Anger at housing association plan to build new HQ

May 14 2008 By Caireen Kelly

ONE of Lanarkshire’s biggest social landlords have been criticised over plans for new office premises.

Not-for-profit Clyde Valley Housing Association are close to agreeing a deal for a purpose-built headquarters in Motherwell’s Scott Street.

It will replace their existing offices in the town’s Brandon Parade East.

The housing association, which currently manages over 2500 homes and provides quality factoring services for a further 2500 homeowners in Lanarkshire, were this week unwilling to disclose the projected cost of the new building.

Nor would they disclose to the Advertiser the cost of a tenants’ ‘fun and information day’ held last month at Strathclyde Park.

More than 150 people attended the event at which tenants could give valuable feedback to help the organisation improve customer services.

Information and advice stands explained the association’s future plans, while staff answered questions.

Also on hand were Strathclyde Police, North Lanarkshire Credit Union, Recap, Energy Advice, Money Advice and North and South Lanarkshire councils.

Clyde Valley Housing Association last year received a grant of almost £10m from the publicly-funded Housing Association.

The Association insist that money is ring-fenced and cannot be used to pay for the new premises.

However, they have so far declined to say from where the money to fund the new HQ will come.

Clyde Valley say the new HQ will offer tenants more privacy when they meet customer service staff and improve access and facilities for disabled clients.

“As negotiations are still at an early stage with contractors, we do not wish to reveal the true cost of the new HQ in case we jeopardise the contract,” said a spokesman.

“The fun days are seen to be a worthwhile cost to the organisation because they help to build relationships between us and our tenants.

“They are a way of building community spirit and helping people to come together.”

However, plans for the new HQ have not gone down well with one tenant.

In March, the Advertiser reported that 40-year-old Hamilton mum Yvonne Alexander had been battling with the housing association for five years to get them to replace her 40-year-old kitchen.

She has now been told that her upgrade will “definitely” take place before the end of July.

Ms Alexander, a former cleaner at Hamilton Palace, said: “The plan for the new HQ seems like a complete waste of money.

“There is nothing wrong with the old building and it seems silly to spend huge amounts of what is probably public money building new premises that they don’t require.

“Like many other tenants I would like to have seen the money be invested into upgrading older houses. They should also be looking into repainting and resurfacing these properties as well as employing a full time gardener to maintain the grass.”

Central Scotland MSP Alex Neil added: “At a time when money is so tight, I question the wisdom of this decision to build a new headquarters. There is a real shortage of houses right now in Lanarkshire, and every penny should be spent on building more homes and, of course, keeping the existing stock in a decent condition.

“After all, that is their primary purpose.”