pentland Housing Associaton. It offers advice and support to people who are older or who have disabilities in order to maintain, improve or adapt their homes so that they can remain at home in comfort within their own community. Care & Repair Caithness is a free and confidential, client orientated service. Do you know anyone who may be eligible? Please contact the office for more details. |
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Schools Millennium Competition To mark the new millennium, Pentland Housing organised a competition for the local schools. The competition was split into 2 parts; Part 1 Naming the new development by Pentland Housing Association at Ormlie Farm and Part 2 Design a feature that they would like to see in a house of the 21st century. The winner of our competition to design a feature for a millennium home was Karen McColm and the winner of our competition to name our scheme was Aimee Lockwood. Thurso High School was delighted to accept an overall prize of �250.
Management
Committee Chairperson - Kenny Green Vice-Chairperson - Janice Gallacher Secretary - Jim MacKenzie Treasurer - Roberta Stevenson
Phill Anderson, Bob Bell, Jim Chalmers, Jim Hair, Brian Hutcheon, Bob Mackay, Len Mason, Anderson Murray, Lorna Pye & Mark Whale Information on how to join the Management Committee is available from Caroline Wordie.
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Names and Numbers Andi
Wakeman Elaine
Gunn Corrine
Mackay Kevin
Tait Donnett
Calder Tel: (01847) 892507 Fax: (01847) 893221 E:mail:- [email protected] / [email protected] Emergency
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