Overcladding problems being addressed

A three year battle to have a close inspection of structural work done by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) has been won by home owners.

Following an hour long meeting with the Scottish Government’s Housing Minister, Keith Brown, the Glasgow Home Owners’ Campaign has been assured that an independent, detailed, technical survey of the work will be carried out.

The owners, who are obliged to have GHA as their factor because their homes were previously Glasgow City Council properties, have complained that overcladding and re-roofing work has been below standard. They have to pay for the work and have complained vigorously since the various re-furbishment programmes started across the city, that the shoddy workmanship has resulted in dampness, leaky roofs and structural problems.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: ‘Keith Brown, Minister for Housing and Transport recently held a positive and constructive meeting with the Glasgow Homeowners’ Campaign to discuss their request for an independent survey to take place on GHA owners’ properties.

“The Minister has agreed that an independent survey should be undertaken and consequently, the Scottish Government, in conjunction with the Glasgow Housing Association, will convene a meeting shortly to determine the procurement, nature and scope of the survey.’

GHA’s Executive Director of Regeneration and Development Alex McGuire said: ‘We’ll co-operate fully with the Scottish Government on the survey on homeowners’ properties.’

Commented Sean Clerkin, Chairman of the Glasgow Home Owners’ Campaign: ‘This is good news for homeowners and tenants. Once the full extent of the defective work is seen and providing it is corrected as quickly as possible, a housing and health timebomb will be averted.’

The Campaign members have built up a bank of evidence showing that in properties from tower blocks to four in a block to stand alone homes of ex council housing stock, overcladding has resulted in dampness inside homes, re-roofing has resulted in water coming in and other improvement work has been below acceptable standard. Many had refused to pay for the work and feared the health of the people living in the damp infested properties in particular, would suffer. Campaign meetings in the Jurys Inn Hotel in Jamaica Street are regularly attended by around 150-200 owners who have banded together as the stress of fighting their individual complaints alone, has been telling on them.

Hard work wins awards

By Grace Franklin

Almost 50 people in Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency’s area, received Learning Awards this week from Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning. And the Agency itself received its Investors in People Silver award.
At a happy, lunchtime event in Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, Councillor Stephen Curran welcomed a large audience of the achievers and their family and friends. Each person recognised in the ceremony is a client of the Regeneration Agency.
Said Minister Brown: ‘Those receiving awards have put in a great deal of hard work and thoroughly deserve to be recognised. I have met many people who have benefitted from taking part in community based, adult learning programmes, including literacy and numeracy, as well as programmes aimed at helping to prepare for work. I have heard first hand about the changes to people’s lives – being able to help children with homework, increases in confidence, as well as people developing the skills to go for promotion, or take those first steps back into work or learning.’ He continued:‘The importance of people gaining these vital skills has been underlined in the launch of the Scottish Government’s Skills Strategy and subsequent Literacy Action Plan. The programmes delivered by Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency bring these policies to life and help to build the strong communities we need to underpin a sustainable economy.’
Tommy Docherty, Depute Chief Executive of Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency (GSWRA) said, ‘This is a really important event for many people – it’s like a mini-graduation ceremony. It is vital that we recognise and acknowledge the hard work and determination that our clients put in to help them move on with their lives. The day was a great success and I was thrilled that Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, was able to join us. It made the whole thing a bit more special for everyone.’
At the end of the awards ceremony, Councillor Alex Glass congratulated everyone and said it was a fantastic achievement by everyone concerned. ‘There is a wide mix of people who have been successful.’ To loud applause he continued: ‘This would not have been possible without the staff of Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency who took them through their learning journeys.’ He then presented Peter Watson, Vice Chair of GSWRA and Board member Eleanor Harris with the Investors in People Silver Award. ‘It is important GSWRA continues to train its staff. Let them go for gold next year!’ he encouraged.
All GSWRA clients undergo a range of training courses designed to equip them for the world of work. These include literacy and numeracy, confidence building, community janitors, get ready for work, IT, work based training and progression in work training.
The successful candidates were:
Training For Work (Adult)
Lauren Boyle, David Dempsie, John Ferguson, Charlene Leith, William MaGee, Callum MacKay, James Myles, Christine Read, Chris Watson, James Young.
Training for Work (Youth)
Georgie Boyle, Nicole Boyle, Andrew Graham, Samantha Lyons, Carly McNeil, Leigh Semple.
Training for Life
Stephen Chisholm, Elaine Cleer, Anne Davidson, Robert Davies, Gerry Gormley, Graeme Logan, Michael Munro, Lynda Robertson, Sandra Tierney, Elizabeth Wallace.
Training for the Future
Stephanie Alexander, Ross Baird, Robert Brown, Gina Davidson, Jennifer Edwards, David Granger, Melissa Kennedy, David Lees, Joseph Stanulis, Fraser Taylor, Angela Todd.
Significant Learning Journey
Scott Anderson, Lauren Burns, Catherine Campbell, John Dearie, Freda Edwards, Kirsty McNab, Sheila Young.

Liam’s in safe hands at SPL Reading Stars launch

Young  LOCAL NEWS readers met up with football star Tomas Cerny in Easterhouse to celebrate the start of the second year of the SPL’s Reading Stars project.
Czech-born Tomas, who is Hamilton Accies’ goalkeeper, was at the Bridge Library to represent the 12 SPL clubs which are backing Reading Stars.
SPL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster also attended, as did Skills Minister Keith Brown.
The Minister said: ‘The Scottish Government is committed to improving literacy and numeracy skills in Scotland. Last year’s SPL Reading Stars was a great success which is why we have committed £70,000 to enable this year’s programme to go ahead. The support and dedication from both the programme tutors and football players are greatly appreciated.’
Neil Doncaster added: ‘This innovative partnership uses SPL footballers as positive role models to capture the imagination of families up and down the country, and get the message across that reading is an important and valuable skill.’