WGHC_Newsletter_Summer_2025_FINAL

n wsletter SUMMER 2025

WGHC a tenant focussed ‘trail blazer’ WGHC have made headlines during June on two separate occasions as being the “First”: ➜ RBS bank partnered with WGHC to deliver the free “Financial Foundations, Cost of Living” workshop to our tenants. The event was held in the Boardroom and all participating tenants received a ‘goodie bag’ worth £25. ➜ It was presented by two RBS Managers. WGHC is the first landlord to have received the workshop and RBS wish to use us as a ‘pilot’ for their other workshops in the series. They will be returning in the future to share their tips to help prevent “Fraud and Scams” – More news on this to follow.

WGHC is the first organisation in Scotland and the only Co-operative in the whole of the UK to be certificated as an “Investor in Excellence”.

Colin Fraser, Chair of the WGHC Committee has indicated “I’m delighted that WGHC has received

the highly prestigious “Investors in Excellence”.

There are 595 Cooperative Organisations in Scotland and I’m proud to say WGHC is the first to be awarded this recognition.

On behalf of the Committee members and all our tenants, I would like to thank Larke, David and all the staff team for their diligence and commitment in achieving this award.

Committee is made up of WGHC tenants who have the massive responsibility of making strategic decisions on behalf of their fellow tenants. This a responsibility which is not taken lightly and always on the understanding that “Tenants are paramount in everything we do”

For Out of Hours Emergency Central Heating Repairs contact: Lothian Gas on 0131 440 4666 Out of Hours Emergency contact: Aquarius on 0131 608 1447

WEST GRANTON HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE

The biggest issue in the history of WGHC In the March Tenant Newsletter, we told you about a potential cladding issue with 45 of our flats across at Colonsay Close and Waterfront Park. This was as a result of the new Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act which came into effect on 6th January 2025, following the Grenfell Tower Tragedy.

U

nder the new law, WGHC were required to carry out a detailed inspection of the building known as a Single Building Assessment.

The Assessment has identified that the cladding on the outside of the building needs to be removed and replaced, along with some other essential building works. Whilst the building does not require evacuation (tenants can safely remain in their homes), WGHC are also required to carry out additional measures until the cladding has been

removed (like ensuring the stairs are kept clear at all times, increasing the amount of safety inspections re emergency stair lighting, the fire alarm system, etc). Home visits by WGHC Staff are also currently underway to discuss more about these measures with each of the tenants in the building.

If you look at the image below, it is all the areas covered in white render, black render, wooden panelling and the zinc and aluminium panels on the 4th and 5th floors. Balconies will also have to be replaced.

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Housing Regulator WGHC has complied with its legal reporting requirements and informed both the Scottish Government and the Scottish Housing Regulator

about the cladding. Both have also been given a copy of the Single Building Assessment, which provides full details of the necessary works required.

WWW.WESTGRANTONHOUSING.COOP

newsletter : SUMMER 2025

The Costs of these Major Repair Works The cost of the Single Building Assessment was £36k.

This was paid for by WGHC. WGHC applied to the Scottish Government’s Stage 1 Open Call Cladding Remediation Fund. Scottish Government have subsequently re-imbursed the £36k back to WGHC. The Stage 2 Open Call Cladding Remediation Fund is

not yet open for applications. This Government fund will deal with applications for financial assistance to help with the cost of removing and replacing cladding.

WGHC has been quoted that the works to remove the cladding and other necessary building works will be around £3.6million.

What does this mean for WGHC WGHC has always been in a strong financial position.

Through their ongoing scrutiny of our income and expenditure, the Committee of Management have always made sure that the Co-op’s cash position is healthy.

Every year, Committee look at our short-, medium and long-term financial plans to ensure that as a not-forprofit organisation, there are healthy surpluses of cash to be invested back into the Co-op. These surpluses of cash pay for all the planned replacement works for new kitchens, bathrooms, boilers, windows & doors, etc However, being presented with unexpected, proposed costs of £3.6million, without any notice, has left the Committee of Management with no option, but to come to the difficult decision to put an immediate hold on all replacement programmes for 2025-26.

This means that any plans to replace bathrooms and kitchens this year, have now been put on hold. This is a necessary decision to protect the financial position of the Co-op.

It is important to note that when these the flats were built in 2009, they met the required Building Standards. It has only been since the new law came into effect in January this year, that this is no longer the case. Under this new law, these major building works to remove and replace the cladding are legally required. It will take approximately 9-12 months to secure contractors to undertake the works, and thereafter an estimated 18-24 months to complete the works in full. When we are in a position to commence these works, we will write out to you again to let you know.

Paying for these Major Repair Works WGHC has already registered its intention with Scottish Government, it will be applying for funding through the Stage 2 Open Call Cladding Remediation Fund, when it opens at the end of June, and already have a meeting scheduled in with Scottish Government on 1st July, to discuss this further.

Whether we are successful in our bid for funding is solely dependent on the Scottish Government, and how many other buildings in the country are affected by cladding. There is only a limited fund of money available from the Government. This could mean WGHC may be successful in receiving 100% funding OR it could mean we only receive part funding, in which case WGHC will have to take out a further loan to pay the remainder.

We wish to assure you that we are doing all we can to state our case for 100% funding from Scottish Government. For a number of months now, we have been working alongside a group of local MSPs (who have been working on WGHC’s behalf at Scottish Government) to raise awareness of WGHC’s request for funding. Additionally, we have had many meetings with the Scottish Government’s Cladding Remediation Directorate and contact at Ministerial level.

If you are worried about your home, whether it is affected and what is likely to happen, please contact the office, 0131 551 5035 and ask to speak with either the COO or CEO.

WWW.WESTGRANTONHOUSING.COOP

West Granton Housing Co-op l 26 Granton Mill Crescent l Edinburgh EH4 4UT t 0131 551 5035 e mail@westgrantonhc.co.uk w www.westgrantonhousing.coop

Out-of-office emergencies: 0131 608 1447

WGHC AGM – Saturday 06th September 2025 G

iven the situation regarding the Cladding situation across at the Colonsay Close / Waterfront Park flats and the anticipated bill of £3.6million, it is likely that this issue will be discussed and questions asked at the WGHC Annual General Meeting on Saturday 6th September 2025 at 11.00hrs (doors open at 10.00hrs for complimentary breakfast rolls and tea & coffee).

For the AGM to take place, we need 40 members to attend. This is YOUR Co-op. YOU are all members.

Please, you spare 1 hour to attend the AGM – it’s only once a year! This year, more than most, we really need as many tenants as possible to attend. The Cladding issue is probably the single most important issue ever to affect WGHC.

The main purpose of the AGM is to present West Granton Housing Co-op’s financial position at the end of the year and our future plans to all our members.

There is also a question and answer session at the end of the meeting where members can ask staff about our work and pass on their comments or suggestions.

All tenants are members and are invited to the AGM. Further details, along with how you can join the Committee, will be sent out in July / August.

SAVE THE DATE – Saturday 6th September, 11.00 to 12.00 (doors open from 10.00hrs)

Your Committee

O

ur Committee are now more representative of WGHC as we have more members than we have ever had in our 35-year history and from different areas within our estate. Minutes of all Committee Meetings are on our website. Your Committee members are: Colin Fraser (Chair)

Wendy Riordan (Vice Chair)

Jim Hemphill (Vice Chair)

George Thomson

Liz Robertson

Amanda Aitchison

Morag Orr

Lynn Jameson

Shem Dabrowski

Alan Lamont

Elizabeth Stewart

Stephanie Wilson

Jon Douglas

We have 2 positions available on the Committee. If you are interested in a position on the Committee, as a Casual Vacancy or a fully elected member and want to have a say in your local community, please contact Larke Adger, CEO or David Mills, COO – either of whom, will be delighted to help you. Please feel free to call on 0131 551 5035.

Emergency Contact Details Aquarius ‘out-of-hours emergency’ repairs 0131 608 1447 Lothian Gas any gas emergency repair 0131 440 6666 Scottish Water emergencies 0800 0778 778

West Granton Housing Co-operative Limited is a fully mutual co-operative housing association registered as a social landlord with the Scottish Housing Regulator (HAC 225); and is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (2357 RS).