Argyll Community Housing Association (Acha) Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 5 March 2025
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre & the Islands Area Committee — 5 March 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Argyll Community Housing Association Update to Argyll and Bute Council Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Michelle Mundie Chief Executive 5th March 2025
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Storm Eowyn – Fredrick Crescent, Islay • 5 properties flooded • Decants and welfare checks made • Remedial works ongoing • Experts to be consulted on future flood risk
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Storm Eowyn – Storm Damage • Over 650 calls to ACHA’s repairs line and rising • Emergency Plan to deal with repairs put in place • Repairs triaged and prioritised based on • Priority 1 – emergency make safe/vulnerable occupants at risk • Priority 2 – Urgent Repairs that, while not life- threatening, significantly impact habitability and safety if left unattended. • Priority 3 – Routine Repairs - Non-urgent repairs that, while inconvenient, do not pose an immediate safety or security risk. • External contractor appointed to carry out repairs • Regular tenants updates on a variety of media
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Energy Efficiency • 101 Solar Photovoltaic panels installed in ACHA properties. Up to 50% saving on energy costs depending on usage. • Loft insulation fitted in 15 properties • 15Air Source Heat Pump systems installed. Tenants have provided information which demonstrates approximately 30% saving on energy costs. What we have achieved since April 2024 Adaptations 106 adaptations carried out with a further 6 to be completed. Anti Social Behaviour • 40 Anti Social Behaviour cases closed • 10 of these are in the MAKI area 2 3 Repairs • 16,323 repairs completed • 6,415 of these repairs were in the MAKI area New Tenancies • 320 new tenancies; • 107 of these are in the MAKI area Estate Walkabouts Residents liaise with ACHA’s Housing and Property Services teams Welfare Rights 217 tenants from the MAKI area have received £632,840.67 from ACHA’s welfare rights service Review of ACHA’s Sheltered Housing and Factoring Services being carried out Gypsy Travellers Sites In partnership with Argyll and Bute Council, work has been carried out to upgrade the road at Dunchologhan Gypsy Traveller site, Lochgilphead. Sheltered Housing/ Factoring
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Performance Benchmarking SHN Benchmarking 2023/34 Overall Satisfaction ACHA: 89.84% Scottish Average: 84.01% ACHA: 90.84% Scottish Average: 81.59% ACHA: 2.18 per 100 homes Scottish Average: 6.59 per 100 homes ACHA: 2.74 per 100 homes Scottish Average: 7.51 per 100 homes ACHA: 0.11% Scottish Average: 4.43% ACHA: 92.03% Scottish Average: 86.49% Rent ArrearsValue for Money Anti Social Behaviour Cases Complaints Quality of Home
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Dalintober, Campbeltown • Demolition approved in December 2023 subject to detailed planning approval and tender acceptance. • Design Team meetings progressing, and Cost Plan prepared. • Now 36 units (previously 20), mixed tenure. Previous residents have right of return. • Design to detailed planning has progressed on receipt of A&BC flood risk advice and roads input. • Further flood risk assessment now instructed prior to detailed planning submission. • 2025 site start subject to planning and funding approval.
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• 17 units for Social Rent • Planning submitted: October 2022 • Planning approved: December 2024 • Estimated site start: TBC – contractor procurement to follow satisfactory negotiation of legal agreement for acquisition Bowmore Phase 4, Islay
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• Acquired in 2023/24 with Scot Gov Grant. • H3025 Housing Allocation Area in LDP2 for 50 units. Capacity study shows far greater density possible • Design team procurement commenced for Phase 1 detail and Masterplan design.. • Estimated site start: 2026 Tighcargaman, Port Ellen, Islay
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• Acquired in 2023/24 with Scot Gov Acquisition Grant. • Previously consented for 5 private plots. • Architect capacity study now shows more units achievable. • Employer’s agent procurement progressing to facilitate D&B contractor selection. • Estimated site start: 2026 Glenmachrie, Islay
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• ACHA has the opportunity to acquire a site for 2 units from MacLeod Construction Ltd between Carsaig and Tayvallich, which sits within H3015 in LDP2. • The Association has noted its interest in the site and asked for MCL to review their existing design for the site to take cognisance of current affordable housing standards. Tayvallich
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• ACHA has the opportunity to acquire a site for 10 units from MacLeod Construction Ltd on Tiree. • Current voids on the island appear to contradict the view of urgent local demand. • ACHA needs to obtain further comfort on housing need before committing further to the project. • Timing of the community’s own development ambitions is key to avoid over supply. • Discussions ongoing with the Tiree Development Trust Pier View, Tiree
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• Potential Acquisition opportunity • H3024 Housing Allocation Area in Local Plan • Site Investigation shows significant deep peat which is now being assessed by consulting engineers to form a remediation strategy. • Estimated start date: TBC – depending on Nature Scot’s approach to the peat and agreement of value with FLS. Tarbert
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• Property acquired 2024 with Scottish Government grant support • Architect, Engineer & QS appointed for refurbishment opportunity including pitched roof to form a 2-bed bungalow • Adjacent Police House is being renovated by ACHA’s Property Management team Tarbert Police Station
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Working with our Communities Communities Action Fund 27 registered charities have received an award of up to £500. 10 of the groups are based in the MAKI area. ACHA School Award Scheme 13 schools in Argyll and Bute have received an award of up to £1,000. 5 of the schools are located in the MAKI area:_ Bowmore Primary, Clachan Primary, Kilmartin Primary, hunahaorine Primary and Tarbert Academy Challenge Poverty Week ACHA teams supported local foodbanks including Kintyre Foodbank in Campbeltown New Parliament Place Allotments Our allotments at New Parliament Place have been a great success with lots of produce being grown. Pupils from Dalintober Primary grew red apples this year and then crushed and pressed them to make apple juice
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Produce and plants at the New Parliament Place allotments
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ACHA is changing….. an update on our plans New Vision, Mission and Values A new corporate plan A new target operating model A values pilot New job roles A new staffing structure