SPRING 2019 - www.sanctuary-scotland.co.uk - Sanctuary Scotland
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SPRING 2019
Alex Clark, Sanctuary Scotland’s Vice-Chairperson, and Cllr Heather
McVey, North Lanarkshire’s Housing Convener visit the demolition site
of Cumbernauld’s last two tower blocks. Read more on page 3.
www.sanctuary-scotland.co.uk
Our response to
Channel 4 Dispatches
Last month Sanctuary featured in an episode of Channel 4’s current affairs programme Dispatches. The
programme focused on claims from three tenants who believed they had received an unsatisfactory
service from Sanctuary. One of the cases involved a property managed by Sanctuary Scotland.
Whilst we are confident this programme is not an accurate reflection of the services that Sanctuary
Scotland provides, we recognise that from time to time things do not always work out the way we had
planned. We believe we provide a good service to our tenants in Scotland, and on the rare occasions when
things go wrong we look to resolve the issue as soon as possible and review any lessons so that we can
improve our services for the future. We encourage you to help us make our services better by joining our
Resident Review Panel, a group which meets regularly to review our performance, influence and innovate
our services, and ensure that we address tenant needs. To find out more about our Review Panels please
phone 0800 131 3348 or email GetInvolved.Scotland@sanctuary-housing.co.uk
‘Every day is different’ for Scottish Apprentices
As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019, we visited our development project in Hume Road, Cumbernauld,
where construction firm ENGIE is giving apprentices the opportunity to learn their trade on 66 affordable
Sanctuary flats.
We work with our contractors across Scotland to teach young people the skills needed to build new homes.
Gavin Mcintosh, a 2nd year plumbing apprentice, said: “Every day is different, no day’s ever the same.
“I would definitely say this apprenticeship is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019 ran from 4 – 8 March with the theme ‘Skills for the Future’.
A short video on ENGIE’s Hume Road apprentices can
be viewed on YouTube at:
https://youtu.be/C2G_m1WEwZg
2
COVER
Final tower blocks downed STORY
as high-rise era ends
Cumbernauld’s last two tower blocks are being reduced to
rubble, making space for more than 130 new homes.
The demolition of Stuart House and Elliot House in Burns Road
by high-reach excavator marks the end of more than 50 years
of high-rise living in the town.
Affordable housing developer Sanctuary Homes consulted the
local community before submitting a planning application to
North Lanarkshire Council for 136 flats for social rent.
The proposals for Burns Road are the next chapter in
Sanctuary’s successful £75 million high-rise regeneration
project.
The site is expected to be cleared by September. If its
proposals are approved by North Lanarkshire Council,
Sanctuary hopes to begin building new homes at Burns Road
next February.
Councillor Heather McVey, Convener of Communities and
Housing with North Lanarkshire Council, said: “The demolition
of these two towers is very significant as we say goodbye to
the last of the tower blocks in Cumbernauld after more than
half a century.
“Housing needs have changed considerably since the new
town was constructed and as these last blocks come down, we
can look forward to their replacement with new, high quality
flats to rent which will help meet the need for affordable
housing in the area.”
SHARE YOUR STORY
If you have a story you’d like to share in
the next edition of Voice, please email
voice@sanctuary-housing.co.uk or
call 0800 131 3348 / 0300 123 3511 by
On site with Peter Martin, Alex Clark, Heather McVey, 3 Wednesday 31 July 2019.
Pamela Humphries, and Andy Smillie
Cumbernauld Living Landscape wins
transformational National Lottery support
Local primary school children celebrating the announcement of the funding. Image courtesy of Lenny Warren
Cumbernauld Living Landscape has received a People will be able to explore and enjoy the nature on
transformational grant of £1,375,000 from the their doorstep thanks to 3km of new paths linking existing
National Heritage Lottery Fund for its Creating Natural routes, and 5km of existing routes will be upgraded to
Connections initiative. This funding will deliver significant become more accessible for everyone.
improvements to Cumbernauld’s environment over the
next four years and create a long-term change in the way Pat Cahill, Director of Sanctuary Scotland said: “As a
the town’s people connect with nature. supporter of the Scottish Wildlife Trust in Cumbernauld,
Sanctuary staff have seen first-hand the positive impact
Nearly 3,000 primary school pupils will be given the town’s greenspace can have on people’s lives. This
opportunities to explore nature, groups including people investment will further improve Cumbernauld’s natural
at risk of poor mental health and young people at risk environment and enable more residents to enjoy it. We
of disengaging from education, will be given specialist look forward to supporting Creating Natural Connections
support to improve their well-being. in neighbourhoods across the town, providing advice and
support where required to maximise people’s involvement.
A total area of urban woodland equivalent to 230 football
pitches (230 hectares) will be sustainably managed, and “Creating Natural Connections will also complement some
more than 12,000 native trees will be planted. Three peat of Sanctuary’s investment in Cumbernauld. Much of the
bogs surrounded by houses will be restored, and six new planned activity will take place a short walk from the high
community rain gardens will help reduce the impacts quality new homes being built to replace the town’s high-
of flooding. Across the network, better managed urban rise blocks.”
wildflower meadows will boost pollinators and increase
local biodiversity.
New homes handed
over in Glasgow
The first 18 new Sanctuary houses for social rent have been
handed over to happy tenants in Nitshill, Glasgow.
A delighted Lisa Boyle received the keys to her new
property from housing officer Suzanne Park. Lisa told us:
“It’s fantastic, I can’t wait to move in.”
4
Could you benefit A smart meter shows you how much your energy is costing
you as you use it, and could help you save money.
from a smart meter? With a smart meter you can:
• See exactly how much energy you use in pounds and
pence
• Get accurate bills instead of estimates
• Say goodbye to manual meter readings
Did you know? You don’t need the internet at home for your
smart meter to work. It operates in the same way as other
wireless systems such as your car keys and TV remote, by
using radio waves.
A smart meter could help you find ways to reduce energy
waste around your home and save money. For example, you
could save around £30 a year just by turning your appliances
off at the wall rather than leaving them in standby mode.
Smart meters could also help you switch to a better deal, as
you’ll have accurate energy usage information which can
help you choose the supplier and tariff that suits you best.
On prepay? No problem. Smart meters show you what you’re
using, as you use it, so no more running out of credit at
the most inconvenient times. It also means you can top up
whenever it suits you – online, via mobile or at the shop.
Getting a smart meter is actually pretty easy, and they’re
provided at no extra cost. Contact your energy provider
today to find out more, you’ll find their details on your gas
and electricity bill.
Your new Welfare
Rights Officer – Do you need a
Cumbernauld financial health
check?
• Concerned about your finances? If the answer to any of these
• Struggling to heat your home? questions is yes, why not contact
• Difficulties feeding your family? Citizens Advice on 0800 085
• Think you’re eligible for support 7145 for confidential advice and
but don’t know where to start? assistance.
• Want to save money by switching
energy or another supplier? The FREE financial health checks
Janice Herriot (pictured) • Lone parent family? are delivered by the Citizens Advice
has been appointed the • A single parent and under 25 Network in Scotland and backed by
Welfare Rights Officer for years old? the Scottish Government.
Cumbernauld on a 12-month • Approaching or in retirement?
secondment, temporarily
moving from being a local
Housing Officer. 5
2
Am I responsible Right to
for the trees in my repair
garden? Small, urgent repairs should be done within
a given timescale. When you report a
qualifying repair, we will:
• Tell you the latest date the repair should be
completed by
Yes, as part of your tenancy agreement, any general maintenance work
• Explain your rights
to trees in your garden is your responsibility. We’re not responsible for
• Provide details of an alternative contractor
the clearance of leaves, twigs, branches, fruit etc. from these trees.
If a qualifying repair is not started within
If you would like to remove a tree from your garden, you will need to
the timescale you are told, you may ask the
contact your local authority to check if there is a Tree Preservation Order
alternative contractor to make the repair. You
(TPO) on the tree.
will also receive compensation of £15 plus £3
per day until the work is completed.
What is a Tree Preservation Order?
If the original contractor fails to complete
A Tree Preservation Order is placed on a tree when the local planning
a qualifying repair within the time limit set,
authority has deemed that it has a high aesthetic value. It means that
you will also receive £15 compensation.
formal consent is required if any work is to be carried out on the tree.
If you find that the tree causing you a problem has a TPO or is in a
To report an urgent repair, please phone our
conservation area, then the appropriate planning procedure must be
24-hour Customer Service Centre on 0800
followed before any work is carried out. If the tree is in a conservation
131 3348 (0300 123 3511 from a mobile).
area then you must give the Council six weeks’ notice so they can decide
if the tree needs a TPO.
If you have a gas leak, you should phone
the National Gas Emergency Service first on
My neighbour’s tree is overhanging into my garden, 0800 111 999.
can I do anything about it?
The easiest way to report a non-emergency
Yes, you are entitled to remove overhanging branches so long as it
repair is to complete our online report a
doesn’t damage the rest of the tree or make it unstable. You should also
repair form:
offer to return the material including any fruit to the owner as this would
www.sanctuary-scotland.co.uk/report-a-repair-form
otherwise technically be considered as theft. This does not apply to
any leaves or twigs that naturally drop into your garden, which can be
disposed of.
Try to avoid cutting branches off in late winter/spring as some trees can
bleed at this time of year as the sap in the tree starts to rise. Before you
set about tackling an overhanging tree, check with the council that it
doesn’t have a TPO and it is not in a conservation area.
The tree in my garden has been damaged during a
storm and I think it is dangerous, should I report it?
Yes, please report it to us by calling 0800 131 3348 (0300 123 3511
from a mobile). If any tree work has to be carried out in your garden for
safety reasons, or the tree is likely to cause damage to the property, then
it is our responsibility.
6
Statue marks completion of
£60 million regeneration
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited our
regeneration of Anderston in Glasgow to formally
mark the £60 million project’s completion.
Ms Sturgeon unveiled a statue of renowned artist
and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh on the
90th anniversary of his death, a piece of public art
commissioned by Sanctuary Group.
The sculpture of Mackintosh by Andy Scott weighs
three tons, is 2.8 metres tall and sits atop a 2.2 metre
plinth. It shows Mackintosh sat on the famous
high-backed chair he designed for Glasgow’s
Argyle Street Tea Rooms. The statue faces west from
a section of Argyle Street reinstated during our
regeneration of Anderston.
Ms Sturgeon said: “It is a privilege to officially unveil
Andy Scott’s installation, which now stands in
pride of place in Anderston – an area transformed
through the ten-year regeneration project.”
Sanctuary Scotland worked with the local
community, Scottish Government and Glasgow City
Council to demolish and replace 1960s blocks with
540 high quality, affordable homes.
Sanctuary Group’s chief executive Craig Moule said:
“We believe Andy’s statue is a fitting way to mark
the completion of Sanctuary’s regeneration of
From left to right: Craig Moule – Sanctuary Group’s Chief
Anderston. Executive, Nicola Sturgeon - First Minister, Ken Gibb - Chair
of Sanctuary Scotland and Andy Scott - Sculptor
“The thousands of people who’ll pass the statue
each day will help to ensure Mr Mackintosh’s
memory lives on.”
The statue of renowned artist and
77 architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Swapping your home Need more space? Moving to a different town? Looking to downsize? You could consider swapping your home through mutual exchange. You don’t have to exchange with another Sanctuary Scotland resident. Exchanges can be made with residents of local authorities or other housing associations across the country. To find someone to exchange your home with, register for free on www.homeswapper.co.uk. You’ll need to create an online account with the details of your current property and what type of home you’re looking for. Homeswapper will then search for suitable matches. Can I exchange my property? To be eligible you must: • have no rent arrears • move to a property of the correct size for your current needs • not move into a property with aids and adaptations, for example wet rooms, without being assessed and given a medical recommendation • not be subject to a Possession Order, Antisocial Behaviour Order or have any other serious tenancy issues. What do I do when I’ve found an exchange? Once you’ve found someone to exchange with, you must each complete and return a mutual exchange application form. You can request the paperwork via the contact us form on our website: www.sanctuary-scotland.co.uk. The proposed exchange must then be approved in writing by us and any other housing provider involved. For more information, call us on 0800 131 3348 or 0300 123 3511. Our Customer Service Centre is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays. • Call us on 0800 131 3348 (0300 123 3511 from a mobile) • Email us contactus@sanctuary-housing.co.uk • Write to us Sanctuary Scotland, Marybone House, 2 Marybone, Liverpool L3 2BY • Visit www.sanctuary-scotland.co.uk and search for the information you need. This newsletter can be translated into other languages, large print and Braille or recorded on to an audio CD. Please phone the Customer Service Centre for details. Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association Limited, a charity registered in Scotland No. SC024549 and a Registered Society No. 2508RS, is a subsidiary of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity
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