The chairman of Osprey Housing is calling for the organisation’s partners to do everything they can to help ensure local people have warm, energy efficient affordable homes.

Bill Chapman’s comments were made at Osprey’s AGM held yesterday during which he reported another excellent year for the group.

He said: “We are in a robust financial position having posted a healthy surplus, a stronger balance sheet and increased turnover. We have put in place a comprehensive asset management strategy and an ambitious improvement programme, fully funded over the next 30 years.

“We have also met most of our key performance indicators and we continue to improve against both internal and external benchmarks. I look forward, together with key partners, to making a difference to people’s lives going forward.”

The AGM also marks the first anniversary of Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership and Moray Housing Partnership coming together under the new Osprey banner. Forecast efficiencies of £50,000 have been met, which has pleased the Chairman.

Mr Chapman also particularly praised the role of the Osprey Tenants & Residents Association (OTRA) for driving improvements to results from the tenants’ satisfaction survey and for helping to review and plan services. He highlighted the award winning scrutiny panel’s insightful final report into voids and lettable standards as an example of the valuable work it does.

He added: “Osprey’s ambitious development programme is well underway with excellent progress being made towards the overall target of 350 new affordable homes across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. To date we have completed 142 new properties and are on site with a further 72.

“None of this could be achieved without dedicated staff and Board teams and I’d like to thank everyone for their considerable efforts over the last year in what has been a challenging market and difficult economic times.

“Finally I’d like to pay tribute to Colin Hawkins who has just retired as chief executive after 15 years. He has made an immense contribution during this time and we all wish him well. I’m sure his successor Glenn Adcook will drive the organisation to further success.”