Glen Oaks Housing Association held its annual Residents Conference in Glasgow’s Crookston Hotel.

Opening the event, chief executive Alasdair McKee provided feedback on the key successes over the last year, including the implementation of the new ‘Core Values’ that were discussed at last year’s conference.

He also spoke about the ongoing success of Glen Oaks’ WorkingRite project, which helps young people, aged between sixteen and eighteen, gain vital work experience, with a very large number securing permanent employment as a direct result of the project.

Mr McKee alluded to the hugely popular Starting Out Project, funded by the BIG Lottery and the People and Communities Fund, which has proven massively successful, providing much needed support to the Association’s tenants, with a distinct focus on tenancy sustainment.

He said: “The Association’s core values: ‘Respectful’, ‘Transparent’, ‘Dedicated’ and ‘Aspirational’, came about from discussion with our tenants. This is what they feel the Association should represent. The information and dialogue shared between our staff and our tenants at events such as this evening ensure our values are translated into actual working practices. The values are pointless unless we follow them and our residents see them in action.”

The main focus of this year’s event was to discuss the proposed rent review for the coming year with our tenants, who provided their views about the Association’s rent proposals. The discussion centered on affordability for tenants and value for money when considering services such as repairs, tenancy support and new homes.

To facilitate the discussion, presentations regarding the Association’s Asset Management Strategy and the rent consultation, were presented by technical director Donald Weir and housing services director Jean Murray respectively.

Each table at the popular event had a mix of tenants, Board members, members of the Service Improvement Group (SIG) and staff, which allowed for an open and relaxed atmosphere for the issues to be discussed.

Mr McKee was then followed by Jamie Louise Rice, one of the founding members of the Association’s SIG, who explained how the SIG is a group of local residents who choose a specific aspect of the Association’s work, and scrutinise this to ensure that the highest levels of customer service are maintained by the Association. It was also noted that the SIG had been nominated for a ‘Glasgow Community Champion’ award and finished as runner up. However, the SIG went one better in being crowned ‘Most Inspiring Scrutiny Newcomer’ at the Tenant Information Service (TIS) National Excellence awards.

The busy programme also included the presentation of a number of awards to residents of the Association’s areas. Bailie Josephine Docherty was asked to independently judge the nominations for the Good Neighbour Awards. At the event on Thursday night, she presented the beautiful trophies and £50.00 shopping vouchers to each winner.

The Association was also delighted to be joined by Councillor Rashid Hussain, who presented the ever popular Garden Competition awards. Awards were presented for best garden in each of the Associations three main areas, (Darnley, Pollok and Arden) and best balcony in Arden. An Overall Winner award was also presented to the garden that was deemed to be “outstanding” by the judges this year.