Housing group gets a glowing report

Ardenglen success

Ardenglen Housing Association’s recent AGM heard stories about the Castlemilk community pulling together during coronavirus.

Held remotely because of the ongoing restrictions, the meeting saw chief executive Audrey Simpson pay tribute to the work of the Castlemilk Together organisation, which delivered thousands of meals during lockdown, particularly to isolated and vulnerable tenants.

Despite the challenges, Ms Simpson highlighted key successes during the organisation’s 30th year including:

 The launch of the £ 3million Cathkin 7 development of 22 homes

 The collection of 97.7 per cent of rent

 An average of just 8.6 days to allocate empty homes

95.3 per cent of repairs carried out correctly first time

92 per cent of tenants satisfied with the repairs service.

Ms Simpson said: “I am delighted to present such a positive scorecard.

“It is a reflection on the hard work and commitment of our staff and I want to take this opportunity to thank them.

“The year ahead could be our greatest challenge yet, building on our recovery from the pandemic, but being mindful that it remains a very real issue.

“We will be developing a new business plan and looking to have a root and branch review of our operating world.

“I also want to offer my sincere thanks to our board of management for their ongoing dedication and commitment to Ardenglen.”

The AGM was the final one for cha i rwoman Maureen Cope MBE who has relinquished the role, but will remain on the board.

Ma u r e e n has a distinguished record in community activism and is one of the most well-known names within the housing association movement in Scotland.

Her decades of dedication to Castlemilk is unmatched and she is a much-admired figure locally and beyond.

There also were two key appointments following the AGM – the election of a new chair Liz McKenzie following a period as vice chair, and Mark Ingram as vice chair.

A brief special general meeting was also held prior to the AGM to approve a change in the rules governing the Association.