Neighbourhood Services
HOUSING NEWS
PREVIOUS HEADLINES
| Inaugral
conference held for Housing Staff |
The Housing Service recently saw almost all of its employees come together
for the very first time at the Park Hotel, Kilmarnock for an inaugural
Staff Conference.
Chief Executive Fiona Lees opened the conference, giving her full support
to the event and urging other Council Departments to follow Housing’s
lead. Councillor Jimmy Kelly, Chair of the Housing Committee, also gave
his support to the day and praised housing employees for their good work.
The Conference aimed to introduce Business Planning for the Housing Service
and update all employees on future challenges facing their service, such
as meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard set by the Scottish Executive
by 2015; dealing with the rise in anti-social behaviour and providing
affordable housing that meets peoples’ needs through Housing’s
development programme.
Employees were also congratulated on the achievements the department
has made over the last five years such as the reduction of rent arrears
by almost £1 million; the number of emergency repairs being completed
on target rising by almost 30% to just below 90%; the opening of the new
Housing Options Office at College Wynd in Kilmarnock; the introduction
of Community Wardens in some areas and partnership development and regeneration
across East Ayrshire.
Workshops were also held during which employees could give their views
on the services currently provided and make recommendations for meeting
the many challenges that lie ahead. Head of Housing, Chris McAleavey,
has pledged that the output from the workshops, and similar workshops
held at the tenant’s conference in May, will shape the Housing Service
Business Plan.
Employees also benefited from the advice of world renowned speaker Jack
Black who delivered an inspirational speech aimed to motivate staff to
be the best at what they do and strongly support and defend their service.
Councillor Kelly said: “The Housing Service has given a commitment
to making the conference an annual event to reflect the annual tenant’s
conference, in recognition that both employees and tenants have a valuable
contribution to make to service development.”
| Best
Value Review of Sheltered Housing Services |
| Stakeholder Questionnaire |
If you work in health, housing or social work and have an interest in
sheltered housing services, or if you have relatives or friends who live
in sheltered housing in East Ayrshire, the Council would like to hear
from you. Please take a little time to complete the stakeholder questionnaire
for our sheltered housing review. It applies to all sheltered housing
services, not just those provided directly by the Council.
This questionnaire is being used as the mechanism to obtain the views
of people who have an interest in sheltered housing services in East Ayrshire,
but who are not either service users or direct providers of the service.’
Down Load a copy of the survey - Click
here.
| EAST
AYRSHIRE HOUSING OPTIONS GUIDE UPDATED FOR 2005 |
| Housing Options Guide ready to download |
The latest edition of East Ayrshire's Housing Options Guide is now avaliable
to view or down load on the web.
The Housing Options Guide is designed as a pratical tool for practictioners
providing information and advice to clients. The guide provides useful
information about housing options in all tenures, homelessness and housing
repairs and grants.
Click here
to view East Ayrshire's Housing Options Guide.
| EAST
AYRSHIRE TACKLES ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR |
| Launch of East Ayrshire's Antisocial Behaviour
Strategy |
The Antisocial Behaviour Etc (Scotland) Act 2004 placed a statutory duty
on East Ayrshire Council and the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police
to prepare a strategy in consultation with our Community Planning Partners
for dealing with antisocial behaviour in the authority’s area.
The Antisocial Behaviour Strategy covers the period 2005 to 2008 and sits
predominantly within the East Ayrshire Community Plan. It sets out the
extent and nature of the antisocial behaviour problems within East Ayrshire;
the services already available to prevent and tackle this type of behaviour;
the new services that the Council, Police and other Partners will need
to put in place to fill any gaps in provision, and how the Council and
the Police will coordinate their functions and exchange information with
relevant agencies
During its life the strategy will be subject to routine monitoring, review,
evaluation and when required revision. It is a milestone in the Community
Planning Partners drive to create a safer environment for everyone who
lives in, visits or invests in East Ayrshire. As the first Multi-Agency
Antisocial Behaviour Strategy for East Ayrshire, it is a bold beginning
to the long-term task of solving the problems associated with antisocial
behaviour.
Based on the strong foundations of the work already undertaken by East
Ayrshire Council, Strathclyde Police and other Community Planning Partners,
the strategy builds on the existing strong working relationship between
the Community Planning Partners and the residents of East Ayrshire. In
addition it provides clear evidence of the Community’s determination
to use the provisions of the Antisocial Behaviour Etc. (Scotland) Act
2004 to effectively tackle antisocial behaviour by setting out clear responsibilities
for delivering action by the Community Planning Partners.
It is realised that this strategy on its own will not eliminate antisocial
behaviour from East Ayrshire overnight. It does, however, set out a clear
direction and a framework of aims that the Community Planning Partnership
has been working towards for a number of years. The strategy sets challenging
targets for the next three years, but these are achievable given the strong
working relationship that exists between local people and the Community
Planning Partners.
Councillor Drew McIntyre, Chair of the Community Planning Partnership
said: "By planning together, working together and achieving together,
we can start to make a real difference to the lives of people living in
East Ayrshire. Significant progress has already been made to tackle the
scourge of anti social behaviour and the Antisocial Behaviour Strategy
is a solid foundation on which we can build.”
Councillor Jimmy Kelly, Chair of the Housing Committee said: “East
Ayrshire is not alone in being affected by the scourge of antisocial behaviour
but we are tackling the problem head on with our Community Planning Partners
with the launch of the Antisocial Behaviour Strategy. The Council is working
closely with its Partners to find local solutions to local problems and
the strategy sets out plans for the next three years for tackling all
aspects of anti social behaviour. The message from the strategy is loud
and clear, antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated in East Ayrshire.”
Superintendent Liz Weir, added: “The Antisocial Behaviour Strategy
provides guidance and a positive framework from which all partner agencies
can work. Antisocial Behaviour is not acceptable and Strathclyde Police,
East Ayrshire Council and our Community Planning Partners are fully committed
to dealing with antisocial behaviour and ensure that our communities are
safe and attractive places for the people of East Ayrshire to live and
work.”
To view a PDF copy of the Antisocial Behaviour Strategy Click
here
For further information on the Antisocial Behaviour Strategy
Click here
| Housing
Stock Options Appraisal |
| The stock Options Appraisal Report |
In late 2004 East Ayrshire Council commissioned DTZ Pieda to undertake
a Stock Options appriasal for the Councils housing stock.
The results of this report have now been submitted to the Housing Committee
for members to consider the options presented.
To view a copy of the report click
here.
For further information on Stock Options Appraisal Click
here
| Proposed
Housing Investment Programme |
| Investment Programme to work towards Scottish
Housing Quality Standard |
The proposed Housing investment programme was presented to the Housing
Committee on the 20th of April. the proposal sets out the Housing Services
financial allocations for 2005/06 and the actions required to direct the
investment programme towards the objectives of the Scottish Housing quality
standard (SHQS).
To view a copy of the proposal click
here
For further information on the Housing investment Programme Click
here
| Housing
Best Value Service Review |
| East Ayrshire Council Housing Department
meeting the challenges |
A report was submitted the the April Housing Committe detailing the outcomes
of a 'Best Value Service Review'. The Service Review highlights proposals
to realign the services to meet the challenges identified by the review.
To view a copy of the Housing Best Value Service Review Click
here.
For further information on the Best Value Service Review Click
here.
| Regeneration
in East Ayrshire |
| New homes for East Ayrshire |
Housing development proposals were put to committee in January 2005 identifying
housing development proposals to promote sustainable regeneration and
address low demand housing in East Ayrshire.
Development proposals were submitted for mixed tenure developments to
provide new housing for sale together with social rented housing that
includes an element of community care housing.
The following developments have been agreed by committee:
- The demolition of vacant Council properties at Longpark, Kilmarnock
for the development of new homes for rent and sale in partnership with
Cunninghame Housing Association. Work on this development will start
in 2006.
- In Galston the demolition of empty flats will make way for new homes
for rent and sale at Castleview in Galston through a partnership with
Shire Housing Association where work is set to begin in 2006/07.
- Houses will be demolished in Riccarton West, Kilmarnock to make way
for new homes for rent and sale in partnership with Atrium Homes. Work
on this development will start in 2008.
For further information on the housing development program Click
here
| Care
and Repair Scheme expands its service |
| Care and Repair expands to the whole of
East Ayrshire |
After the successful pilot of the Care and Repair Scheme in Dalmellington
the service has now expanded to the whole of East Ayrshire.
The aim of the project is to carry out works, and offer information and
advice, including help with completing grant application forms, to help
older and disabled owners make their homes safer.
The project is also designed to assist clients in hospital get back into
their own homes, through the provision of works in the home to make them
suitable for their return. In addition, the project provides a Small Repair
Service to older and disabled owners, and operates an Approved Contractor
List.
East Ayrshire Care & Repair, run by Shire Housing Association on
behalf of East Ayrshire Council and Communities Scotland, is a free and
confidential client-orientated service available to owner occupiers and
private tenants who are over 60 years of age or have a disability.
For further information on the Care and Repair Scheme Click
here
To contact the Care and Repair Scheme Click
here
| Additional
funding for Private Sector Housing Grants |
| £1.541M Granted for 2004/05 to tackle
disabled adaptation, communal works and selective demolition's |
Additional funding has been awarded by Communities Scotland to support
East Ayrshire Council improve the condition of the private housing sector
in the area.
The funding is to be utilised to provide grants for disabled adaptations,
to assist adjoining owner occupiers to encourage them to take part in
communal works and to undertake selective demolition's in the area Initiative
Regeneration projects.
For further information on Private Sector Housing Grants Click
here
To contact someone regarding Private Sector Housing Grants
Click here
| Mortgage to Rent Scheme comes to East Ayrshire |
The Mortgage to Rent Scheme may be able to help you if you are an owner
occupier in mortgage difficulties and you are in danger of having your
home repossessed. The scheme can arrange for a social landlord such as
a Housing Association or a Local Authority to buy your home and for you
to continue to live there as a tenant.
Mortgage to rent will not be the best option for everyone. To find out
if it is right for your situation you can get free advice from your local
Citizen's Advice Bureau, East Ayrshire Council's Housing Options team,
and a range of National Advice Agencies - full details of these can be
found in the Mortgage to Rent Information Leaflet.
For further Information, or to receive advice and assistance on any housing
issue, contact the East Ayrshire Housing Options Team at 16 College Wynd,
Kilmarnock Telephone 01563 554554 or the Citizens Advice Bureau, located
at 3 John Dickie Street, Kilmarnock (Telephone 01563 544744) and 77a Townhead
Street, Cumnock (Telephone 01290 429 500).
Mortgage to Rent Information Leaflets are also available to pick up from
your Local Council Office and Citizen Advice Bureau, for details of your
nearest office telephone 01563 576000 or find your nearest Local Office
Click here
For further information on the Mortgage to Rent Scheme Click
here
| 2004
Performance Indicators |
| 2004 Performance Indicators
for Housing released |
Wednesday, October 6th, 2004
The 2004 Performance Indicators reports an improvement in for the majority
of indicators.
To look at all the indicators in detail click on the link below.
Related Information and contacts
Visit related web pages
on this site
| Tenant
Satisfaction Survey |
Wednesday, October 6th, 2004
East Ayrshire Council Housing Service in Mach and April this year undertook
a survey of all its tenants. The survey concludes that many of the services
offered by the Council were of an acceptable standard but some parts of
the business need to be strengthened including elements of the repairs
service and general complaints procedures.
To view a summary of the key finding of the Tenants Satisfaction Survey
in PDF format please Click
here.
Related Information and contacts
Tenant Involvement
| Building
Safe Strong & Attractive Communities |
Wednesday, October 6th, 2004
The Scottish Executive has released more money for the Community Wardens
Scheme after a second round bid for funds by East Ayrshire Council was
successful.
These addition funds will further develop anti social behaviour initiative
throughout East Ayrshire in 2004/2005.
£1.050m had been awarded to the Council and its Community Planning
Partners over the 2 year period from 2004/2005 to 2005/2006 for the introduction
of a pilot community wardens
service and other antisocial behaviour initiatives.
In June 2004 the Scottish Executive advised East Ayrshire that subject
to a successful funding bid, it would receive. The Executive also indicated
that another £410,550 will be made available in 2005/06, to support
the implementation of an antisocial
behaviour strategy as required by the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland)
Act 2004.
In respect of the £317,730 funding for 2004/2005 the Scottish Executive
issued guidelines that this should be devoted to:
- Introducing or filling gaps in services for people (of all tenures)
suffering antisocial behaviour
- Introducing further warden schemes, where these are justified or improving
existing warden schemes, and
- Activities to support the preparation and implementation of local
authority wide antisocial behaviour strategies.
Related
Information and contacts
Visit
related web pages on this site
Wednesday, October 6th, 2004
DTZ Pieda have been awarded the contract to complete a Housing Stock
Options Appraisal for East Ayrshire Council.
The Stock Options Appraisal will look at the future of East Ayrshire's
Social Rented Accommodation and make recommendations as to how the Council
can more forward with its stock.
If you would like further information on Stock Options Appraisal please
Click here
Related Information and contacts
Visit related web pages on this site
Wednesday, October 6th, 2004
The Scottish Executive has awarded more funding to East
Ayrshire to support the delivery of the Homeless Strategy in East Ayrshire.
The funding amounts to£486,700 in the current financial year. A
further £486,700 has been awarded for 2005/2006.
The Executive has also awarded Rough Sleeping Revenue Funding
amounting to £323,835 on a pan-Ayrshire basis for financial year
2004/2005.
If you want to contact the Homeless service Click
here.
Related Information and contacts
Visit related web pages
on this site
| Private
Sector Housing Grant |
Wednesday, October 6th, 2004
Following the outcome of consultations with Communities Scotland on behalf
of the Scottish Ministers, the Council were invited to bid for Private
Sector Housing Grant funding for 2004/05 and 2005/06 to support its strategic
intentions for investment to improve the condition of private housing
sector within East Ayrshire.
Communities Scotland have now confirmed acceptance of the bid proposal
and agreed to provide full funding as requested;
A bid was submitted for funding of £860K for 2004/05 and £1.51M
for 2005/06 under detailed proposals as follows:
(i) To service mandatory grants for Below Tolerable Standard housing
and houses on which Section 108, serious disrepair notices are expected
to be served, in the amount of £60K for both 2004/05 and 2005/06.
(ii) To provide mandatory grants for disabled adaptation applications
expected in years 2004-06 and to address outstanding applications from
2003/04, in the amount of £360K for both 2004/2005 and 2005/2006.
(iii) To provide funding to both continue the Care and Repair Scheme
in the pilot area and expand it therefrom to other local communities,
in the amount of £150K for both 2004/05 and 2005/06.
(iv) To make available grant assistance to adjoining owner-occupiers
to encourage them to take part in communal works undertaken by the Council
as part of its Housing Investment Programme, in the amount of £100K
for both 2004/05 and 2005/06.
(v) To commission a survey to update the currently available information
on private sector stock within the authority area and to further augment
information available from the Scottish House Condition Survey, in the
amount of £90K for both 2004/05 and 2005/06.
(vi) To provide funding to assist the Council to progress the redevelopment
of the historically and architecturally important buildings in the John
Finnie Street, Strand Street, Dunlop Street area of the town center, where
funding is restricted to £100K for both 2004/2005 and 2005/2006.
Related Information and contacts
Visit related
web pages on this site
| East Ayrshire Council Introduces new Homes for Rent
Scheme |
East Ayrshire Council is currently piloting online advertising for selected
East Ayrshire Council properties in the Irvine Valley area.
In the near future we hope to offer this service across all of East Ayrshire.
To visit the Homes for Rent Page Click
here
View related web pages
Download the Application For Housing form
Applying
for housing with East Ayrshire Council
East
Ayrshire Council's Allocations Policy
Other
housing providers in East Ayrshire
Housing
Service home page
 HOMES
(Housing Mobility and Exchange Services)
To contact someone regarding the Homes for Rent Scheme click
here
| East Ayrshire Council Introduces Community Wardens |
Wednesday, September 1st, 2004
From the 5th of July 2004 Community Wardens are working in the Kilmarnock
area's of New Farm Loch, Onthank, Knockinlaw, Longpark, Hillhead, Shortlees,
and also Cumnock (Barshare), and Auchinleck.
The Wardens will be based in the Local Communities and will be working
seven days a week during the hours of 1.30pm until 11.15pm.
The Community Wardens are there to help the local Community make their
area a Safer and more Attractive place to live. They want to know from
you about how they can help you make your community a safer and cleaner
place to stay.
If you want to contact the Wardens Click
here.
Related Information and contacts
Visit
related web pages on this site
| East Ayrshire Council
introduces Rent Deposit Scheme |
Wednesday, September 1st, 2004
East Ayrshire Council has recently established a pilot Rent Deposit Guarantee
Scheme (DiGs). The purpose of the scheme is to assist those on a low income
to access private rented accommodation. Traditionally, to rent accommodation
in the private sector, tenants have to pay a deposit, usually equivalent
to one month’s rent. This has made it difficult for many people who
are unable to raise this amount of money to rent in the private sector.
DiGs can provide the ‘guarantee’ of a deposit in the form of
a bond, payable to the landlord at the end of the tenancy, where required.
Funding for the project is being met from Moines awarded to East Ayrshire
Council by the Scottish Executive to help deliver the Homelessness Strategy,
and from Ayrshire and Arran NHS.
The scheme also provides support for tenants to help them sustain and
manage their tenancy. At the moment the scheme is being piloted for a
six month period and will be limited to referrals from the Council’s
Housing and Social Work staff. The project’s initial target is to
help about twenty tenants find accommodation in the private rented sector.
The pilot scheme will target those in housing need who are over 25 years
of age.
In order to access the scheme, landlords will be expected to be members
of the East Ayrshire Private Landlords’ Forum and provide good quality
accommodation.
If you would like further information on DiGs, or the East Ayrshire Private
Landlord’s Forum, please Click
here.
Related Information and contacts:
Rent
Deposit Guarantee Scheme
Private
Landlords Forum
| Furnished
Tenancies Grant |
| More Money for Furnished
Tenancies Grant |
Wednesday, September 1st, 2004
The Scottish Executive has introduced a new scheme to help homeless people
access furniture for their new homes.
The Homeless Task Force has recommended that each Council should help
homeless people by helping them with basic furniture.
As a direct consequence of this recommendation, the Scottish Executive
awarded East Ayrshire Council £124,740 for 2003/04 to introduce
the furniture scheme for those who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.
How do I qualify?
The grant is available to all homeless people.
Who do I Contact?
You contact the Tenancy
Support Team who will check eligibility via the Department of Work
and Pensions for access to the Social Fund. An applicant will only be
able to access the Grant for essential goods that he/she is unable to
source via other methods, i.e. Community Care Grant, Social Fund Loan,
etc.
Related Information and contacts
Visit related web pages on this site
Tenancy
Support Team
| Formal Grant Offer
for Common Housing Register |
Wednesday, September 1st, 2004
East Ayrshire Council in conjunction with Atrium Homes, Cunninghame Housing
Association, Link Housing Association, Irvine Housing Association, Shire
Housing Association, Key Housing Association and West of Scotland Housing
Association were successful in securing funding from the Scottish Executive
to develop a Common Housing Register for East Ayrshire by March 2006.
A Common Housing Register involves the development of a single housing
application form so that anyone looking for housing within East Ayrshire
can access a range of housing by filling in only one application form.
The creation of a Common Housing Register should remove some of the obstacles
which can make the process of applying for a house difficult and should
help people who need housing.
If you would like further information on the Common Housing Register
please Click here
Related Information and contacts
Visit related web pages on this
site
| East Ayrshire Council
introduces Rent Deposit Scheme |
Wednesday, September 1st, 2004
East Ayrshire Council has recently established a pilot Rent Deposit Guarantee
Scheme (DiGs). The purpose of the scheme is to assist those on a low income
to access private rented accommodation. Traditionally, to rent accommodation
in the private sector, tenants have to pay a deposit, usually equivalent
to one month’s rent. This has made it difficult for many people who
are unable to raise this amount of money to rent in the private sector.
DiGs can provide the ‘guarantee’ of a deposit in the form of
a bond, payable to the landlord at the end of the tenancy, where required.
Funding for the project is being met from monies awarded to East Ayrshire
Council by the Scottish Executive to help deliver the Homelessness Strategy,
and from Ayrshire and Arran NHS.
The scheme also provides support for tenants to help them sustain and
manage their tenancy. At the moment the scheme is being piloted for a
six month period and will be limited to referrals from the Council’s
Housing and Social Work staff. The project’s initial target is to
help about twenty tenants find accommodation in the private rented sector.
The pilot scheme will target those in housing need who are over 25 years
of age.
In order to access the scheme, landlords will be expected to be members
of the East Ayrshire Private Landlords’ Forum and provide good quality
accommodation.
If you would like further information on DiGs, or the East Ayrshire Private
Landlord’s Forum, please Click
here.
Related Information and contacts
Rent
Deposit Guarantee Scheme
Private
Landlords Forum
| Furnished
Tenancies Grant |
| More Money for Furnished
Tenancies Grant |
Wednesday, September 1st, 2004
The Scottish Executive has introduced a new scheme to help homeless people
access furniture for their new homes.
The Homeless Task Force has recommended that each Council should help
homeless people by helping them with basic furniture.
As a direct consequence of this recommendation, the Scottish Executive
awarded East Ayrshire Council £124,740 for 2003/04 to introduce
the furniture scheme for those who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.
How do I qualify?
The grant is available to all homeless people.
Who do I Contact?
You contact the Tenancy
Support Team who will check eligibility via the Department of Work
and Pensions for access to the Social Fund. An applicant will only be
able to access the Grant for essential goods that he/she is unable to
source via other methods, i.e. Community Care Grant, Social Fund Loan,
etc.
Related Information and contacts
Visit related
web pages on this site
Tenancy Support Team
| Formal Grant Offer
for Common Housing Register |
Wednesday, September 1st, 2004
East Ayrshire Council in conjunction with Atrium Homes, Cunninghame Housing
Association, Link Housing Association, Irvine Housing Association, Shire
Housing Association, Key Housing Association and West of Scotland Housing
Association were successful in securing funding from the Scottish Executive
to develop a Common Housing Register for East Ayrshire by March 2006.
A Common Housing Register involves the development of a single housing
application form so that anyone looking for housing within East Ayrshire
can access a range of housing by filling in only one application form.
The creation of a Common Housing Register should remove some of the obstacles
which can make the process of applying for a house difficult and should
help people who need housing.
If you would like further information on the Common Housing Register
please Click here
Related Information and contacts
Visit related web pages on this
site
|
