NEWSWinter 2018

In July ANCHO’s tenants voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new partnership with Cairn Housing Association. 61% of tenants cast their vote in the ballot run by the Electoral Reform Service, with 94% of them voting YES! This meant that the new Cairn Group could start delivering on the partnership promises made to you when the partnership started.

The partnership promises in a nutshell

• Local services from the ANCHO team in Irvine, with support from Cairn

• £4.5 million in additional investment in your community, with hundreds of new kitchens and other home improvements

• An affordable rent guarantee for five years, with lower rent increases than proposed by a stand-alone ANCHO

• The potential to develop new affordable homes in North Ayrshire

The first tangible sign of the partnership is well underway with the start of an external wall insulation and re-roofing programme in our Castlepark estate, delivered by ANCHO with the support of the Cairn Group. External wall insulation can save on your energy bills and will go a long way to reach ANCHO’s

target of meeting the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing by December 2020.

We’ve also been fitting new kitchens in Dreghorn, Springside and Irvine, with 54 to be completed by the end of February. We’re planning to fit 560 new kitchens, that’s four in every five ANCHO homes, over the next five years.

ANCHO and Cairn are also working closely with colleagues in North Ayrshire Council to explore opportunities for building new homes to meet local needs.

So, what does this mean for you?

Your day-to-day tenancy services will still be managed by the same ANCHO team, but with additional back-office support from the Cairn Group. You’ll also continue to receive your repairs service from our partners at Rodgers and Johnston. Our colleagues at Cairn are helping with things like Finance and IT, so that our team at ANCHO can dedicate more of their time to providing excellent frontline customer services and being out and about in our communities meeting with tenants.

Cairn and ANCHO partnership goes live

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“I love my new kitchen and I’ve had a nice wee clear out. The contractor came along with some samples and I picked out my colours, handles and worktop. The crew that put it in were fantastic and I’d recommend them. They’ve done a perfect job for me and I couldn’t fault the chaps.”

“I’m really happy with the new kitchen and the missus is chuffed. We’ve just got a bit of tiling and flooring to finish off now.”Mr Smith from Dreghorn

Mr McIlwraith from Dreghorn

We are inviting tenants to get involved with a new tenants’ group who will work with ANCHO and Cairn to monitor how the partnership promises to you are being kept. This is an important role in the new partnership and is about ensuring that we are completely open about how the promises are being delivered.

If you are thinking about getting involved, please come along to a ‘chips and chat’ informal discussion about the possible role of the group at a meeting in ANCHO’s office on 10th April from 6pm to 8pm at our office at Sovereign House, Academy Road in Irvine. You bring the chat and we’ll bring the chips!

The ANCHO team will continue to work out of their office at Sovereign House, on Acade-my Road in Irvine. The ANCHO team are led by Keith Henderson, our Head of Service, and supported by our voluntary Board, who retain many local decision-making powers.

Keith is now a member of the Cairn Senior Management Team who are led by Jason MacGilp, the Cairn Group Chief Executive. Jackie Browne, the Vice-Chair of the ANCHO Board, is now also a member of the Cairn Group Board, which has overall responsibility for the governance of the group partners.

“This has been an important change for the tenants and staff at ANCHO. Everyone has shown a great deal of trust in Cairn and we

are determined to honour that and deliver the promises we have made to you. The ANCHO and Cairn teams are already working well together, and everyone is looking forward to these first important steps in our journey together.”Jason MacGilp, Cairn Group Chief Executive

Sonya Campbell Perry, ANCHO’s Chairperson, said:“We are delighted to have started our new partnership with Cairn. Both organisations, as part of the new Cairn Group, are committed to creating thriving, well run and sustainable communities that people are proud to call home. This partnership will bring considerable benefits to ANCHO tenants.”

Our team at ANCHO

Your opportunity to get involved

Tenants vote for the partnership in formal ballot

ANCHO shareholding members vote for rule changes

Consent granted from the Scottish Housing Regulator

Consent granted from lenders

Consent granted from the Financial Conduct Authority

Partnership commenced on 1 November 2018

What's happened so far?

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Preparing your car for winter

Just as you dress yourself in extra layers and ready your house to protect it from the cold, your car needs some tender loving care to make it through the winter as well. These seven tips should help you prepare your car for winter.

1. Get your car serviced. Making sure your car is in good working order before winter arrive might reduce your chance of a breakdown.

2. Look after your tyres. Lower the risk of skidding by checking that your tyre pressure and tread are correct before you drive. Road safety experts recommend 3mm of depth for winter driving.

3. Look after your lights. It is crucial to ensure all your lights are clean and working properly. Turn on your dipped headlights whenever you’re driving. If you don’t, you will not only find it difficult to see the road clearly, you also run the risk of not being seen by other drivers.

4. Fill up your fuel. You may need to keep warm by keeping the engine running if you have to stop for an accident or a breakdown.

5. Ensure you can see. Keep your windscreen clean and clear, stock up on screen wash and check your wiper blades are in good condition.

6. Be prepared. It is a sensible idea to put together a inter survival kit so that you are prepared should you break down or have an accident. Remember to include a torch, warm clothes, blankets, food, ice scraper and a first aide kit. Charge your mobile phone before you leave and make sure the number of your car breakdown service is stored in it.

7. Drive safely. Accelerate gently, turn slowly, and break carefully and early. Anticipate turns, stops and lane changes well before they occur. Keep a safe distance from the car in front as stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads.

Get ready for winterHere are some hints and tips to help you have a safe and happy festive period.

Protect your water pipes

General advice

• Make sure pipes and tanks in your loft space are lagged. Never insulate beneath the water tank in the loft. It needs some heat to penetrate from below.

• In very cold weather it is important to keep your heating on all the time at a very low heat, especially if you are going away for prolonged periods during winter.

• It’s also worth letting us know and giving us a contact number so we can reach you if there is an emergency.

• Make sure you know where your stopcock is. This is normally found where the water pipe enters your house – usually under the kitchen sink or in your bathroom.

• Know where the gatevalves for the hot and cold water tanks are. They are usually by the hot water and cold water tanks.

• Make sure that you can easily turn all taps and valves.

Frozen pipes

• Turn off the water at the main stopcock.• You are probably best to leave the pipes frozen, but you may try to thaw them using hot

water bottles or a hairdryer.• If the hot water system is frozen, turn off the water heater/boiler.

Burst pipes

• Turn off the water at the main stopcock.• Turn off any water heaters/boiler.• Turn on all taps to drain water from the system. This may take about 15 minutes.• When the water stops running, turn all taps off.• If electrics are getting wet, do not touch. Turn off electricity at the consumer unit/fuse box,

but only if it is safe to do so.

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The festive period is fun, but expensive. Here are a few top tips to stretch the pounds so you don’t end up with a financial hangover.

Top Tips for Christmas Savings

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Work out a budget. Make a list of what you expect to spend on Christmas, and don’t stop at presents. Include food, socialising and transport. Keep track of what you spend, and don’t go over your budget.

Online or Offline? Shopping online is often cheaper than buying in-store, but not always. Keep an eye out for special offers and look online and in newspapers for discount vouchers.

Christmas food. The variety of festive food on sale in the run-up to Christmas is staggering. Where possible look for special offers, such as two-for-one deals, but only on items that you really need, rather than on treats you can do without.

DIY Christmas. Christmas is a time to be creative. You could look to make your own decorations, cakes and party snacks rather than rely on what the high street has to offer.

Sales, sales, sales. Even before Christmas has arrived some retailers will be off- loading goods that they don’t think will sell out in time. Also, don’t forget to stock up on cut-price wrapping paper, cards and decorations.

Save on postage. Post Christmas cards by hand wherever possible. Otherwise, plan ahead and make the second-class deadline (Thursday 18th Dec) to save on postage. Better still, send an e-card!

Credit warning. Payday loans are advertised as providing quick access to cash, but they are not cheap if you can’t repay in full on time. Ensure you explore the alternatives before considering this option (for example, join a local credit union).

New Years resolution. Come January next Christmas will seem a long way off, but it’s a good idea to open a savings account and put a few pounds in each week to help fund Christmas 2019.

Christmas at ANCHOEveryone at ANCHO would like to wish you a very happy and healthy time over the festive season and best wishes for 2019.

Please note, we will be closing on Christ-mas Eve at 12.30pm and reopening again on Friday 4th January.

You can still report emergency repairs during this time. Call us on 03030 300 999, where you will be given three options:

Option 1 – if you think you have a gas leakOption 2 –if you have a problem with your heating or hot waterOption 3 – if you have any other emergency repair

As part of the new social security powers in Scotland, you now have a choice on how you are paid Universal Credit (UC).

You can choose to have:• Your UC paid twice a month or monthly• The housing element paid directly to you or

your landlord

You will be offered the new choices through your UC online account following your first payment.

Twice monthly payments

If you choose twice monthly payments you will be advised by the DWP online when your first half payment is due. The monthly payment will be split and paid twice a month. You will get the same amount of money over the month; it will just be in two payments instead on one.

Housing costs direct to ANCHO

If you choose this option it can take up to four weeks after you receive your UC payment before ANCHO receives your rent payment. This may lead to rent arrears on your rent account. There-fore, dependant on the level of arrears you may still receive reminder letters or notices. If you don’t want your housing costs paid to yourself alternatives are available. First Alliance Credit Union offer a Budgeting Account or Secure Rent Service which can help you budget and make payments from your benefit.

To find out more about this contact First Alliance on 01294 557123, your Housing Officer or the Better Off team at ANCHO.

Universal Credit – Scottish Government Choices

Paying your rentYour tenancy agreement requires that rent should be paid monthly in advance. For example, before the end of December you should pay your rent for the month of January.

We have recently reviewed our income management procedures and found out that we have not consistently made sure that all tenants are paying us in advance.

If you are one of the affected tenants, we will be writing to you to let you know how much more you must pay each month until you have caught up. We are very aware of the financial pressures on households, so please get in touch if you have concerns about the extra payments and we will work out a payment plan together.

Christmas Hampers

Our Christmas elves have been busy! They’ve been out delivering our Christmas hampers to all of our older tenants who requested one. We hope you enjoy them.

ANCHO is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefits Societies Act 2014, registered number 2559R(S). Registered with the Scottish Housing Regulator, registered number 306. Recognised as a Scottish Charity, registered number SCO36082. Registered Property Factor, registered number PF000346.

HEAD OFFICEANCHO Ltd. Sovereign House, Academy Road, Irvine KA12 8RL

TELEPHONE 01294 313 121

EMAIL mail@ancho.co.uk

WEBSITE www.ancho.co.uk

part of the This newsletter is available on

CD, in Braille, in large print and in community

languages.

Service PlusOur Service Plus scheme is a reward scheme for tenants.

How do you qualify?

To be eligible for Service Plus, you must, at the end of each quarter, have owed no debt (rent, rechargeable repairs etc.) to ANCHO and have had no verbal warnings or warning letters during the previous six months.

What can you win

Eligible tenants are entered into a prize draw every three months and can be nominated for one of our annual ‘Good Neighbour’ awards.

Our special Christmas prize draw winners are:

Miss Stirling, Dreghorn

Mr & Mrs McDougall, IrvineMr McGeachie, IrvineMrs McCann, IrvineMr Mauchlen, Irvine

Mrs Ferguson, IrvineMr Lambie, Irvine

Mrs Taylor, Irvine

Miss Agnew, Irvine Mr and Mrs McFarlane, KilwinningMiss Jeffries, Irvine

• Regularly check your smoke alarms are working. Replace batteries if necessary.

• Consider fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen. It will give you early warning of a cooking fire.

• Keep portable heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes. Unplug or switch them off when you go out or go to bed

• Never leave an electric fire switched on when you are in bed, unless it is marked ‘suitable for all night use’. Check for damage like scorch marks, exposed wires or fraying fabric

• If you have been drinking alcohol, do not cook.• Think about how you would get out of the house

if you were to have a fire. If there is a fire in your home, close the door where the fire is. This will help protect your escape route and stop the fire spreading so quickly. Get out, stay out and dial 999.

• Smoking is the main cause of death from fire in the home. Make sure cigarettes are out properly. Never smoke in bed. Do not smoke in your chair if you have been drinking or are feeling tired.

• Make sure candles are extinguished before you go to bed and never leave them unattended.

• At night-time, switch off and unplug all electrical appliances not designed to be left on overnight. Close all doors – it can keep your escape route free from smoke and may stop a fire spreading.

• An important reminder at this time of year – make sure you turn off Christmas tree lights when you go out and go to bed. Keep naked flames away from real Christmas trees; dry trees are incredibly flammable.

The Scottish Fire & Rescue provide free home safety visits. Call 0800 0731 999, text FIRE to 80800 or visit firescotland.gov.uk

Fire safety tips

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