Paul Torrance, Ayrshire Housing’s chair reports another successful year. He was speaking at the AGM this evening.
He said “We’re about providing high quality housing for a rent that people can afford. Many of our tenants face falling wages and benefits. So the Board is trying to do what it can to help. We are committed to keeping rent increases as low as possible whilst still guaranteeing quality services. This year, we ensured that the rent increase was in line with prices generally. Our new money advice service is also proving a real boon to many tenants and their families.”
He continued “We face many financial challenges. Still, we were delighted to complete a new development in Maybole earlier this year. We got a prestigious Saltire design award for this. We want to build more new houses but the level of government grant means that we have to be very cautious about taking forward the new development opportunities that we have secured to the building stage”.
The members heard a presentation on the association’s solid performance as it delivers on the Scottish Social Housing Charter. They were pleased to hear that 50 tenants have asked to be involved in offering comment and feedback on the association’s performance.
The AGM confirmed the appointment of three new Board members following a ballot in the community constituency. The Board consists of 5 tenants, 5 community volunteers and three South Ayrshire Councillors.
The meeting closed with presentations to the winners of the association’s every popular garden and pet competitions.