A team effort to tackle virus, Ardenglen AGM is told

Castlemilk pulled together like never before as it faced the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic.

Families were offered unprecedented support as Ardenglen Housing Association joined others in reaching out to rescue the community from Covid’s devastating effects.

That was the uplifting message at the association’s AGM held remotely due to ongoing restrictions.

Chief Executive Audrey Simpson paid tribute to the work of the Castlemilk Together organisation – which featured many local organisations, housing associations including Ardenglen and an army of willing volunteers.

Together they delivered thousands of meals during the lockdown particularly to isolated and vulnerable tenants.

Despite the challenges, Audrey was able to pinpoint key successes during the organisation’s 30th year namely:

• The launch of the £3million “Cathkin 7” development of 22 homes
• The collection of 97.7 per cent of rent owed to Ardenglen
• It took just 8.6 days to allocate empty homes
• 95.3%  of repairs were carried out right first time
• 92% of tenants were satisfied with the repairs service

Audrey said: “I am delighted to present such a positive scorecard. It is a reflection on the hard work and commitment of our staff and I want to take this opportunity to thank them.

“The year ahead could be our greatest challenge yet, building on our recovery from the pandemic, but being mindful that it remains a very real issue.  We will be developing a new business plan, and looking to have a root and branch review of our operating world.  I also want to offer my sincere thanks to our Board of Management for their ongoing dedication and commitment to Ardenglen.”

The AGM was the final one for Chair Maureen Cope MBE who has relinquished the role but will remain on the Board.

Maureen has a distinguished record in community activism and is easily one of the best known names within the housing association movement in Scotland.

Her decades of dedication to the Castlemilk community is unmatched and she is a much-admired figure in Castlemilk and beyond.

Ardenglen is grateful that Maureen will remain on the Board offering her unrivalled expertise and knowledge in ensuring a bright future for Ardenglen.

There were two key appointments following the AGM – notably the election of a new Chair Liz McKenzie following a period as Vice Chair and Mark Ingram as Vice Chair.

A brief Special General Meeting was also held prior to the AGM to approve a change in the rules governing the Association.

Pictured: The first tenant to move into Cathkin 7 Jane Clarke (second left) - with (from far left) new Chair Liz McKenzie; former Chair Maureen Cope MBE and Chief Executive Audrey Simpson