Earlier this year ANCHO’s tenants voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new partnership with Cairn. ANCHO’s shareholding members then voted unanimously in favour of the required rule changes at a Special General Meeting.

The regulatory consent means that the new Cairn Group can now start delivering on the partnership promises made to tenants during the consultation period.

This includes:

• Continued local services from the ANCHO team in Irvine, with support from Cairn
• £4.5 million in additional investment to ANCHO tenant’s homes
• An affordable rent guarantee for five years.

The first tangible sign of the partnership is underway with the start of an external wall insulation and reroofing programme, delivered by ANCHO with the support of the Cairn Group, in Irvine’s Castlepark estate. External wall insulation can save hundreds of pounds a year in energy bills (depending on the building design) and will go a long way to ANCHO’s target of meeting the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing by December 2020.

ANCHO and Cairn are also working closely with colleagues in North Ayrshire Council to explore new build development schemes to meet local needs and contribute to the delivery of the council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan.

Jason MacGilp, group chief executive for Cairn and ANCHO, said: “This is an important day for Cairn, ANCHO, and our local tenants in North Ayrshire. Tenants have shown a great deal of trust in Cairn and we are determined to honour that and deliver the promises we have made. Joint working and integration planning has been in place for some time. With all consents now in place, everyone at the Cairn Group team is looking forward to the first steps in our journey together.”

Sonya Campbell Perry, ANCHO’s chairperson, added: “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.”

Jim Montgomerie, cabinet member for place at North Ayrshire Council, said: “We welcome this news and look forward to working with our partners in the months and years to come as we seek to deliver high quality housing for the residents of North Ayrshire.”