Orkney Housing Association Annual General Meeting 2017
Tonight saw the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Orkney Housing Association, it took place in The Restaurant of Orkney College at 7.30pm and was very well attended.
The meeting was chaired by Mr John Rodwell with Anne Fletcher Director of Finance & Asset Management, Mhairi Hughes Secretary and Craig Spence Chief Executive along side him.
The meeting proceeded with apologies given and received, last years minutes reviewed proposed and seconded with no matters arising.
The Chairs Annual report included celebrating their 1000 house build in March, which is a fantastic achievement in 32 years. He acknowledged the Residents Panel which has effectively scrutinised and held the committee to account. He said they were pleased to have welcomed Kevin Stewart MSP (SNP) Minister for Local Government and Housing back to Orkney. He informed the room that the new builds are continuing with 624 people waiting on the list for rent-able housing with 32 people having put their names forward for affordable housing.
Mr Rodwell also paid tribute to Moira Irvine who retired after 27 years of service.
He also welcomed 5 new members of staff; including a first in taking on 1 Modern Apprentice, which has been recognised and shortlisted in The Employer of the Year awards. They received best practice recognition and he would also like to thank the working partnership they enjoy with Orkney Islands Council and Thaw.
Mr Rodwell opened the floor to questions, none were forth coming.
He then passed the floor to Ms Anne Fletcher for the Report and Financial Statement for the year ending 31st March 2017. Copies of the statement can be supplied on request and appointments with Ms Fletcher can be made to discuss the years accounts. You can find the contact details for Orkney Housing Association here
Ms Fletcher mentioned the recruitment of a state janitor which she says has improved the service given to tenants.
There have been 27 new rentals and 6 shared ownerships over the course of the year.
The net assets are currently sitting at just over £7 million.
The floor was again opened for questions of which there were none.
The floor was the given to Mhairi Hughes who stated that Wylie & Bisset have been reappointed as Auditors. The election to the Committee of Management was explained as volunteers who undertake great work on behalf of the members at holding the committee to account, there are vacancies on the Committee of Management and both members and non members are welcome to join.
The formal aspect of the meeting concluded at 7.55pm.
At this point of the meeting the long service awards were given for 20 years service to Mhairi Hughes and Diane Gorman.
This concluded the 2017 Orkney Housing Association annual general meeting of 2017.
There then followed a presentation by the guest speaker Neil Clapperton Chief Executive of the “Our Power” company.
Neil Clapperton
Our Power whose sub header is making energy fairer is the UK’s first not-for-profit energy supplier. They offer cheaper tariffs and fair pricing. The company was started by a small collective of housing associations unhappy with the monopoly of “the big six”. They are undertaking a unique mission to reduce fuel poverty, maximising community benefit, from renewable to lower income households.
In 2016 they entered the UK market with the lowest pre-pay tariff available and promise there is only one tariff regardless of your payment method with no increase in pricing during any 12 month period.
Mr Clapperton announced the launch of their low cost fixed term for everyone, adding that they have been in the top 10 for the lowest tariffs available.
With fuel poverty sitting at 34.9% of households in Scotland and 63% in Orkney, 85% of which are pensioners the smart meter roll out target of all homes being equipped with a smart meter by 2020 shall be a great help in enabling consumers to see their energy consumption.
Our Power are fully licensed to supply both gas and electricity and currently have 53 members with 40 more keen to join.
The Orkney News has previously reported on fuel poverty in Orkney, you can read one of the reports here. You can find more reports by putting the words fuel poverty in the search bar at the top of the Home page.
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