Ayrshire Housing’s performance over the last year was celebrated at the organisation’s 2015 AGM on Wednesday.

Packed with tenants and friends from the wider community, the AGM heard chair Rhonda Leith highlight Ayrshire Housing’s positive report from the Scottish Housing Regulator and pay tribute to retiring board members.

She said: “It’s been another very good year for Ayrshire Housing. Our finances are sound and we are well prepared to face the challenges ahead. I’m pleased that we were able to keep the rent increase to 2.5 per cent whilst still delivering a quality service and adding to our stock. Our performance is monitored each year by the Scottish Housing Regulator. I was really pleased to see their latest public report about us. It shows levels of service which usually better that offered by other associations and the councils in Ayrshire.

“Our latest development on King Street is getting lots of well deserved attention. Of equal note, we are also supporting a wide range of community ventures. These range from sadly necessary services like the South Ayrshire Foodbank through to sponsoring local youth and sports clubs.

“I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of my fellow board members. Four have decided to retire at this meeting: tenants Rosina McRoberts, Frances Maguire and Carrie O’Donnell, and community member Mairi Low. I’m delighted though that four new faces will be joining the Board tonight. Roy Martin joins us in the community category and from our tenants, Liz Craig, David McVittie and Bill McWilliam.”

Ms Leith added: “We are fortunate in having three South Ayrshire Councillors on our Board. Ian Cavana and John Hampton have been solid supporters of our work for several years. In May, we lost Corri Wilson when she was elected as an MP. Corri is also one of our tenants and we trust that she will continue to promote our work in her new role. We were delighted that the Council quickly appointed William Grant to replace her.”