Tenants at Cragroy sheltered housing complex in Dunoon were given a new planted area to commemorate ACHA’s first birthday.

Pictured with tenants are members of the Cowal & Bute Area Committee and Susanne Gilbride, Area Housing Manager.

How To Contact the ACHA Area Offices

Helensburgh & Lomond telephone 01436 658700 31 James Street, Helensburgh G84 8AS housing.lomond@acha.co.ukCowal telephone 01369 708688 Dolphin Hall, Manse Avenue, Dunoon PA23 8DQ housing.cowal@acha.co.ukBute telephone 01700 501314 Union Street, Rothesay PA20 0HD housing.bute@acha.co.ukMid Argyll telephone 01546 604800 Dalriada House, Lochgilphead PA31 8ST housing.midargyll@acha.co.ukKintyre telephone 01586 559055 Old Quay Head, Campbeltown PA28 6ED housing.kintyre@acha.co.uk Islay telephone 01496 301312 Jamieson Street, Bowmore PA43 7HP housing.islay@acha.co.ukOban, Lorn and Isles telephone 01631 567962 Albany Street, Oban PA34 4AW housing.lorn@acha.co.ukMull telephone 01688 302051 Breadalbane Street, Tobermory, Mull PA75 6PX

GGeett iinn ttoouucchh ……..If you have any comments or queries about this newsletter or any of the information contained in it please contact: Gillian McInnes, Community Development Manager tel: 01546 604088 63 – 65 Chalmers Street, Ardrishaig, Argyll PA30 8DX

Frost Precaution Information on how to avoid frost damage

Advice Action

If you would like to know what effect very cold weather will have on your home, advice and assistance is always available from ACHA. Should you wish to talk to a member of staff regarding the workings of the water system in your house or to report any defect due to cold weather, please contact:

ACHA Repair Hotline

Freephone 0800 028 2755

Frost Precaution Information on how to avoid frost damage

Advice Assistance Action

If you would like to know what effect very cold weather will have on your home, advice and assistance is always available from ACHA. Should you wish to talk to a member of staff regarding the workings of the water system in your house or to report any defect due to cold weather, please contact:

ACHA Repair Hotline

Freephone 0800 028 2755

Keep Warm This Winter As the weather gets colder ACHA urges all tenants to stay warm. All area offices have copies of the above leaflet on how to avoid burst pipes etc. so give us a call if you would like advice.

ACHA Insures a Winner !! Pictured right is Miss Cunning-ham from Islay who was the lucky winner picked out of the prize draw for a years worth of Home Contents Insurance. Handing over the new insur-ance policy is ACHA’s Area Housing Manager, Iona MacPhail. Two runner-up prizes of half price insurance for a year were won by Miss McGillivray and Mrs McInally both from Oban. Congratulations to all the winners and we hope that this will bring peace of mind that in the event of an unforeseen incident your homes are fully covered by the new insurance policies. The pol-icy being offered by ACHA for both ten-ants and former tenants is underwritten by Norwich Union and is fantastic value for money. If you would like a quote or more information please contact Marie on 01546 604575 or pop into your local ACHA office and pick up a booklet.

Pictured cutting ACHA’s first birthday cake is Norman Beaton, Chair of ACHA’s Board together with some Board members, Alastair MacGregor (Chief Executive) and SFHA (Scottish Federation of Housing Associations) Chief Executive, Jacqui Watt (fourth from right).

Inside this issue:

ACHA is one year old on the 21st No-vember and by the end of the year we will have spent £3.8 million on repairs with a staggering 30,000 repairs or-ders logged. We will also have spent £12.8 million on im-provements to ten-ants homes in the

first of a six year programme.

December 2007 Putting Tenants First

Happy Birthday ACHA

Chief Executives comments

2

New Board of Management

2

Repairs - one number

2

ACHA’s first regeneration

3

Low Energy Light bulbs

3

Don’t go in to Debt for Christmas

3

Keep Warm This Winter

New planted area for tenants Contact Us

4

4

4

Insures a WAACH

Islay who was the ham fromPictured right is Miss Cunni

nePutting TTe

inner !! sures a W

ay who was the ng-is Miss Cunni

nants First

Inside this issue:

December 2007

Chief Execu

this issue:

mber 2007

ittives 2

i iwTTwMacPhail.

Housing Managercy is ance poli

Handing over the new insur-Home Contentprize draw for a years worth of lucky winner pi

Islay who was the ham from

fzes of halo runner-up priw

, Iona agerArea s’ACHAA’

the new insur-s Insurance. nt

r a years worth of cked out of the pi

ay who was the

bfof hal

ents mcomChief Execu

mManageNew Board

ber mnuRepairs - one

ACHA’s first

nts ives ttives xecu 2

tnemof ard 2

- one 2

first 3

by the new insurance polincident your homes are fullmind that in the event of an unforeseen we hope that this will bring peace of

ations to all the winners and Congratulfrom Oban. Miss McGillivray and Mrs McInally both price insurance for a year were won by

The pol-icies. surance poly covered homes are full

he event of an unforeseen this will bring peace of ns to all the winners and

ray and Mrs McInally both ce for a year were won by

he pol-ered eseen of and

y both on by

million on repwill have spent £3.8 end of the year we vember and by the old on the 21st No-

is one year ACHAA

airs repspent £3.8

year we nd by the 21st No-

one year

regeneratio

Light bulbs Low Energy

aChristmDebt for

t go in to ’Don

natio

lbs ergy 3

as

in to 3

fice and piofffice and piACHAAon 01546 604575 or pop into your local more information please cont

. If you wfor moneyby Norwich Union and is fant

s and former tenantantfered byicy being offfered by

by the new insurance pol

ck up a booklet. and pi4575 or pop into your local

act Marie tion please contke a quote or ould liyou w

castinion and is fants is underwritten mer tenant

for both ten-ACHAAred byThe pol-icies. surance pol

et. r local Marie ote or

ue valwritten h ten-he pol-

es homantprovement

i£12.8 millalso have spent ders logged. W30,000 rep

aggering with a stmillion on rep

es in the to ten-st

on on im-spent

will eed. WWeirs or-ap

ggering airs rep

Contact Us

area for tenants New planted

This WinterKeep Warm

Us

tenants nted

nterarm

4

4

4

ppaHAHCAyaaydthriByp

ACHA’s Board together with some cake is Norman Beaton, Chair of Pictured cutting ACHA’s first birthday

programfirst of a six year

A

HA’s Board together with some ke is Norman Beaton, Chair of ctured cutting ACHA’s first birthday

me. msix year

th some Chair of rst birthday

from right). Chief ExecFederation of Housing Associations) (Chief Executive) and SFHA (Scottish Board members, Alastair MacGregor

m right). utive, Jacqui Watt (fourth ief Exec

deration of Housing Associations) hief Executive) and SFHA (Scottish ard members, Alastair MacGregor

g

Watt (fourth sociations) HA (Scottish MacGregor

New Board of Management

It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since the transfer on the 21st

November 2006. It has been a busy year and by the end of March 2008 we hope to have put in 1,910 new kitchens and bathrooms, new windows and doors in 397 homes and 402 new heating systems. We will also be starting roof replacements and roughcast renewals to 190 homes. The Association was very pleased to introduce the grass cutting service for elderly and dis-abled tenants which has proved very popular. The Association also set up our community grant scheme which will pay up to £300 to voluntary groups who work with ACHA for the benefit of communities. The Association has

been busy taking forward the first of our new build housing as you can see on the opposite page. Since transfer ACHA has let 440 homes which in itself makes a contribution to meeting housing need. There have been challenges in the first year, notably dealing with the scale of ground maintenance and the backlog of repairs. We are hopeful that in dealing with 30,000 repairs in year one, this will have dealt with the catch-up and with respect to grounds maintenance we have much clearer information now on what ACHA has responsibility for, which should be reflected in a better service next year.

Could I finish on a personal note and wish you and yours all the very best over the festive season AAllaassttaaiirr MMaaccGGrreeggoorr (Chief Executive)

At ACHA’s AGM (annual general meeting) held recently in Inveraray a new Board of Management was elected. Thanks must go to the outgoing Board who have worked extremely hard to see ACHA set up and go through stock transfer last November. Particular thanks to Professor Colin Davidson from Ardfern who retired from the position of Secretary. ACHA is delighted to see re-elected as Chair, Norman Beaton, a tenant from Ardrishaig. Filling the post of Vice Chair is Gail Dow from Kilkenzie (Kintyre) and Councillor Rory Colville takes up the vacancy of Secretary. Many thanks also to all Members of the Association who attended ACHA’s first AGM. Membership of ACHA entitles you to vote at the AGM and to receive ACHA’s Annual Report. The £1 for life Membership Application Form is available at any ACHA office or call Fiona on 01546 60 4095 to have one sent out to you.

Now Only One Number

You will have seen in previous newslet-ters that we advertised our Repairs Freephone number alongside a num-ber to call for ‘out of hours’ emergencies. This is now just one number so call our Freephone number to report a

repair:

Freephone 0800 028 2755 Please note that if you call this number from a mobile phone you will be charged for the call.

Remember to ask for a Repairs Satis-faction form after your repair has been

done and tell us what you think.

roof replacements and roughcasdoors in 397 homes and 402 new heating shope to have put in 1,910 new kitNovember 2006. It has been a busy year and by the end of March 2008 we It’s hard to believe that a year has

st renewaland roughcass and 402 new heating s

hens and bathrooms, new windows and cn 1,910 new kitt has been a busy year and by the end of March 2008 we

passed since the transfer on the 21that a year has

s to 190 homes. The Association also be starting ystems. We will s

nd bathrooms, new windows and and by the end of March 2008 we since the transfer on the 21

ssociation be starting dows and h 2008 we

ste 21

year one, this will havmaintenance and the backlog of repairs. We are need. There have been challenges Since transfer ACHA has let 440 homes which in itbeen busy taking forward the first of our new

e dealt with the catch-up ill havnd the backlog of repairs. We are

in the first year, notably dealave been challenges ACHA has let 440 homes which in itg forward the first of our new

who work with ACHA for the benefit ofour community grant scheme which will abled tenants which has proved very populwas very pleased to introduce the grass cuttiroof replacements and roughcas

and with respect to grounds maintenancatch-up hopeful that in dealings. We are

the first year, notably dealself makes a contribution to meeting housins which in it

ing as you can see on the oppositbuild housr newcommunities. The Association has HA for the benefit offpay up to £300 to voluntary groups nt scheme which will

h has proved very populo introduce the grass cutti

st renewaland roughcas

ct to grounds maintenancwith 30,000 repairs in in dealing

ing with the scale of ground eala contribution to meeting housinyou can see on the opposit

mmunities. The Association has ay up to £300 to voluntary groups

slar. The Association alng service for elderly and dis-utti

s to 190 homes. The Association

e we have ncepairs in ground

gng housine page. posit

ation has ry groups so set up

y and dis-ssociation

New Board of Management

e nexcbetter servimuch clearer informatiyear one, this will hav

d of Management

the festive season Could I finish on a personal note and wish you and yours all the very best over

t year. exon now on what ACHA has reformati

e dealt with the catch-up ill hav

riririattataatasaasassasllAAve season ersonal note and wish you and yours all the very best over

ility for, which should be reflected in a sponsibACHA has reand with respect to grounds maintenancatch-up

(Chief Executive)rroogeegegrr gegreereGGccaaMMyou and yours all the very best over

y for, which should be reflected in a ct to grounds maintenanc

Executive)ry best over

eflected in a e we have nc

up and go through stock transfer y hard to see extremel

ng Board who have worked outgoiThanks must go to the elected.

a new Board of Management was meeting) held recently in Inveraray

AGM s’At ACHA

g

rough stock transfer set ACHAArd to see

rd who have worked nks must go to the of Management was

d recently in Inveraray general (annual GM

d

say

r is Gail Dow from ice ChaiVshaig. FilArdrifrom

, Norman Beaton, a tenant Chairdelighted to see re-elected as

on of Secretpositiho retired from the Ardfern w

to Professor Colin Davidson from last November

p g

Gail Dow from ling the post of aig. Fil

n Beaton, a tenant see re-elected as

is ACHAA.aryecretretired from the Colin Davidson from

ar thanks . Particulerg

of Freephone numberters that we advertised our

ou will have seen inYYou will have seen in

Now On

alongside a num-numberriaRepadvertised our

previous newslet-seen in

ly One Number On

num-irs

ewslet-

er

A’ACHAto vote at the Membership of

ACHAattended all Members of the

.aryof SecretRory Colville tKilkenzie (Kintyre) and Councillor

r is Gail Dow from ice ChaiV

The £1 for l R tAGM and to receive

entitles you ACHAAof AGM. first s’HAA’

on who Associatiof the Many thanks also to

kes up the vacancy atntyre) and Councillor Gail Dow from

eu

ho ocy r

Freephone 0800 028 2755

our Freephone number to report a This is now just

for ‘out of hours’ber to callFreephone number

one 0800 028 2755

ir: arephone number to report a

one numberrjust emergenci‘out of hours’

alongside a num-numberr

755

eport a so call

s. egencinum-

one sent out to you. Fiona on 01546 60 4095 to have available at any life Membershi

Annual Report. s’ACHA

to you. 46 60 4095 to have

fice or calofffice or calACHAAny on Form is ApplicatiphiThe £1 for ual Report.

lalm is or

done and tell us what you think. faction formRemember to ask for a

for the call. ill be charged wou call thyse note that if Plea

d tell us what you think. ir has been ater your repaffter your repmirs Satis-aRepto ask for a

e call. mobile phone ynumber from a is u call th

ink. as been

Satis-

ou phone y

RLE

YRLE

Y

Campbeltown Regeneration Project took a step further recently when around 150 local people came along to talk to ACHA staff and the design team and see draft house designs and layouts. The proposals are for the former Parliament Place and Broad Street sites. A Steering Group of local people have been in-volved from the beginning of this project.

A Brighter Future ….. Low energy light bulbs use 80% less electricity and used around the house save you lots of money (an average of £9 per year each). They last around 12 times longer than normal bulbs also saving you money. Different sizes and shapes of low energy bulbs are being offered now along with a softer glow appearance allowing them to be used anywhere round your home including table lamps. ACHA tenants in sheltered housing and all new ACHA tenants are being given two low energy light bulbs (some conditions apply). The initiative is a partnership between ACHA and Scottish Gas and is designed to encourage more people to use low energy bulbs.

Mr Ferguson from Caledonian Court in Ardrishaig receiving his new light bulbs from sheltered housing Warden, Bell Hatton.

Don’t go into debt for Christmas …….. Scotwest Credit Union offers a brilliant savings account for Christmas 2008 - you can start paying in from late November so now is the time. The application form (pictured right) is enclosed with this newsletter. You can pay a weekly or monthly contribution to this through any ACHA office or better still, set up a direct debit from your bank account. There are local credit unions that may be able to offer a similar savings scheme:

South Kintyre Credit Union tel. 01586 55 3368 Islay and Jura Credit Union tel. 01496 30 2225 Bute Credit Union tel. 01700 50 2000

150 local people came along to tCampbeltown Regene

aople came along to tration Project wn Regene

f and the design team and see afff and the design team and see stACHAAlk to atook a step further roject

d the design team and see recently when around urther

nd see n around

volved from the beginning of this project. Place and Broad S

t house designs and layoutdrafft house designs and layoutp

the beginning of this project. SAAtes. treet siroad S

s. designs and layoutp g

use 80% less electricity Brighter Future ….. A

project. oGroup of lteering S

The proposals are fo

a80% less electricity righter Future …..

e have been in-cal peopler Parliament r the formfo

g

and used around the house Low energy light bul..

en in-ament

e house bs bul

newlamps. Abe used anywhere round yoalong with a softer glow appshapes of low energy bulbulbs also savieach). They last around save you lots of money

ACHA tenants are being given two low energy HA tenants in sheltered housing and all Cps. A

sed anywhere round yog with a softer glow app

pes of low energy bulng you money. Different sizes and s also savi

h). They last around (e you lots of money

being given two low energy sheltered housing and all

nncludiur home id yoearance allowing them to appare being offered now bsl

oney. Different sizes and 12 times longer than normal an average of £9 per year

energy and all g table

g them to d now es and n normal

er year

rden, Bell Hatton. housing Wanew light bulbs from sheltered Court in Ardrishaig receMr Ferguson from Cale

Scotwest Credit Union ofDon’t go into debt for Christmas ……..

energy bulbs. designed to encourage morepartnership between ACHA and Scottish Gas and is light bulbs (some conditions applneww

, Bell Hatton. rom sheltered

iving his aig recedonian m Cale

a brillfers edit Union offfers o debt for Christmas ……..

gy bulbs. gned to encourage morenership between ACHA and Scottish Gas and is bulbs (some conditions applACHA tenants are being given two low energy

iant savings account rillas ……..

e to use low peoplmoreHA and Scottish Gas and is

he initiatiy). Tons applbeing given two low energy

unt

ow s and is

ve is aiatienergy

your bank account. ofACHAAany

y a weekly or monthly contributiacan p(pictured right) is enclosed with this newsletterNovember so now ifor Christmas 2008 - you can

There are local credit unions that ccount. set up a direct debit from fice or better still,ffice or better still,

eekly or monthly contributiht) is enclosed with this newsletter

The applicatithe time. so now iasts 2008 - you can

cal credit unions that et up a direct debit from

on to this through tributiuoYYo.his newsletter

on form he applicatiying in from late aart p

g

at om ugh

e

Bute Credit Union Islay and Jura Credit UnSouth Kintyre Credit Union tel

may be able to of

tel. 01700 50 2000 t Union ion tel. 01496 30 2225 ura Credit Un

yre Credit Union tel

r savings scheme: afer a similto offfer a simil

l. 01700 50 2000 l. 01496 30 2225 . 01586 55 3368 l

vings scheme: