Thenew Newsletter Autumn 2010

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Thenew Housing Association Newsletter Autumn 20102

Contact UsCalton Area Offi ce & Registered Offi ce83 Green Street, Calton, Glasgow,G40 2TG Tel: 0141 550 3581 - telephoneenquiries from 9.00am - 5.00pmOpening Hours:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from9.00am - 4.30pmWednesday from 9.00am - 12.30pm

Bridgeton & Dalmarnock Area Offi ce2 Main Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow,G40 1HA Tel: 0141 554 5245Opening Hours:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from9.00am - 4.30pmWednesday from 9.00am - 12.30pm

Cranhill Area Offi ce14 Ruchazie Place, Cranhill, Glasgow,G33 3HA Tel: 0141 774 3030 - available from 9.30am - 4.30pmOpening Hours:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from9.30am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4.30pmWednesday from 9.30am - 12.30pm

Castlemilk Area Offi ce49 Blaeloch Drive, Castlemilk, Glasgow,G45 9QJ Tel: 0141 634 7000Opening Hours:Monday-Friday from 9.30am - 12.30pm

In this issue Our new look newsletterWelcome to our new look newsletter. We asked people in our customer satisfaction survey what they thought of the newsletter and although most read it, many felt the content wasn’t that relevant to them.

This newsletter looks a bit different to previous editions and we have tried to get a better mix of articles about what’s happening in Thenew and in your local area.

It has a glossier fi nish which actually costs us less to produce than previous editions, as well as using environmentally friendly paper. We will continue to make improvements over the coming editions and would be interested to hear what you think.

If you have any comments or any ideas of articles we could feature in future editions, please contact Alison Kevan on 0141 550 7224 or email [email protected].

Contents & Contacts

Cover Story: Financial Inclusion UpdateNews on Thenew’s success at netting tenants astaggering £149,000 in benefi ts

Page 4: Anti-Social Behaviour UpdateAn update on how we are dealing with issues surrounding anti-social behaviour in our areas

Pages 6-7: Garden Competition UpdatePrizewinners and photos from this year’s garden competitions

Pages 8-9: Gala Days UpdateA look back at all the fun from this year’s Gala Days

Pages 10-11: Supported Accommodation UpdateNews from our Housing Needs & Supported Accommodation team

Pages 12-16: Around Our AreasNews and information from all our areas

Page 17: Your News, Your ViewsYour chance to write to us about just about anything!

Pages 18-19: Development & Technical UpdateNews and information from the Development & Technical Services team

Page 22: Hot off the PressAn update on Thenew stories that have appearedin the local papers

Back Page: Money MattersFinancial information from our Financial Inclusion team

Page 5: New Thenew Offi ceAn update on the move to our new offi ce

Page 23: Doorstep Electricity ScamInformation from Energy Action Scotland on latestelectricity top-up scam ... BE WARNED

Pages 20: Other Thenew NewsNews from our AGM and some gas safety check information

Pages 21: Spotlight on ......Mrs Grace Donald, Bridgeton tenant and East End Senior Community Champion Winner


Complaints & Service StandardsWe value your comments and complaints - we can only improve our service if we know when things have gone wrong or when you’re not happy wth the way we handled an issue. The Service Standards leaflet included within this newsletter tells you about the standards of service you can expect from us. In the next month we will begin a telephone survey, carried out on our behalf by Research Resource, to assess whether or not we are meeting some of these standards. If you are telephoned by a researcher, we would appreciate you taking the time to answer their questions. You will be entered into a prize draw for a £50 shopping voucher.

THENEW NETS TENANTS £149,000Thenew has delivered a bumper benefits boost to some of our tenants by helping them to claim benefits to which they are entitlted of £149,000.

A total of 111 people were helped through our Financial Inclusion Service which was set up to make sure our tenants were getting what they are owed and the figures showed that many tenants had not been claiming a range of benefits from the State. In many cases individuals did not know that they were entitled to such benefits as Carers’ Allowance, Housing Benefit and Disability Living Allowance.

The money obtained in benefits works out, on average, at an astonishing £1340 for each of the 111 people helped.

Our Chief Executive, Charlie Turner, said: “These remarkable figures show that a significant number of our tenants have not been claiming a range of benefits to which they are entitled.

Our Financial Inclusion Service was set up to help people make such claims and we are delighted with the amount of money we have been able to claim back for them.

There is very clear evidence that people will not make claims for benefits due to the perception that the process is complex and that requests will be unsuccessful. These figures prove that in many cases the claims can be successful.

Our role is to ensure people have good homes but we do much more than that. Our Financial Inclusion Service shows that we are actively helping communities and the people who live there.”

Top of the list for claims by Thenew tenants was Housing Benefit which netted £52,192 and a further £16,685 in backdated claims.

Successful Income Support claims provided tenants with £13,800 with another £2,377 in backdated money.

Disability Living Allowance claims provided £16,437 with another £3,930 backdated. Council Tax benefit amounted to £9,256 with a further £3,420 in backdated claims.

We are continuing to encourage tenants to make use of our Financial Inclusion Service.

If you would like to get some advice, just call 0141 550 5944 and a member of our Financial Inclusion Team will be happy to assist you.

Financial Inclusion Team (from left to right):Susan Craig, Willie Sinclair, Lorraine Morgan and Ashley Frame

Cover Story


Thenew Successfully Tacklethe Drug Dealers

In the last few months we have had three cases in the Sheriff Court (two in Calton and one in Cranhill) where we have asked the Court to end Thenew tenancies where the tenant, or a member of their household, has been convicted of drug dealing.

We are pleased to announce that we have been successful with two of the cases (the Sheriff agreed to end their tenancies). The third has been postponed several times by the Court but is due to call again in the coming months.

This result sends out a strong message to the drug dealers in our communities, that with the help of the Police and Glasgow Community Safety Services, Thenew will not tolerate drug dealing from our properties.

In all three cases, local residents gave information confidentially to the Police which helped lead to drug raids. It is very important to note however, that no local resident has or will have to appear in Court to help obtain convictions for dealing or for the decrees for eviction. Reporting the drug dealers does work.

Anti-Social Behaviour Update

Anti-Social Behaviour PolicyWe are currently reviewing our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy. This policy outlines the roles and responsibilities of each tenant in being a good neighbour to others and not causing nuisance or anti-social behaviour.

It also outlines what we can do to assist when issues arise and the actions we can take to prevent and deal with neighbour nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

It also outlines our partnership working with other agencies, particularly Glasgow Community Safety Services.

If you would like further information on this policy, or would like to give us your views, please contact Sheena Fergusson on 0141 550 7214 or email [email protected]


New Office

As you can see, we are currently on site building a new office on London Road (opposite Templeton’s Business Centre) which is expected to be completed in 2011.

We currently have three area offices in Bridgeton, Castlemilk and Cranhill.

We plan to close the Bridgeton & Green Street offices when the new office on London Road is ready and are currently reviewing whether we should change the use of the Castlemilk and Cranhill offices. We have no plans to close our Sheltered Housing Office at Tureen Street.

Bridgeton Office - 2 Main StreetWhen we acquired stock from Bridgeton & Dalmarnock HA in 2001 we also acquired a ten year lease of an office at 2 Main Street, Bridgeton. This office is just five minutes from our new office and the lease on it is due to expire in 2011.

Clearly, it doesn’t make sense to continue with this arrangement when we are building a new office that will accommodate all our staff currently based in Bridgeton, less than five minutes along London Road.

When our new office is completed therefore, we will close the office at 2 Main Street, Bridgeton but we are considering opening a smaller office at 97 Main Street where you will be able to see your local area Housing Officer at particular times during the week.

Architect’s impression of new office/housing project on London Road

Work on our new office premiseson London Road progresses


Our annual garden competitions have taken place this summer throughout our areas, and as you can see from the photos, a lot of effort has been put in by many tenants on keeping their gardens looking good.

Many congratulations to all our winners, detailed below and on next page:

Garden Competition Update

CALTONHouse Garden

1st prize: Miss Defelice. 225 Millroad Drive2nd prize: Mr Calderwood, 5 Chalmers Street

Communal1st prize: Mrs Gregg, 20 Abercromby Square

2nd prize: Mr McCallister,5A Millroad Street, 3/2

Tenements1st prize: 154 Tobago Street2nd prize: 11 Tobago Street

BRIDGETON1st prize: Mr Graham, 48 Mill Street

2nd prize: Mr & Mrs Atley, 46 Mill Street

3rd prize: Mrs L Chappell, 139 Greenhead Street, 0/2

DALMARNOCK1st prize: Miss S Brown, 88 Kinnear

Road2nd prize: Mr & Mrs Faulds, 353

Baltic Street3rd prize: Mrs H Poole. 28 Gear

Terrace


Garden Competition Update

CRANHILLBest Garden - Flat: Joe Brown, Bell-

rock StreetBest Garden - House: Margaret Wal-

lace, Bellrock Street

CASTLEMILKBest Garden - Main Door Flat: Mr P

O’Hare,1 Holmbyre Court (won for the second

year running)Best Garden - Flat: Mrs F Patton, 39

Blaeloch Drive, 0/1

MY GARDEN

My garden isin full bloom

with a vast arrayof colours and

a wonderful perfume!

It is such a great delightto look out of mywindow at night

and to see my gardenall lit up

by solar light!

Now everyone can shareat the beauty of my garden

where the seeds were plantedwith such loving care

No-one could competewhen I won a prizefor the best garden

in my street!

Fiona Patton

BLACKHILLBest Garden - Flat: Esther Cairney,

Queenslie StreetBest Garden - House (joint winners):

Catherine Stewart, Hogganfi eld Street & Brian McLean, Molendinar

Close


Throughout the summer months, gala days were organised in all our areas. These events are organised by local people who put in a lot of hard work to make the events such a success. Thenew staff also attend these events.

The photos here show that great fun was had by all!

Gala Days Update


Gala Days Update


Supported Accommodation

Housing Support ServiceCommunity Alarm Replacement Since June, we have been consulting with the Sheltered Housing Focus Group regarding options for a new community alarm system. Several meetings have taken place as well as a visit to Cordia’s Training Centre in Springburn to see a flat with equipment installed. The Group has been looking at two different systems – a hardwired one (similar to existing) and a dispersed one (which is a wireless system). We are hoping to be in a position to make a decision on it in the near future and then to put the work out to tender. When a supplier has been identified, we will agree the proposed programme and contact all sheltered housing tenants.

More information on this will be provided in the Supported Housing News Sheet which is issued quarterly to all tenants living in our sheltered houses.

Aberlour Child Care Project – Liaison GroupAre you a local resident in Calton and interested in being involved in a Liaison Group?

This project, part of the buildings currently being developed on London Road, will see us providing 12 flats with staff and office accommodation for Aberlour Child Care Trust. The project which will be staffed 24 hours a day, is expected to be completed by late 2011 and a Liaison Group is being established while the building is being developed and on an ongoing basis after the project is up and running.

If you are interested, contact Paola Doyle on 550 7207.

Crossreach -New Projects Crossreach is one of the Association’s care and support partners who have recently contacted us regarding providing management and maintenance services to a new service in the south side of Glasgow. The projects will provide housing for twelve individuals with learning disabilities within their own community. We are delighted to be developing our partnership with Crossreach.

Sheltered Housing Social Activities Calton Sheltered Tenants enjoyed a fantastic bus run to Ayr on 11 August. It was a fun filled day with food and entertainment aplenty!

The next planned event is a theatre trip to the Pavilion in the Autumn. The lunch club in Bridgeton has moved to the Housing Support Office at 19 Mackeith St, 0/2. It is held every Wednesday at 11.45am - if you wish more information on this, contact Dot or Violet on 554 4032.

We have recently held two coffee mornings in Bridgeton and are planning other activities including the Christmas event – more information will be provided in the Housing Support News Sheet.


Supported Accommodation

MONTEITH HOTEL TO GET ANEW LEASE OF LIFE

Big plans lie ahead for the Monteith Hotel, which has been home to a number of single men over the last six decades.

Thenew bought the property in 2007 and our plan is to build new accommodation close by for the men occupying the current property.

Our Chief Executive, Charlie Turner said: “The Monteith Hotel is undoubtedly a well known east end building and it remains a historic landmark in one of the city’s best known locations. Our plans to build new accommodation will offer modern, comfortable accommodation ideally suited to the needs of those who will be living there.”

The existing building will be converted into flats which will be let to people from Thenew’s waiting lists.

We do not have a start date for the new building but, in the meantime, Gowrie Care have been commissioned by Glasgow City Council to provide the support service which will be person-centred and reflect individual needs of the current residents.

We are hoping shortly to enter into an agreement with Gowrie Care to run the existing building on a day to day basis and to manage the transition process to the new building when it is ready.

From old to new ..... the existing Monteith Hotel (inset)and the proposed new Monteith House


Bridgeton Cross Gets A MakeoverGlasgow’s Lord Provost, Bob Winter, paid a visit to Bridgeton Cross in late August as its million poundmakeover neared completion.

The Lord Provost took a tour of the area, taking in the newly restored Bridgeton Umbrella and a new Robert Burns Memorial in recognition of Bridgeton Burns Club, which dates back to 1870.

A permanent tribute was also erected to three locally born servicemen who were awarded the Victoria Cross for valour in the Crimean War and World War I. They are: Major John Simpson Knox (Crimean War), Piper James Clelland Richardson and Private Henry May (both WWI).

To mark this milestone in the transformation of this area of the East End, the Lord Provost cut the ribbon to signify the full restoration of the Bridgeton Umbrella, the focal point of these works.

The Bridgeton Bell was simultaneously rung for the first time in many years to mark the occasion. The bell was discovered during the restoration works and there are now plans to consult with locals on the possibility of bringing it back into use.

The Lord Provost was accompanied on his visit by local Councillor George Redmond who also serves on the Board of Clyde Gateway. They were shown around the development by Ian Manson, Clyde Gateway’s Chief Executive and Audrey Carlin, the Project Manager for the works.

The Lord Provost also met with members of Bridgeton Community Steering Group, comprised of local residents and shopkeepers, for whom he hosted a civic reception later that day.The Lord Provost said: “Bridgeton Cross has been transformed beyond recognition. I know everyone is delighted with the results and there is real excitement now that the facelift on Bridgeton Station has been brought forward to complement the marvellous improvements that have been carried out with such care after extensive community consultation.”

Councillor George Redmond, the local member for the area and Board Member of Clyde Gateway added: “This is a very proud and historic day for the community of Bridgeton. This level of investment by Clyde Gateway in Bridgeton Cross reflects just how serious the organisation is about transforming how the area looks and how it is perceived by those who perhaps don’t know it as well as local people.

“The Umbrella really looks quite stunning and no-one can argue that it, in its restored state, is one of the most impressive and unique structures in the whole of Glasgow, but it’s also the fact that the other improvements such as the new paving, the seating, trees, the bus shelters and the improved lighting make the new-look Bridgeton Cross very pleasing to the eye. I’m really pleased that the efforts everyone has put in over the past 18 months have been recognised by the Lord Provost.”

Around Our Areas


Around Our Areas

PEEK CELEBRATIONSPossibilities East End Kids (PEEK)’s 10th anniversary will take place in October. To celebrate, we are inviting past and present friends of the organisation to an event being held on Friday 15th October in Gallowgate Parish Church. Celebrations will start at 12 noon and will include a variety of free activities and entertainment including arts, games, sports, a balloon launch and the cutting of our birthday cake. If you are a former participant, volunteer, staff member, partner or friend of PEEK, we are particularly interested in hearing from you. Melodie Crumlin, Project Manager, said: “This year is our 10th Anniversary and a time for remembering and celebrating everything we have achieved over the past 10 years, and everyone we have worked with along the way. So, if you have ever attended, volunteered or worked at PEEK we want to hear from you! Please get in touch with stories, memories or just to say hello!”

For further information on PEEK’s 10th Anniversary celebrations, or to tell us your memories and stories about PEEK, please telephone 0141 552 5757 or email [email protected].

Calton Area Association : Annual General Meeting

Calton Area Association held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 19th August 2010.

Chairperson, Betty Cosgrove, thanked the Committee for their hard work during the year which was recognised by the Community Champion Runners-Up Award they received in June.

Members were updated on the progress that’s been made on many areas of the Area Action Plan such as the changes to Elcho Gardens and traffic calming. Also, at last, the Community Flat at Stevenson Street should be up and running before the year ends.

The members also approved an amendment to the Constitution which will allow the Association to register as an official charity.

Every member who attended was given a raffle ticket and two lucky members were delighted to receive their prize for having the winning tickets.

As a final message, Committee would welcome some volunteers who can help in any way with their plans to improve the Calton area. You wouldn’t need to join the Committee, just see any of the Committee members who would be happy to tell you more.

The current Committee is as follows:

Mary Campbell (Secretary), Betty Cosgrove (Chair),Cathie Martin (Treasurer), Mary McPherson (Vice Chair),Kitty Chalmers, Helen Mullen, George Mulligan, Derek

Quinn, Betty Spence and Ann Sharp


Around Our Areas

Do you ever wonder what the area you are living in was like many years ago, when you, your parents or grandparents were growing up?

Areas change in physical appearance over the years, and it is often hard to remember what it was like before.

That’s certainly how Douglas McCreath felt when he came back to Cranhill after many years away. An ex-Cranhill resident who had also spent time teaching at Cranhill Secondary School, he was amazed at the transformation of the area he called “home” many years before. Douglas said: “As the area had changed so much, I wanted to share the story of Cranhill over the years. For instance, did people know that the Cranhill streets are named after lighthouses?”

A newspaper appeal to residents past and present produced such a great response that a website has been created (www.cranhillmatters.org). Residents and former residents worldwide can see pictures of Cranhill old and new, and submit their own photos and/or stories.

Cranhill’s history was also the focus for recent work done by the “Out of the Box” group. This is an innovative community development project formed from a partnership between Cranhill Parish Church and the Cranhill Community Project .It uses visual arts for self expression and personal development.

The group - led by community artist, Allan Greenhill - put together an exhibition called “Auld Cranhill” in which the scheme was represented in drawings, paintings, clay models and a large wall

frieze. Clay wall plaques were displayed alongside relevant experiences and stories of Cranhill and its people. The successful exhibition was on display in The Bridge, Easterhouse recently and it is hoped that it will soon be displayed at The Beacon, Cranhill. A number of Cranhill residents, including Angela Bridger and Helen McGarvie were Involved.

“Out of the Box” also ran a film group. As part of this group, Angela, Helen and Douglas produced a short video entitled “The Streets of Cranhill” - a link to this video can be found on the Cranhill Matters website.

Another video, a spoof horror fi lm, was produced by a team led by Denis Clark. This starred Angela Cunningham, Brian Gear and Helen McGarvie, all local residents. It can be found on YouTube - Crannie Soulreapers.


Around Our Areas

DATE FOR YOUR DIARYBridgeton & Calton Information Days

Live in the Bridgeton or Calton area? Would you like to hear about the services & plans for your area from Thenew and other local agencies?

We will be holding information days in the following locations and you can drop in at any time:

Thenew HA, Green Street 26th October 3-6pmBridgeton Community Learning Campus 2nd November 2-5pm We will have information on major improvement works planned for properties in your area, any new build proposals including our new offices at Green Street/London Rd and also community regeneration activities planned for your area. Our Financial Inclusion team will also be on handto answer any queries you have about benefits or other money advice.

Keep a look out for posters in our offices, libraries and local shops giving more information.

We look forward to seeing you then.

Molendinar ParkOn Site and on Track

Locals are eagerly awaiting the opening of the new Molendinar Park. The JCBs are on site transforming the derelict land behind Molendinar Community Centre into a multi purpose park for Blackhill, Provanmill and the surrounding areas. It will be linked to the community centre by a landscaped path and a new stairway. The Steering Group responsible for making this happen are planning a grand opening on Saturday 16th October 2010 - the Community Centre will also be open between 12-4 that day to support the event.

“I’m really excited and can’t wait to see it finish. This ground has lay derelict for 18 years” commented Group Secretary, Jean McLean. “Another group tried to get something done but were getting nowhere” she continued. In a phenomenal effort, the Steering Group raised the funds to create the park with all the sports features in one year.

“We’ve asked Billy Connolly to come along and open the park that day but he’s not replied yet” said Margaret McQuade, Chair of the group. It promises to be a great facility and a great opening day so get the date in your diary and come along and show your support.

Community Police SurgeryKaren Blyth, local Community Police Officer for Blackhill, will be holding two police surgeries, dates to be confirmed. This will give residents the chance to meet their Community Police Officer and discuss any matter, from local concerns to individual queries. The surgeries will take place in Molendinar Community Centre. Check out the notice board in the Community Centre mid-October 2010 for the exact dates.

The Steering Group join other community memberson the new site


Castlemilk Footie SuccessWinners of the recent Under 15 section of the Glasgow Life South East Area Services Communities Tournament were Team Byre from Holmbyre.

The boys (pictured left) - Justin Geraghty, Craig McCuster, Ross Wilson, Anthony Dawson and Anthony Anglim - took part in the Final tournament held in Toryglen Regional Football Centre where 16 teams played from Castlemilk, Croftfoot, Cathcart, Pollokshields, Govanhill, Gorbals and Toryglen.

Castlemilk success did not stop there .... the winners of the Open Section (under 19s) were Tay Tornados from Ballantay.

Our congratulations to all the boys on their achievements.

Team Byre proudly show their trophy and awards followingtheir football success

Around Our Areas

Review of TenantParticipation PolicyWe are in the process of reviewing our tenant participation strategy which details how we will inform, consult with and involve our tenants and other customers in Thenew’s decision making processes. We want to involve tenants in reviewing this policy and have already talked to residents groups and held a well attended focus group.

If you would like to give your comments on the policy or tell us what you think of how we currently involve our customers in our work please contact Alison Kevan on 0141 550 7224 or email [email protected].

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Letters Page

You can contact Thenew in any of the following ways:by Post to: Thenew Housing Association Ltd, 83 Green Street, Glasgow, G40 2TG

by Telephone: 0141 550 3581 or by email to: [email protected] reserves the right to edit any correspondence where necessary

MEMORIES FROM 1941:LAND MINE DROPS ON ALLAN STREET 14TH MARCH 1941

I remember that as soon as the sirens sounded, my mother & I used to make our way from our top fl oor fl at in 62 Ardenlea Street to join most of our neighbours in Mr & Mrs Bain’s ground fl oor fl at. My mother was always careful to take her little case with insurance policies and other important documents with her. We would drink tea and chat until the all clear sounded.

The night the land mine which was meant for Dalmarnock Power Station landed on the tenement at 5 Allan Street started off in this way. Suddenly there was a terrifi c crash, the lights went out and a blast of wind came down the chimney blowing the coal fi re out. There was a mad scramble as everyone made for the door and ran to the brick shelters across the road. We could hear aircraft droning overhead but couldn’t tell if they were British or German.

My father, who had been fi re watching with a neighbour, came to see if we were all right and told us they had been blown off their feet by the blast. When the all clear sounded we went to visit my elderly grandmother who was too old to get to the shelters. As we walked along the street I remember the glass, blown out from the windows, crunching under our feet. My aunt opened the door and burst into tears – we were covered in soot from the chimney.Mr O Stewart

Mr Stewart has carried out further research and has discovered that the casualties from the blast were reported at the time as being : 3 killed, 45 serious casualties, 50 minor casualties & 4 closes demolished. We would be very interested to hear if anyone else has memories of this incident.

Do you have any news you think we should know about, or any views you would like to share with us? if so, we’d love to hear from you.

MEMORIAL GARDEN

I live near your London Road/Tobago Street site and notice that the Memorial Garden has been removed. What is happening to it?Anon

A number of you have asked what the memorial garden is and what has happened to it.

The memorial garden commemorates those who lost their lives in the “Fall of Templeton’s New Mill”, which was located on what is now the Templeton’s Business Park. In 1889 gale force winds brought down the wall of the large four-storey building being built as an addition to the carpet factory

of James Templeton. It crashed through the roof of the adjoining weaving shed where about 140 female workers were working. Twenty nine of them were killed.

A commemorative plaque was erected in the garden in 1954 which reads.

Green buds, for the hope of tomorrowFair fl owers, for the joy of today

Sweet memory, the fragrance they leave usAs time gently fl ows on its way

We have removed the plaque for safe keeping while we develop the site. Once the offi ce is built it will form part of the entrance area for our new offi ce and will remain on the Calton Heritage Trail.


SITE STARTS ON £15 MILLION PROJECTSWork starts on two developments for Thenew.

DUNN STREET/MAIN STREET, BRIDGETONPlanning Application has been submitted for this development which consists of 34 units, a mix of family housing and fl ats.

Development & Technical Update

The £5 million project at Westlands Drive will provide a new 17 bedspace supported housing project for Crossreach and 13 general needs fl ats, incorporating two fl ats for wheelchair users.

The £10 million project at Green Street will provide 20 fl ats for rent, 12 fl ats for the Aberlour Child Care Trust, new offi ces for Thenew and a new layout for the Memorial Garden. Work on the 17 family houses will begin once the fi nal pieces of ground are acquired from Glasgow City Council and the Church of Scotland.

Charlie Turner and Yvonne McShea overlookthe Westlands Drive site

Thenew staff, consultants and contractors join local Councillorsin cutting the fi rst turf at Green Street project

Proposed new housing developmentfor Bridgeton


Heating RenewalThe heating renewal programme for 2000-11 was completed in June. This £300,000 programme included the installation of gas to 100 all electric homes which will benefi t from modern and effi cient heating this winter.

Good NewsKitchen/Bathroom Renewal

We have earmarked some £2m to renew all the kitchens and bathrooms in 256 properties in the 1930s tenements in Calton and 19 in traditional tenemental properties. We are also supplying integrated hobs & ovens.

Those affected have already been written to. This project will go on site late in 2010 and run through until 2011.

Development & Technical Update

Window RenewalSeptember saw the completion of the second phase of our window renewal contract. Since November 2009 the Association has spent some £2m on renewing the windows in some 746 properties.

Apollo’s latest apprentice, Callum McLaughlin (centre), with Regional Director Eamonn McGarvey (left) and Divisional Director Brian Morrow (right)

Mrs Robertson is delighted with the new heating at her home in Old Dalmarnock Road

Properties affected:

Abercromby Street Nos 227, 376, 388 Crownpoint Road No 10Green Street Nos 1, 2, 9, 10, 19, 20, 27, 30, 37, 40, 47 London Road Nos 499, 505Millroad Street Nos 31, 41, 51, 120, 130, 150, 160, 170, 190, 200, 210, 220Moncur Street Nos 225, 235, 236 Stevenson Street Nos 201, 211, 221, 231 Tobago Place Nos 10, 11, 20, 21, 30, 31, 40, 41 Tobago Street Nos 135, 144, 145, 154, 155, 174, 175, 184, 185, 194, 195


Other Thenew News

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At the end of our 30th year we have just had a very successful Annual General Meeting. The evening started with our Chairperson, Yvonne McShea, summarising the major achievements of the year; our Chief Executive highlighting the important things that are to happen over the coming year; we had a lively ‘question and answer’ session in the middle, and ended up

with Mrs Kirkland (pictured), winning the star raffle prize, which this year was a trip to the Pantomime to see the rip-roaring adventure story of Aladdin, featuring the Krankies at the Clyde Auditorium!

Seventeen places on the Management Committee were filled in the following way:-

Barry Dalgleish, one of our local residents from Calton, who has served on the Committee for the last three years stood down, and we would like to thank him for his contribution to the association over that time.


Spotlight on .....

Spotlight on .......

Let us introduce our fi rst ‘Spotlight on .....’ candidate - Grace Donald. At 86 years old, she has crammed a lot into her life and is a very active member of the Bridgeton community.

Along with her fi ve brothers and one sister, Grace was

brought up in a room and kitchen in Marquis Street, and has remained

in Bridgeton all her life. She can remember the good old days: “Dad worked hard making nuts and bolts. When he was going to work, he would fi ll the boiler, which was in the backcourt, and light it, for Mum to do her weekly wash. We had great fun when Mum changed the cover of the mattress. We all stood in a circle, holding each end, while the fl ock was put into the clean cover”.

Grace married her husband, Walter, in 1949 and has two sons, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Grace and Walter were lucky enough to have travelled far over the years, visiting many places such as Canada, USA and Kenya.

It is clear to those who know her that Grace is a very active person. Whilst working towards her Discovery Awards, she undertook a variety of tasks: visiting neighbours and friends from St Francis in the East Church, arts & crafts with John Street Secondary School, indoor and outdoor bowls and research and the production of “My Journey Through Life in Bridgeton” which allowed her to show off her artistic

abilities.

It is clear that Grace is thought of very highly within the Bridgeton community, and this was evident when she was nominated by Lesley Ward from Bridgeton Community Learning Campus for the Community Champion East End Senior Award - an award she was successful in winning.

Unable to attend the award ceremony due to a family bereavement, she was invited along to a celebratory afternoon tea in BCLC where a host of invited guests, including Thenew staff and local Councillors, were there to help her celebrate her award.

She was also invited to attend the Scottlsh Parliament where she met with Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon and was presented with an autographed book to remember her day.

The Glasgow-wide Community Champion Awards take place on 6th October, so it’s fi ngers crossed for Grace!

Despite the sad loss of her beloved husband, and her own ill health over the years, Grace continues to keep herself busy. As well as participating in Thenew groups, she plays carpet bowls at BCLC where she was successful in obtaining lottery funding for equipment for the group; she attends DIY classes where she has made many items such as tables, mirrors and a doll’s house .... now all she needs is a great-granddaughter to play with it! She also attends regular keep fi t classes and has recently begun knitting hats for children in Africa.

Grace has been a supporter of Clyde FC for over 70 years and has recently been given her very own box at the club in recognition of her dedication to the team over the years.

Lorraine Dallas, Thenew’s Bridgeton Team Leader, said: “Mrs Donald is well known, highly respected and very much admired by the area team. She always takes the time to get involved in community events, she participates in one of our local groups and also helped us out at our Lunch Club. We truly don’t know where she gets her energy from!”

“She is a testament to the fact that keeping yourself busy, caring about where you live and actively getting involved in the community keeps you young in heart, body and mind.”


Hot off the PressWe want others to know about the work we do and have enjoyed a high profile in the media. Here is what some of the articles have said about us.

“East Glasgow News”A city housing association has delivered a bumper benefits boost to some of its tenants. Thenew Housing Association has helped tenants claim benefits to which they are entitled.

“Evening Times”Housing chiefs in the east end found tenants were not claiming benefits to which they are entitled. Thenew Housing Association secured benefits for 111 tenants including housing benefit and disability living allowance.

“Evening Times”Housing bosses are to stump up more money for a window replacement scheme for tenants in the east end. An extra £556,000 is to be spent by Thenew which will see windows installed in properties.

“Glasgow East Outlook”Exciting new plans for housing in Calton have been unveiled by Alex Neil MSP.The ambitious £10 million development from Thenew reflects its strong commitment to building homes in the communities it serves.

“Housing Scotland Magazine” Tenants in five areas of Glasgow have voted to transfer ownership of their homes from the GHA to community based associations. In Holmbyre, 77.1% of tenants who voted supported the transfer of 119 homes in Castlemilk to Thenew.

“Evening Times”Top marks for landlord. Tenants have given a landlord a gold rating in a survey. Nine out of ten quizzed said they were satisfied with Thenew Housing Association. Its management of repairs,

helpfulness of staff and general service all scored a satisfaction rating of more than 90 per cent.

“Daily Express”A Scottish housing association has become the first in the country to

take part in a pioneering initiative to help workers play a wider role in their community. Staff can consult the Scottish Government’s Community

Capacity Building guidance to help them engage with communities.


Doorstep Electricity Scam

Press Release from Erergy Action Scotland

‘Don’t buy electricity meter top-ups at doorstep’, energy companiesand consumer watchdog warn customers

Organised criminals are found to be operating across UK selling illegal meter credit.

Energy companies and Consumer Focus, the consumer watchdog, are warning that an estimated 85,000 households have been affected by a doorstep scam which seems to offer cheaper electricity meter top-ups but just ends up with consumers paying twice.

Today, Tuesday 7 September 2010, as the scale of widespread illegal sales of electricity top-up on the doorstep is revealed, energy companies are launching a national campaign, “Top up Safe”, urging electricity prepayment meter customers to buy top-up only through official channels.

The problem is affecting customers of all of the leading energy companies (British Gas, EDF Energy, e-on, npower, Scottish Power and SSE).

Companies have begun writing to and telephoning their electricity pre-payment meter customers to alert them. There is evidence of serious and organised criminal activity and they are urging customers not to buy credit for their meters on the doorstep.

Some customers are being offered £50 of electricity meter top-up for a cash payment of just £25. Energy companies detect when they have not received payment for electricity used. As the energy credit is illegal any customer buying top-up on the doorstep will end up paying twice, first to the criminal and then to their energy supplier.

Christine McGourty, Director at Energy UK, which represents all the leading energy companies, says: “This a serious and widespread scam and we’re launching the Top-Up Safe campaign to urge customers to steer clear of the criminals behind it. Just like when you buy something fake online – like a ticket for a football match or a music concert – you’re the one who’ll end up losing out in the end.

“Energy companies can detect the fraud and you’ll end up paying twice for your electricity, first to the criminal and then again to your energy company, who can always detect when electricity has been used, but not paid for through the proper channels. It’s essential that you only top-up your electricity meter from recognized PayPoint or Payzone shops or The Post Office.

“Energy companies are determined to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice and are working closely with the Police at a local and national level to stamp out this illegal activity.”

Mike O’Connor CBE, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, says: ”This despicable scam is putting cash in the pockets of criminals and defrauding thousands of people who are already hard pressed in this economic climate. Consumers must be on the alert for anyone who comes to their doorstep claiming to sell electricity credit. Any customer worried that they may have been affected should call their energy supplier or Consumer Direct to seek advice.”

Dave Cording, Crimestoppers’ Director of Operations said: “If anyone knows someone selling illegal electricity top ups, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Crimestoppers-uk.org. By contacting Crimestoppers, no one will know your identity and you will not go to court. The public can play a vital role in helping to catch criminals, simply by taking a few minutes to pass on any information they may have.”

A national industry communications campaign has been launched with a prominent warning message on the receipts issued when customer buy electricity top-up from official outlets – PayPoint, Payzone and The Post Office. Companies never sell electricity top-up door-to-door.

The industry’s national “Top-Up Safe” campaign will also include posters and leaflets and a dedicated website.

Further information can be found at www.top-upsafe.com. Customers can contact their electricity company or Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.


Welfare Rights Money Advice Financial Education

Discretionary Housing Benefi tMany of our tenants who are not in receipt of full housing benefi t are not applying for Discretionary Housing Payment. This underused scheme can assist those who are having diffi culties paying towards the shortfall in their rent and council tax. The payments, if awarded, last for a period of six months but further applications can be made. Help to complete these application forms will be provided if required, by making an appointment at your local offi ce with one of the Financial Inclusion Team. Though there is no guarantee that this will be awarded, you will never know unless you make a claim.

Proposed Benefi t ChangesYou will have seen or heard of the new Government’s proposals to shake up the benefi t system, by removing or reducing some benefi ts and penalising those on Jobseekers Allowance for more than 12 months. Thenew has investigated the possible outcomes if all these changes go ahead as planned.

Over the next few newsletters we will be informing tenants of the different benefi ts affected and what the likely fi nancial problems that may be faced by our tenants would be. We will also report if any of the proposals have been withdrawn or altered in any way.

One of the proposed changes is to Jobseekers allowances.

It has been proposed that those tenants who have been in receipt of Jobseekers allowance for more than 12 months, will have their Housing Benefi t reduced by 10%.

If your rent is £280 per month, this means that you would be required to pay Thenew £28 per month as you would only receive £252 per month in Housing Benefi t. Additional provision has been made to increase the amount of Discretionary Housing Payments that can be made. However the increase is small compared to the numbers who will be affected by this.

It is important that you continue to read these newsletters in order for us to keep you up to date with what is going on and so that we are able to assist you at the earliest opportunity.

Read our next newsletter for further information about these proposed changes.

Money Matters is brought to you by Thenew’s Financial Inclusion Service.Telephone 0141 550 5944 and a member of the team will be happy to assist you.

Money Matters

Documents

Thenew Newsletter Autumn 2010