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Scottish Government urged to fully mitigate impact of the ‘bedroom tax’
Campaigners have called on the Scottish Government to fully mitigate the impact of the ‘bedroom tax’ and “protect tenants against unworkable and outright nasty politics”.
Given evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee on petition PE01496, Alan Wyllie from the No2Bedroom Tax Campaign called on the Scottish Government to “make approximately £50 million available to mitigate all effects of the bedroom tax in Scotland”, saying the situation for many tenants was now “desperate”.
Last week the Scottish Government confirmed it would continue to help tackle the effects of Westminster cuts by committing £20 million in Scotland’s Budget Bill 2014-15 to supporting those affected by the bedroom tax.
The pledge follows the £20 million the Scottish Government allocated to local authorities to add to its Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) budget to bring the total to £35 million this financial year. This allocation topped up the payments in each local authority to the maximum permitted under UK legislation.
More than 45,000 households in Scotland have received special financial help from councils since the changes to housing benefit last April.
Scottish Labour are also calling for the full mitigation of the cut to be increased from £20m to £50m annually and are in discussions with the Scottish Government to "consign the bedroom tax to history in Scotland right here right now".
Mr Wyllie accepted the level of Discretionary Housing Payments were at their highest level possible but said the Scottish government could supplement the income streams of social regulated landlords or create a prevention of homelessness fund to address the crisis.
Jack Ferguson from Unite, also from the No2Bedroom Tax Campaign highlighted the thousands of social housing tenants in the UK who will now have to receive money back after the removal of the spare room subsidy was wrongly applied to them.
Mr Ferguson told MSPs fully mitigating the bedroom tax would be "one of the most important decisions the parliament's probably ever taken in its history" and the level of emergency required action urgently to address the "social chaos being caused by this policy".
More evidence on the petition was given in the second session by David Bookbinder from the Chartered Institute of Housing; David Ogilvie from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Jim Hayton from the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers.
Watch both sessions by clicking the links below (via the BBC):
Welfare Reform Committee 1
Welfare Reform Committee 2
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Blog: The Housing Bill - a question of trust
 By David Bookbinder, head of policy and public affairs at CIH Scotland
Can Scotland’s social landlords be trusted? If the Housing Bill gives council and housing association landlords an element of discretion in a few specific areas of tenancy and allocations law, will it be exercised fairly and proportionately?
No. Well, not according to three of the organisations which gave evidence on the Bill to Holyrood’s Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee last week. Shelter Scotland, the Legal Services Agency and Govan Law Centre joined forces in opposing a number of the Bill’s measures, and what seemed to be behind their opposition was a fundamental lack of trust in social landlords.
Let me give a few examples.
The Bill removes the prohibition on landlords taking age into account in allocations. Currently, if a landlord wants to allocate a few non-specialist, ground floor houses to older people, it can’t do so lawfully. In allowing age to take account of age, the Bill reinforces the Equality Act duty on landlords not to discriminate unfairly on age grounds. But landlords will use this measure to avoid housing younger people, argue the aforementioned bodies.
And the Bill also states that repossession should be granted where a landlord seeks it after the tenant has been convicted for using the house for illegal purposes or for an offence in or near the house punishable by imprisonment. Our sense is that landlords aren’t interested in evicting someone convicted of an offence where no-one else was harmed. We expect the new measure to help in a small number of difficult, protracted cases involving serious anti social behaviour where the landlord has struggled to build a successful case, often because of a lack of willing witnesses. But, argued Shelter and LSA last week, even after conviction it should still be for a sheriff to decide if eviction is reasonable: this can’t be left to landlords.
And Shelter wants to see the Bill amended so that all homelessness referrals from councils to housing associations are made through a ‘Section 5’ mechanism, rather than through less formal nominations arrangements in some areas. This would, they assert, increase transparency and enable councils to see more clearly which associations are supporting the council in housing homeless people. What strikes CIH as somewhat odd here is that if any council feels that informal referrals aren’t working, it can simply decide to move to using Section 5.
It’s not CIH Scotland’s job to defend social landlords, even if most of our members work for them. Our primary interest is in seeing high standards of service from housing professionals. But any legislation has to allow appropriate exercising of discretion. Housing management isn’t always an easy business and judgements in tricky circumstances have to be made from time to time. Landlords probably don’t get it right every time.
But are serial misjudgements or abuses of discretion really a problem? Needless to say, we hope not. Apart from a landlord’s internal checks and balances, the Regulator too is there to monitor service delivery to tenants and applicants. The Bill brings strengthened rights of appeal to tenants and applicants, and the courts remain to preside over the great majority of potential repossession cases. It really doesn’t seem to us that the Bill is letting social landlords off the leash to let them penalise tenants for minor breaches, or indeed penalise applicants for being young.
The measures won’t change the world but there are some worthwhile, minor adjustments which might just provide a bit more flexibility to enable landlords to manage tenancies and stock appropriately. Our tenancy regime is infinitely more robust than England’s, and that’s a really good thing, but in providing strong rights to tenants it shouldn’t unduly straitjacket social landlords trying to do a tough job as effectively as they can.
www.cihscotland.org
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Cordale set for vital Caledonia partnership vote
Tenants and members of Cordale Housing Association will today vote on the possibility of establishing a constitutional partnership with Caledonia Housing Association amid “serious financial difficulties” at Cordale.
Cordale’s Management Committee call a second Special General Meeting after the first SGM, held in September 2013, failed to achieve a positive vote for the Rule change that is needed to allow Cordale to become a member of the Caledonia Group.
Since then the Association has consulted over 100 tenants and members through its ‘Save Cordale’ campaign to ensure they are fully aware of the key financial risks.
The campaign offers a stark reminder to tenants and members that Cordale will “run out of money in 2014” and must partner with another housing association to “help plug the serious financial gaps”.
Brenda Higgins, Cordale’s interim chief executive, said: “Following an extensive member consultation programme, Cordale’s Management Committee decided to call a second Special General Meeting, which will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2014.
“The Association has serious financial difficulties and after careful consideration, the Management Committee decided to seek a partnership with another housing association. Expressions of Interest were sought and Caledonia Housing Association was selected based on performance and reputation, commitment to retain local service delivery, a three-year rent guarantee, capped at the rate of inflation and a commitment to the delivery of new homes.
“In the run up to the SGM Cordale has been providing detailed information to members about the partnership with Caledonia highlighting the main benefits of the proposal through a ‘Save Cordale’ campaign. This campaign was designed to provide the information required by our members to enable them to make an informed decision on the proposed partnership.
“A yes vote at the SGM will ensure that Cordale will continue to be a landlord, provide services locally, and will become part of the Caledonia group structure.”
In February last year, the Committee chose Caledonia as its preferred partner and started discussions about how that might work and to agree what the partnership would deliver for the local community.
Caledonia’s chief executive, Julie Cosgrove, added: “Caledonia Housing Association and Cordale Housing Association are working together to form a partnership within a group structure, which will see both Associations continue as separate Registered Social Landlords. This has been an important and key aspect of our discussions to date.
“We believe that there is a great deal of synergy between each Association. Both Associations place our tenants and quality at the heart of our service. This partnership proposal will allow us to bring our strengths together for the benefit of both organisations and their tenants.
“It will also allow Cordale’s financial difficulties to be addressed whilst retaining Cordale’s jobs, local office and services. There are some exciting prospects which the partnership will bring, including investment in new homes in the area on sites which are currently undeveloped and lying vacant.”
www.cordalehousing.org.uk
caledoniaha.co.uk
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Sunday Times to name Wheatley Group among 100 ‘Best Companies’
Housing, care and regeneration organisation, Wheatley Group, is set to be named in The Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For 2014 list.
Made up of Glasgow Housing Association, Cube Housing Association, West Lothian Housing Partnership, YourPlace Property Management and Lowther Homes, the Group is also set to welcome Loretto Housing and Loretto Care as a new partner.
Wheatley has been awarded two stars in the Best Companies “b heard” accreditation survey, putting the Group in the “ Outstanding Organisation” category for Employee Engagement.
Wheatley Group chief executive Martin Armstrong
It is the first time Wheatley Group has entered the Sunday Times competition, although its biggest partner organisation, Glasgow Housing Association, was included in the Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For two years ago, at the first time of asking.
Wheatley Group chief executive, Martin Armstrong, said: “We are delighted to feature in this list as a relatively new organisation.
“Our people are our greatest asset and this accolade is not only an important early milestone for us, but one that recognises the passion and enthusiasm staff across the Group bring to their work, day in, day out.”
The final list positions will be revealed at an event in London in February, with the full list being published by the Sunday Times on Sunday 16 March.
www.wheatley-group.com
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DWP publishes Universal Credit and rented housing FAQs
 The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has a published a document full of frequently asked questions regarding Universal Credit and rented housing.
The document aims to provide private and social sector landlords with current information about Universal Credit and to help them understand what they can do to help their tenants prepare for the move to direct payments.
It explains how Universal Credit will ensure that the appropriate protections and safeguards are in place – both the trigger points for DWP intervention and recovery of arrears where they occur, and the budgeting and payment support for tenants who may need help moving to the new system. This includes putting in place alternative payment arrangements, for example managed payment from DWP to the landlord for those who need it, following conversations with both the tenant and landlord.
The 37 questions cover ten topics which include:
1. Universal Credit and the Housing Costs Element – an introduction
2. Paying Rent
3. Evidence requirements and checking claims
4. Calculating rent
5. Paying for two homes
6. Service charges
7. Support and Alternative Payment Arrangements
8. Budgeting support
9. Local support services
10. Specialist Accommodation Needs
The DWP said: “We remain committed to working closely with the rented housing sector to ensure implementation is safe and information is available.”
www.gov.uk
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Green light for £150m Caltongate development
The City of Edinburgh Council has approved revived plans to develop a derelict gap site in the city.
The Caltongate project will include a £150 million mix of leisure, retail and offices linking New Street and East Market Street with Waverley Station and the Royal Mile.
It will be centred around a £6.5m civic square with office space, 400 hotel bedrooms and commercial units.
An international consortium headed by Artisan Real Estate Investors is behind the 220,000 sq ft development.
Artisan also previously got planning permission for 145 residential units and 40 affordable homes.
A bus garage and gas works previously occupied a large part of the site.
There was a split in the decision at Edinburgh Council's Development Management Sub Committee on Wednesday with eight councillors for it and six against.
Ian Perry, Edinburgh City Council's convener of the planning committee, said: "First of all, I would like to thank those that have taken the time and effort to contribute to the debate about this site over the last 10 years.
"Following an 18-month consultation period on the current plans, it is great news that we finally have a decision on a development which I believe will breathe new life into a long standing vacant site in the heart of the city.
"The plans we considered today will preserve the listed Canongate Venture building, the historic Sailor's Ark frontage on the Royal Mile, and give an exciting new life to the arches on East Market Street.
"There will be substantial investment across the site in the public realm and the creation of a new public square will make the area more attractive and pedestrian friendly.
"A new viewing area will be built for people to enjoy the views to Calton Hill from Johnston Terrace."
Mr Perry added: "As the development has a mix of uses it will attract many more people to the area and with new housing on adjacent sites, including 40 affordable homes that are already being built, it will bring a real boost to the Old Town community.
"The economic benefit of this new development is huge and is estimated to bring in £43m to the local economy each year, as well as creating almost 2,000 jobs."
www.edinburgh.gov.uk
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SFHA's Susan Torrance awarded OBE
 The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has congratulated Susan Torrance on being awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Susan, who has been a policy manager at the SFHA since 2012, was awarded the honour for services to affordable housing in her previous role as chief executive of Highland Housing Alliance (HHA).
Susan's OBE was announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June, and she collected the award in person at Buckingham Palace last week.
Mary Taylor, chief executive of the SFHA, said: “I am delighted that Susan's hard work and passion for affordable housing have been recognised in this way. It is very well deserved and on behalf of the SFHA I would like to congratulate her on this achievement."
Susan added: “I am honoured and overwhelmed to receive this award for my contribution to affordable housing in the Highlands. A lot of folk have worked with me to make possible the achievements that have now been acknowledged.”
www.sfha.co.uk
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Thenue Housing provides update on subsiding home
 Glasgow City Council is to issue a ‘Dangerous Building Notice’ on a Calton home which has been the subject of significant subsidence due to the appearance of a large hole in the garden.
The home, at 202 Millroad Drive, is owner occupied but is next door to one of Thenue Housing’s properties.
The housing association has been aware of the ongoing situation and has since decanted its tenant living next door to the property.
The Dangerous Building Notice follows an assessment of the property by the city council’s building control department.
It is anticipated that this Notice may result in the demolition of the property.
Thenue Housing said it “continues to monitor this situation on a daily basis in consultation with our structural engineering advisors. At all times the safety of our tenants is our prime concern”.
www.thenuehousing.co.uk
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Shettleston residents invited to ‘Walk Back to the Future’
 Shettleston residents have the chance to take part in a new project that will celebrate the history and heritage of their community thanks to an award from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
‘ Walking Back to the Future’ will bring the community together to develop a heritage trail that charts Shettleston’s past and celebrates the resilience of its residents, past and present.
The trail will take people on a walk through Shettleston, highlighting landmarks and buildings of historical interest via an accompanying leaflet or smart phone app.
The project is the brainchild of Fuse Youth Café and Shettleston Housing Association who believe it will be a lasting legacy of 2014 and the Commonwealth Games taking place nearby.
To get the project off the ground, Shettleston residents – or indeed anybody with an interest in Shettleston’s heritage - are invited to attend a launch day on Thursday 6th February at the Fuse Youth Café at 1567 Shettleston Road. Two sessions have been scheduled for 2.30pm and 6.30pm at which people can find out more about the project and how they can get involved. Community history company, Northlight Heritage, who will be coordinating the project and helping participants delve into the past, will be on hand along with Shettleston’s own resident historians, the Shettleston Local History Group.
Walking Back to the Future aims to involve all sectors of the community, from primary school children to sheltered housing residents, and everybody in between. Workshops will be set up around themes to include employment, education, housing, sport and recreation and social history, and participants will be able to choose the area that interests them most.
Once a final route and landmarks have been agreed, the trail will have both printed leaflets and an app that can be accessed via smart phones to accompany walkers on their journey through Shettleston’s heritage. During the two weeks of the Commonwealth Games the project team hopes to offer guided walks to visitors, conducted by local volunteers.
Fuse Youth Café manager, Gerry Baldwin, said: “We believe Walking Back to the Future will be a true inter-generational project with older and younger members of the community working together and learning from each other. This is a great opportunity for Shettleston’s young people to make a positive contribution to their community.”
Shettleston Housing Association director, Chris Cunningham, added: “The Association is pleased that Shettleston will have a lasting legacy of 2014 in the form of the heritage trail. Our community has a lot to be proud of and we welcome the opportunity to tell everybody about it.”
The Shettleston Local History Group said they were delighted to be involved in the project and are looking forward to Shettleston’s untold stories being unearthed and made known.
www.shettleston.co.uk
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Carduus launch long-term bespoke lending programme
 Carduus, the only Scottish based provider of long-term funding to housing associations, has confirmed plans to enhance its offering through 2014.
Carduus is well known as a vehicle for aggregated access to the fixed interest long-term funding within the capital markets and is now launching bespoke long-term funding to housing association.
Brian Gilmour, managing director of Carduus, confirmed: “Carduus have had a favourable response to their 2013 confirmation of the details of our lending programme.
“We have now over £400m of indicative demand for fixed interest long-term borrowings through capital markets. The dialogue this has allowed us to have with capital market advisers and institutional investors means that we are now able to offer those RSLs for whom being part of an aggregated vehicle is not the best solution, a bespoke lending package.”
2013 was another year of record low interest rates in the bond markets with institutional investors keen to secure safe long-term investments such as housing association bonds.
The volume of 2012 issuances meant that there was a dearth for supply in 2013 although there was aburst in the last quarter with just under £1bn of new housing association bonds issued by English based RSLs.
This dearth of supply in conjunction with anticipated changes in the general economy has prompted institutional investors to enter into dialogue with Carduus for the deliverance of more bespoke housing association finance.
Brian Gilmour added: “The aggregating vehicle is an excellent way for institutional investors to find safe secure investments. As we have identified many times, with billions of pounds required to be invested often small several hundred million pound investment programmes are not suitable for these large institutions, mainly pension houses, however increasingly we are seeing that these lead onto bespoke conversations.
“Despite the many advantages of participating in an aggregating vehicle there are some RSLs whose specific requirements and timing no longer suit involvement in an aggregating vehicle therefore we are now able to offer bespoke lending.”
The bespoke lending will still involve funding terms beyond 20 years, however, asset cover ratios and interest rates will be determined to fit with the individual needs of the RSLs involved. Such bespoke lending will principally be for those RSLs looking to borrow above £6m and mainly above £10m and it is most likely to suit those RSLs looking to re-finance.
For further information about bespoke borrowing or participation in an aggregated vehicle please contact Carduus on 0141 243 4470 or info@carduus.com.
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Property Energy Manager – Bield
 PROPERTY ENERGY MANAGER (3 YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT)
SCOTLAND AREA – BASED IN GLASGOW
£28,441 - £30,588 per annum + car allowance/lease car
At Bield we provide a wide range of housing, care and support services. We are committed to providing care and support which enables older people to make their own choices and lead independent lives.
We are looking for an experienced energy professional to join our Property Services team as a Property Energy Manager. This new role will liaise with a wide range of disciplines within the organisation and work with existing technical and non-technical staff in improving the living environment of our customers. With an annual energy spend of £3M and an annual property spend of £10M there are considerable opportunities for the right candidate to influence and improve this key area of the business. The main purpose of the job will be to manage the energy requirements of our existing and future property assets through:
- Developing a strategic approach to our energy purchase, management and data analysis.
- Controlling and co-ordinating all energy needs for the business and investigate where improvements can reduce cost whilst maintaining or improving the services we provide.
- Engaging and supporting our customers and staff in an on-going learning and development programme to minimise energy usage.
It is expected you will have the following essential skills and experience;
- A customer-orientated approach to your work.
- Experience of working in the field of energy management or provision.
- Experience of administering and managing substantial budgets.
- Practical experience of specifying or managing energy related improvement works.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise, plan and co-ordinate a varied workload in different locations.
- Experience of securing grant funding for revenue projects or property related capital works.
- Excellent organisational, IT and interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with staff, tenants, owners and contractors.
- Membership of the Energy Institute (or appropriate body) together with a degree or equivalent qualification in Energy or Energy related subject, or relevant work experience in a similar role.
As you will be required to travel between the developments, a current driving licence is essential.
Hours of employment are 35 per week organised over Monday to Friday with a flexi-time system in operation.
In return we offer excellent benefits including a choice of pension schemes, opportunities for development and 7 weeks annual leave.
Please visit our website for further information and an application pack or telephone 0131 273 4020 (answering service) or 0131 273 4071 (general enquiries).
Please note that Interviews will be held on either Tuesday 18 or Thursday 20 February 2014 in Glasgow.
Closing date for applications is Friday 7 February 2014.
We are an IIP employer and Positive About Disabled People
Striving to be an equal opportunities employer
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Welfare Reform Housing Officer – East Renfrewshire Council
 ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
POST: Welfare Reform Housing Officer (Temporary until end of March 2015)
REF: ERN001335
GRADE: Grade 8
SALARY: £22,921 - £26,589 (£12.56 to £14.57 per hour)
HOURS: 35 per week
LOCATION: 211 Main Street, Barrhead
East Renfrewshire Council’s Housing Service are seeking a highly motivated individual to join the Housing Allocation Team to work specifically on developing a housing options and advice guide in order to mitigate the impact on welfare reform and in particular to prevent homelessness and to provide the delivery of advice options to those in need.
The post is will be subject to a Basic Disclosure check.
Closing date for applications: midnight on Sunday 9 February 2014
Application Forms and Recruitment Packs can be obtained online www.myjobscotland.gov.uk and quoting the above reference number or by telephoning 0141 577 3008 or alternatively by e-mailing customerservices@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.
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Procurement & Quality Officer – Viewpoint Housing Association
Committed to delivering excellence in Housing, Care and Support Services for older people
Viewpoint has over 60-years history of providing older people with Housing and Care of the highest quality. We have created an innovative and ambitious strategy to develop Viewpoint over the coming years. An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Housing & Property services department for an enthusiastic individual who may be looking for a new challenge.
PROCUREMENT & QUALITY OFFICER
Job Description
Working 34.5 hours per week Monday to Friday
Salary of £31,500 per annum plus Essential Car user’s allowance,
Pension and generous holiday entitlement
Do you put customers and quality at the heart of everything you do?
Do you take personal pride in getting the job done?
Are you a great listener with excellent communication?
Do you take responsibility for managing excellent performance results?
If you answer yes to all of these then you could be who we are looking for to join our Property Services team. We are seeking a procurement and quality management professional to deliver excellent procurement results across our Property Services Team. You will also lead our quality monitoring processes to ensure that we get high quality outcomes that deliver our Asset Management Strategy objectives as well as meeting our customers’ expectations.
You need to have a sound working knowledge of current best practice in procurement and experience of property maintenance as well as a flexible approach, and a willingness to respond to the dynamic and changing needs at Viewpoint.
A PVG check costing £59 (or PVG update of £18 if applicable) will be necessary for the post. The cost will be paid for by the successful candidate.
Closing date for completed applications is Tuesday 4th February 2014
with interviews being held on Wednesday 12th February 2014
For further information and to apply please visit our website www.viewpoint.org.uk. Alternatively please contact the Human Resources department for an application pack and further information, Tel: 0131 668 4247
Scottish Charity Number SC005619
Viewpoint is committed to Equality and Diversity
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Property Services Team Manager – East Renfrewshire Council
ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
POST: Property Services Team Manager
REF: ERN001324
GRADE: Grade 14
SALARY: £42,830 - £44,126 (£23.47 to £24.18 per hour)
HOURS: 35 per week
LOCATION: Barrhead Council Offices
East Renfrewshire Council Housing Services are looking for a dynamic, committed and professional Property Services Team manager to assist in making the Housing team the best council in Scotland in delivering housing and housing services for its customer.
With a extensive knowledge of the SHQS, contract management and managing a social housing property portfolio, you will assume direct responsibility for the effective management and development of Housing Services’ activity relating to the client side of Housing Services Property Management and Maintenance Functions.
The ideal candidate will have experience of change management and implementing new working practices, have a thorough knowledge of developing the client side of a repairs and maintenance programme and will be an effective user of industry standard IT software.
You will have a high level of reliability, leadership, financial acumen, customer care skills and personal integrity. If you would like an informal chat about the post call Phil Daws on 0141 577 3186
Closing date for applications: midnight on Sunday 2 February 2014
Application Forms and Recruitment Packs can be obtained online www.myjobscotland.gov.uk and quoting the above reference number or by telephoning 0141 577 3008 or alternatively by e-mailing customerservices@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.
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Services Director – FMB Scotland
 Services Director FMB Scotland
Edinburgh
C£40k and attractive package
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the largest trade association in the UK building industry, representing over 9,000 building companies, 500 of which are based in Scotland. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium –sized building firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit making, lobbying continuously for members’ interests at national and local levels.
The FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for its members, providing a range of modern and relevant business building services to save them time and money. The FMB also offers advice to consumers via its “Find a Builder” website.
The key tasks of the position are:
- Implement FMB national policy
- Manage the Scottish office and staff
- Promote and represent the FMB and its members to external stakeholders
- Maintain and support an effective Scottish Board and branch structure
- Responsible for sales and retention in Scotland as set out by the Director of Membership
You will have experience of business to business selling and must be proactive in delivering new member recruitment initiatives as well as maintaining existing members through the provision of first class service and support.
You must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills as you will be responsible for FMB Scotland’s relationship with Scottish Government departments, kindred organisations, industry bodies and the Scottish membership to whom you will give both formal and informal presentations. You will need strong influencing skills to enable you to lobby successfully on behalf of the members. First class general management skills are fundamental to the role.
You will have an understanding of how public policy is developed and how it can be influenced and you will have to engage with the media including trade and national press, TV and radio news and other news organisations.
You will have an appreciation of the workings, purpose and value of trade associations and a working knowledge of the construction sector could prove beneficial.
Please apply in writing or by e-mail with a covering letter and current CV by 4th February 2014 to:
Grahame Barn
FMB Scotland
5 New Mart Place
Edinburgh
EH14 1RW
Or
e-mail grahamebarn@fmb.org.uk
The Job Description can be viewed or downloaded here.
The Federation of Master Builders is an equal opportunities employer
www.fmb.org.uk
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Tender: Benchmarking – ANCHO
 INTERESTED IN BENCHMARKING?
The Millennium Benchmarking Group is offering the opportunity to join the Group to any Large Scale Stock Transfer organisations interested.
The Millennium Benchmarking Group’s primary aim is to improve collectively the performance of all Group Members, by:
- sharing information about performance in agreed areas;
- promoting and sharing best practice;
- supporting Group Members towards implementing best practice, and thus improving individual Members’ performance, and overall performance within the Group;
- developing approaches to Peer Assessment.
Current Members include ANCHO, Bridgewater Housing Association, Hillhead Housing Association 2000, Shire Housing Association, Thistle Housing Association, Waverley Housing, and Weslo.
Organisations submitting expressions of interest will be issued with background information, together with a proforma designed to establish their suitability.
For further details please contact:
Elaine Gibson
Director
ANCHO
Sovereign House
Academy Road
Irvine
KA12 8RL
Direct Dial Number: 01294 204910
Mobile Number: 07747 767346
Email: Elaine.gibson@ancho.co.uk
The closing date for responses is 1 February 2014.
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Jobs and Tenders Round Up
Housing News is advertising the following jobs and tenders on its regional newsletters:
JOBS
Property Energy Manager – Bield. Glasgow. Salary £28,441 - £30,588. Closing date: February 7. More details
Welfare Reform Housing Officer – East Renfrewshire Council. Barrhead. Salary £22,921 - £26,589. Closing date: February 9. More details
Procurement & Quality Officer – Viewpoint Housing Association. Edinburgh. Salary £31,500. Closing date: February 4. More details
Property Services Team Manager – East Renfrewshire Council. Barrhead. Salary £42,830 - £44,126. Closing date: February 2. More details
Assistant Manager – Liversage Trust. Derby. Salary £28,500. Closing date: February 7. More details
Residents' Support Officer – Liversage Trust. Derby. Salary £11,625 (pro rata £17,438). Closing date: February 7. More details
Services Director – FMB Scotland. Edinburgh. Salary circa £40,000. Closing date: February 4. More details
TENDERS
Benchmarking – ANCHO. Closing date: February 1. More details
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Are you qualified to take advantage of mediation fee-earning opportunities?
 The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is now taking bookings for its Accredited Mediation course running from 17- 21 March 2014 in Edinburgh.
Suitable for anyone with an interest in this growing method of dispute resolution, our intense and hands-on training programme will equip you with all the practical skills to become a skilled, specialist mediator.
Train for professional accreditation with RICS and you will be guided through a carefully planned programme of learning designed to help you to build your negotiation skills, giving you the opportunity to practise the management of disputing parties, as well as techniques for avoiding conflict escalation.
Book your place today
For more information or enquiries about this, or other dispute resolution training courses, please contact RICS Scotland’s Dispute Resolution Service: 0131 240 0834 drsscotland@rics.org.
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Anti-social behaviour – challenges and solutions
 Anti-social behaviour – challenges and solutions
11 February 2014, Glasgow
Book now!
View the event programme
What are the current challenges faced by landlords in tackling antisocial behaviour? How are some landlords seeking to address the challenges? Will the new forthcoming legislation really make a difference?
This event will address some of the current issues faced by social landlords in tackling antisocial behaviour and will showcase some innovative approaches being used to deal with these issues.
Who should attend?
This event is aimed at any staff working in housing associations and local authorities who have responsibility for or involvement in dealing with anti-social behaviour. This would include community safety services, community wardens and community police officers as well as tenancy support services.
Prices and to book
Prices start from £175 + VAT for CIH members.
For more information and to book, please visit our website.
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Training at SHARE: Elementary Health and Safety
Elementary Health & Safety
Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS)
Thursday 6th February,
9.30am – 4.30pm
Trainer: Mark Pauley
Who’s it for and what’s it about?
This course is an essential part of induction for all new staff and as a refresher for those who need brought up to date with current Health & Safety legislation and practice. This would include concierge, office, housing and support staff etc. Our highly regarded instructor Mark has a wealth of experience in Health & Safety management and brings the subject to life through creative, interactive and inspiring training methods.
This nationally recognised certificated training has been designed and is quality-controlled by REHIS and covers staff for 3 years towards meeting legal requirements in health and safety awareness.
Course Content
- Importance of Health and Safety
- Accidents and ill health
- Slips and trips
- Health and Safety Law
- Risk assessment
- Hazardous substances
- Personal protective equipment
- Workplace health, safety and welfare
- Vehicles at work
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- Fire
- First aid
- Work equipment
- Electricity
- Occupational health
- Noise and vibration
- Ergonomics and workstation design
- Manual handling
- Working at heights
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Learning outcomes
- Understand the legal aspect of Health and Safety
- Learn about above Health and Safety topics
- Understand your role
- Understand the role of your employer
Cost: Members £150, Non-members £250 including all course material, lunch, refreshments and certification cost for REHIS
Venue: SHARE, Kirkhaven Church, 120 Sydney Street, Glasgow, G31 1JF
To book a place on this course or for further information please call 0141 550 7595 or e-mail info@share.org.uk
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