Working in Partnership

Presentation by:Helen Barton, Housing and Communities Director,

Albyn HSAnd

Caroline MacAskill, Head of Service North, Cairn HA

Working in Partnership

• Initial thoughts/ideasWhyWhatWhereWhenHow

Our context• Cairn Stock– 1,400 in Highlands– 180 in Caithness– Inverness based

• Albyn Stock– 2,500 in Highlands– 112 in Caithness– Invergordon based

• Existing joint working initiatives

Working in Partnership• Turning ideas into realityIdentifying what can Cairn HA provide for Albyn HS

Tenants and vice versa• Cairn HA could provide - Housing Management

Services; Estate Management Function, Anti Social Behaviour, Assistance with Housing Benefit Forms, Arrangements for paying rent arrears for Cairn and Albyn tenants

• Albyn HS could provide Property Maintenance Services for Cairn and Albyn tenants

• A more responsive service to tenants• Stock growth in other areas – resources stretched

Working in Partnership

• Selling the ideaWhat might the benefits be?• Local Officers dealing with local issues• A local presence for tenants• Ability to react to complaints quicker• A build up knowledge of the stock in Caithness• Property Maintenance of both Cairn and Albyn houses

would continue to be undertaken by local contractors.• Less Property Maintenance Officer time spend on the

A9 and more in Caithness dealing direct with tenants and contractors

Working in Partnership

• What happened next:Tenant consultationFeedbackPartnership AgreementAppointment of MOLaunch

Working in Partnership• Challenges

Cairn HA restructured ServiceHO went on long term sick leave and subsequently retiredAccessing IT

• BenefitsStaff time saved, able to re-allocate to other areasHelped to absorb Provides a strong local presenceEmphasises close working relationships

Working in Partnership

• What happens nowPilot periodMonitorReviewAmendFeedback