The OTRA Scrutiny Panel are currently looking at estate management. A key part of this process is getting out into the communities with Housing officers to evaluate some of our schemes across both Aberdeenshire and Moray.
On Tuesday 16th July the Scrutiny representatives will be in the following areas – please pop out and have a chat – we value your input! If you wish to get involved in other ways – please complete the attached online form to be added to our tenant participation groups -
Hope to see you there!
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Please find the information below from Utilita about the Warm Home Discount scheme.
The Warm Home Discount is a Government scheme funded by Energy Suppliers. It’s designed to help lower income and vulnerable households with their energy costs during the winter. If your tenant meets certain criteria, they may qualify to receive the payment of £140.
We know how important this is to many of your tenants, so we wanted to share this information with you as well. Your tenants may have questions and we felt it was important you had all the facts.
Applications for The Warm Home Discount will open at 11am on 7 August 2019 for one week until 11am 14 August 2019.
Utilita is making a change to when they process Warm Home Discount payments this year. If your tenant is eligible for our Core Group or successful under our Broader Group, payments will be made between December 2019 and February 2020.
All the information about our scheme and the full breakdown of the eligibility criteria along with help videos can be found on our website www.utilita.co.uk/WHD
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Tenants at Osprey Housing Group’s brand new housing development in Peterhead have been settling in after getting the keys to their homes at the beginning of this month.
The Upper Grange project comprising 14 three-bedroom terrace houses and nine two-bedroom flats significantly boosts the supply and choice of much-needed affordable accommodation in the town for a mix of couples, families, and people on their own.
New tenant Arlene McKenzie and her sons Adam, 14, and Cole, six, had been living in temporary accommodation for some time before moving into their new house in Lingbank Close. ‘My eldest boy Adam has Type 1 diabetes and needs round-the-clock care,’ she said. ‘While we were in temporary accommodation, he and his brother were sharing a room which was not ideal.
‘Now the boys have a room each, and they are really delighted to have their own space and privacy. It also helps a lot when I’m checking on Adam’s diabetes during the night.’
Arlene added: ‘We’re so happy to be here now — we’re in our home town, the house is relaxing, modern, and bright, the neighbours are great, and we’re so close to the shops and the boys’ schools.’
Originally due for completion in September last year, the Lingbank Close development had to go on hold after main design-and-build contractor Deveron Construction Ltd went into administration in June 2018.
Bancon Construction took over the project following a re-tendering process and began work at the end of October.
Also affected by Deveron’s collapse was Osprey Housing Moray’s development of six three-bedroom family houses in Ripley Place, Keith, which was also completed by Banchory-based Bancon. The first families moved in there at the end of January.
Osprey Housing Group Chief Executive Glenn Adcook said: ‘Whilst it was sad to see the loss of a local contractor, we were left in a very difficult position by Deveron’s collapse.
‘This was the first time anything like this had happened since Osprey was established 20 years ago, and we were suddenly faced with two unfinished projects, both of them needed to meet urgent local housing needs.
‘Because of our commitment to quality, we knew we had to find a contractor we could trust to maintain our high standards and we are therefore very grateful to Bancon for stepping in and getting these important projects back on track and completed to such a high standard.’
Mr Adcook added: ‘Particular thanks go to Lloyds Banking Group/Bank of Scotland for our private finance contribution, as well as the Scottish Government for the provision of grant funding for both projects and all that they have done to support us through a very challenging time.
‘We would further like to thank Aberdeenshire Council for providing some initial support for Peterhead when the project was first approved.’
All the Peterhead and Keith properties which are now fully occupied have been built to a high specification meeting the latest energy-efficiency standards.
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We’d like to make all our tenants aware of this handy free service – if you experience a power cut, simply dial 105 and you will get through to your local network operator for further help and advice.
Find out more here: https://www.powercut105.com/
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WHITE GOODS SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
New fire service campaign aims to extinguish white goods fires.
On 18th March the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is poised to launch a hard hitting new advert highlighting the dangers of white goods fires.
The Service is driving this safety message as new statistics reveal that fire crews were called to 327 white goods fires during 2018.
The cause of these fires included: Washing Machine – 121; Tumble Dryer – 111; Fridge / Freezer – 53; Dishwasher – 33; Washer / Dryer combined – five; Spin Dryer – four.
Deputy Chief Officer David McGown is the SFRS Director of Prevention & Protection.
David McGown said: “We have taken this step because the public needs to be aware of the potential dangers posed by the unsafe use of white goods.
“People may not associate white goods such as washing machines and tumble dryers with fire but we responded to 327 white goods fires last year alone – that is why we are launching this campaign.
“We know that the Scottish public has a high awareness of the traditional causes of fire in the home. Cooking, smoking and alcohol are all factors which have been deservedly highlighted.
“But the risk of fire from white goods is also one which we all face. This campaign sets out to highlight not only the risk of fire but simple steps you can take to significantly reduce that risk to yourself, your family and all that is important to you.”
DCO McGown added: “These new figures show that house fires involving white goods happen every week. Our message is clear. Use your white goods safely. Don’t risk it. If you’re out or asleep, it’s just not on.
“The SFRS is working closely with partners including Scottish Government, Safer Communities, Trading Standards Scotland and Electrical Safety First. Together we have a common aim – to reduce the number and the impact of white goods fires.”
The campaign will see safety adverts and features appearing across press, radio and television in Scotland.
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To keep up to date with the services in your area and the date these come into affect please visit -
https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/Apps/publictransportstatus/
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We have received the following statement from Our Power today.
Thank you for the support that has been shown over the last few days to the Our Power Team - it's truly appreciated.
I am emailing to let you know that Ofgem has appointed Utilita as the supplier of last resort for Our Power Energy Supply Ltd customers.
Bill Bullen, Utilita’s CEO, has spoken with me this morning to say that he would like to see whether we might be able to preserve something of the operations as well as the void model and the membership approach.
From a tariff perspective, Utilita sits just below the price cap(s) and has a very strong focus on smart meters and prepayment.
Utilita will work closely with Secure Meters, whose meters we have been installing and have their own meter operator business.
We will be working with Utilita over the course of the coming days. Customer accounts moved across to Utilita this morning and we will be working with Utilita on what communications will be going out to customers.
As soon as we have any more news, we will share this with you.
Best Wishes,
Dawn
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Building on the achievements of recent years and the strong reputations of Osprey Housing and Osprey Housing Moray, the Osprey Group is working hard to position itself as a dynamic force in housing in North East Scotland. We own and manage nearly 1800 properties throughout Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray Council areas. Our vision is to make a difference to the people we serve by providing high quality housing that is affordable and sustainable with services to match.
Our Governing Body and Organisation are focused on:
The Governing Body plays a vital role in shaping our future and we are now looking to recruit new non-executive independent Governing Body Members with the expertise to help us achieve these goals.
What is a Governing Body and what does it do: Our Governing Bodies are made up of independent members with a range of experiences and expertise including tenant representatives whose key responsibilities incorporate setting and approving our overall strategy and direction, monitoring performance, approving budget and annual accounts from a strategic level, approving large contracts and tenders, and building excellent relationships with our tenants and partners. We are looking to strengthen and increase our membership.
We would especially welcome candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
The positions are unremunerated however travel and expenses will be reimbursed; training and development are also part of the offer. Informal Chat: If you wish to have an initial chat with our CEO about the organisation, the position and how you can help us to make a difference every day, please phone Stacy Angus on 01224 548000
How to Apply: Please send your C.V. and a statement summarising your skills and experience, why you are interested in becoming a Board Member for Osprey Housing and why you are suitable for this role. E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or send a hard copy to: Clare Ruxton, Corporate Services Manager, 22 Abercrombie Court, Arnhall Business Park, Westhill, Aberdeenshire, AB32 6FE.
For further details for Osprey Housing please download OH Governing Body Member Recruitment Pack (PDF) or call 01224 548000 for an information pack.
For further details for Osprey Housing Moray please download OHM Governing Body Member Recruitment Pack (PDF) or call 01343 543210 for an information pack.
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Osprey are sad to share the news that energy supplier, Our Power, has taken the decision to go into administration.
Our Power customers will be transferred to another supplier under the Ofgem ‘Supplier of Last Resort’ process which is taking place now and the new supplier will be announced by Ofgem next week.
If you are currently an Our Power customer you will be contacted by the new supplier. We understand this is an unusual situation but we can assure you that your supplies are secure and credit balances are protected through the transfer to a new supplier. Prepayment customers should continue to top up and payments will be allocated to their meters as usual.
Ofgem’s advice is not to try to switch, until the switch to the new supplier is complete. This will help make sure that the process of handing customers over to a new supplier, and honouring credit balances, is as hassle free for customers as possible.
If you they need additional support you can call Citizens Advice on 03454 04 05 06, or get in touch through Ofgem’s facebook or twitter feed @ofgem.
Ofgem guidance on this situation can be found,
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On Friday the 18th January 2019 our phone systems will be down from 4pm for around 20 minutes for essential maintenance if you could hold your calls until then it would be greatly appreciated.
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