Find out whatimprovementsare happeningin your areaP2

How thewelfare reformscouldaffect youP4

West Dunbartonshire Council will delivera sweeping programme of improvementsand repairs to its housing stock and localestates in the coming year.

Money will also be invested in building much needednew Council homes.

Tenants will benefit in a host of ways including roofreplacements, bathroom renewals, kitchen renewals,new door entry systems, lift upgrades, insulation upgrades,roughcast renewals and heating improvements.

The investment plan was recently agreed by Councillors and will be rolled out throughout West Dunbartonshire.

The largest projects inthe programme of workswill be spent on externallycladding a number of prop-erties including high riseblocks in Dalmuir and KilbowieCourt, making over 500 homes dryer, warmer andmore energy efficient including new windows.

In addition to this the Council will be concentratingefforts on external walls and structures of Low Riseproperties covering a range of construction and includinginsulation improvements where required.

The Council has also committed £1 million to fund

the replacement of obsolete boilers and those that arebeyond repair. Meanwhile, £3 million will be spent upgrading bathrooms and kitchens, and £1.5 million invested in replacing roofs and guttering.

The Council is also mindful of residents concernsover the importance of improving the appearance of neighbourhoods and has committed £500,000 to general environmental work. This will be spent on projects such as repairing pathways, resurfacing carparks and landscaping areas.

54% of the Council’s housing stock covered by theScottish Housing Quality Standard will be up to standardby 31 March 2013 and it is planned that this will rise to

75% by 31 March 2014.Helen Turley, Head of

Housing and CommunitySafety, said: “We are com-mitted to upgrading everyCouncil home to the Scottish

Housing Quality Standard by 2015 and this investmentwill help achieve that. It should also make a big difference to the quality of life of our tenants and make improvements to the general appearance of a number of estates in West Dunbartonshire.”

WDTRO SECURE BIG IMPROVEMENTS

More than 1,350 tenants and residentshave had their close painted in thepast year thanks to £800,000 extra investment secured by the WestDunbartonshire Tenants and ResidentsOrganisation (WDTRO).

Other improvements include 206 homesthat have had their guttering replaced or repaired, 26 properties having externallights renewed or replaced and 148 smokealarms and wiring tested.

The money was allocated after theWDTRO called on Councillors to reduce theamounts charged for repairs by the DirectLabour Organisation on Council homes.This saving was then retained within theHousing and Revenue Account for use on increased repairs and investment on housing-related capital projects.

The WDTRO agreed that the £800,000should be spent on a range of maintenancework which would be visible to tenantswithin their communities.

The Council expects that similar fundswill be made available during 2013-14 andintends to meet again with Tenants andResidents Associations to discuss howmoney will be spent this year.

Hugh O’Donnell, from WDTRO, said:“We are very happy to see the changes in charges for repairs now showing the results we hoped for. We also look forward toobtaining similar funding in the coming yearto achieve further upgrades and repairs.”

The quarterly newsletter for tenants of West Dunbartonshire Council SPRING 2013

we look forward to obtaining similar funding

in the coming year”“

Close painting across West Dunbartonshire was funded by the WDTRO proposal

We are committed to upgrading every home to the SHQS by 2015”“

Helen Turley, Head of Housing

and Community Safety

INVESTMENT PLANNEDFOR COUNCILHOUSING STOCK

£35M

Recladding at Rosshead in Alexandria, and Drumry (below), are examples of ongoing improvement projects

Win £50in supermarketvouchers. Just fillin our surveyto enter

Demolition underway in West Dunbartonshire

P6

P2

COUNCIL WINSF U N D I N G TO BR ING EMPTYHOMES BACK TO LIFE

IMPROVING YOURHOMES AND AREASFollowing the recently announced£35 million investment in housing in the coming year our staff andcontractors will be busy throughoutWest Dunbartonshire making improvements.

The Council is helping create

new homes for tenants

For more information contact

the Empty Homes Officer on

01389 737576 or email

kathryn.kelly@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

West Dunbartonshire Council hasbeen awarded £150,000 of fundingto help bring some of the area’sempty homes back into use.

The cash from the Scottish Government’sEmpty Homes Loan Fund will provideloans to homeowners who need financialhelp to bring their empty homes back upto a lettable standard. The condition of theloan specifies that the properties will thenhave to be leased out as affordable housingfor a minimum of 5 years.

Empty Homes Officer Kathryn Kelly explained: “West Dunbartonshire currentlyhas over 300 long term empty homes. Themain issue that owners seem to be havingis that the properties are stuck on the market, unable to sell.”

As well as running the loan schemeKathryn can help homeowners accessother incentives to bring their empty homesback into use. Potential discounts frombuilder’s merchants, and a VAT reductionon works to improve empty properties.

Councillor David McBride, Convenerfor Housing, said: “Empty homes are awasted resource that could be used tohelp meet the area’s need for affordablehousing. They can also cause problemsfor residents living in their vicinity, and can have a negative impact on the wider community.

“Bringing empty homes back into use isa positive thing on so many levels - it increases housing supply and boosts localregeneration and community safety.”

Bringing empty homes back into use is a positive thing on so many levels”“

ALEXANDRIA

DUMBARTON

CLYDEBANK

LOCHLOMOND

RIVER CLYDE

ERSKINE BRIDGE

Below is a map showing a snapshot of some of theactivities taking place in each ward. These are by nomeans the only works taking place and many projectswill be delivered in most or all wards.

As part of the Council’scommitment to achieve theScottish Quality HousingStandard by 2015 workwill be rolled out to replace and upgrade

bathrooms and kitchens. Residents in Haldane Court will see much neededenvironmental works being carried out to replace uneven surfaces and the installation of access ramps and moreadequate drainage.

LOMOND

The Council will be carry-ing out low rise fabric upgrades to homes whereit is not viable to use cavity insulation. Homesin the ward will benefit

from an external insulated render to make their living environment morecomfortable, more aesthetically pleasingas well as having the potential to reduceheating bills.

LEVEN

Stock condition survey information has identifieda number of propertieswhere the roofs are inneed of replacement, othershave obsolete tiles or

are impossible to effectively maintain.Major investment will be taking placeand housing in Dumbarton has beenidentified as a priority area.The areawill also be seeing properties benefitfrom upgrading bathrooms and kitchens.

DUMBARTON

Officers will be workinghard to install new gascentral heating systemsto houses which havebeen identified as havingobsolete boilers or those

that are approaching the end of theirlife-span. Residents will benefit fromwarmer homes and cheaper bills, aswell as avoid the risk of a breakdownduring cold winter months.

The Council will continueits substantial investmentin the Dalmuir multi-storeyflats to make homeswarmer, drier and cheaperto run and will be

commencing a similar project at Kilbowie Court. The work also makesthe blocks more aesthetically pleasingfor those living locally and visitors tothe area.

CLYDEBANK CENTRAL

The recent stock conditionsurvey has identified anumber of properties wherethe roofs are in need of replacement and theCouncil will be progressing

these works within the ward. Major investment will be taking place to replace consumer units and kitchenand bathrooms in the area.

CLYDEBANK WATERFRONT

WARD2

WARD1

WARD3 WARD

4

WARD5 WARD

6

WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE

KILPATRICK

P3

TIME TO ACT IS NOWDear Tenants,Can I begin by welcoming you to thespring edition of Housing News whichI hope you’ll find full of interestingnews and information to help you as atenant of West Dunbartonshire Council.

As April 2013 approaches I feel it is important to use this column to once againflag up the impending and radical welfarereforms being introduced across Scotlandby the UK Government.

These changes, particularly the so-calledbedroom tax, benefit cap and universalcredit, will affect thousands of our tenantsand residents and it is important to seekhelp now to prepare as best you can.

To highlight this issue I know that our staff have been door-to-door visiting hundreds of tenants to explain the changes,as well as sending letters and raising theissue in previous Housing News. I’m also delighted that we will be holding a tenantconference on welfare reform in May to giveyou all the practical information and supportwe can. The full details are on page 4 and Iwould urge you all to attend if you can.

The recent budget meeting in Februarymarked a significant moment in the future of housing in West Dunbartonshire. As aCouncil we agreed to invest £85 million into upgrading existing Council homes inthis area, building or supporting more newhomes and undertaking the demolition ofunwanted stock that has blighted manycommunities for years.

This is exactly the sort of action thatWest Dunbartonshire needs if it is to createa modern welcoming environment for us all to live and work in. I am excited by how things will look in five years time and know that this investment and regeneration will be something that can benefit future generations for decades to come.

Best wishesCouncillor David McBrideConvener for Housing

I’m delighted that we will be holding a tenant conference on welfare reform in May ”“

Twelve families in West Dunbartonshire havenow used the Council’s free HomeSwapperscheme to find their perfect new home.

Homeswapper offers tenants an easy and quick way of swapping their home with another Council or Housing Association tenant.

Tenants go online, register and then can start lookingfor a property exchange that matches their needs in WestDunbartonshire and elsewhere in the UK.

Some of the local home swaps that have already takenplace include Dumbarton with Bonhill, Clydebank withClydebank and Alexandria with Haldane.

McBride

The Scottish Housing Regulatoris currently undertaking an inquiry into the Council’s Housing Services - includingmaintenance and asset management - with particular emphasis on how the ScottishHousing Quality Standard willbe achieved by 2015.

The inquiry is also looking at newhomes, investment in home safety,empty homes, how the Council is organised for improvement, efficiency,

value for money and customer focus.The on-site review will also include meet-ings with our tenant representatives.

The Council expects to receive adraft response from the Inquiry inMay, and after an opportunity for theCouncil to comment, the Regulatorwill publish its final report in June.Look out for an update in the nextHousing News.

The Scottish Housing Regulatorwas established on 1 April, 2011, andis the independent regulator of all

registered social landlord and localauthority housing services in Scotland.It is directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament and has a statutoryobligation, to:

"safeguard and promote the interestsof current and future tenants of sociallandlords, people who are or may become homeless, and people whouse housing services provided byregistered social landlords (RSLs)and local authorities".

Register online now at www.homeswapper.co.ukor for more information contact

Jennifer MacMahon(jennifer.macmahon@west-dunbarton.gov.uk)

on 01389 737721

HOUSE SWAPSUCCESS

If you want to use Homeswapper but don’t haveaccess to the internet or need help registering youcan visit any area housing office where staff will behappy to help and can provide you with a registrationform.

Once you are registered you’ll be able to go onlineand view homes that may match your needs, andstart receiving emails or texts with the details of suitable exchange partners.

Tracy Ann Lock successfully swapped her home in Bonhillfor a new property in Dumbarton before Christmas 2012.She said: “We had been looking for a while without much success but have found a great new home using Homeswapper. It is definitely the best place to find compatible swaps and I would highly recommend it to others. It certainly beats trips to Council offices to look atout-of-date information.”

SCOTTISH HOUSING REGULATOR REVIEWING COUNCIL SERVICE

COUNCILLOR McBRIDECONVENER OF HOUSING

David

Housing Officers have been going door-to-door to advise tenants about welfare reform

Tracy’s old house in BonhillTracy’s daughter Jessica is enjoying the

new Dumbarton home which they moved intofive months ago.

P4

West Dunbartonshire Council’sHousing Maintenance and Repairsteam has scooped a top nationalaward from the Association for PublicService Excellence (APSE).

The team took the top prize in the"Most Improved Performer in BuildingMaintenance" category at the awards, and also narrowly missed out on a second prestigious honour by reaching the final of the "Best Performer in Building Maintenance" category.

The APSE Performance Networks Awardscelebrate the best performers in local government front line services from allacross the UK. West Dunbartonshire Councilhas been a finalist in the building mainte-nance categories every year since 2009.

Councillor David McBride, Convener forHousing, said: "The Housing Maintenanceand Repairs team is a perfect example ofa hard working Council Team that deservesrecognition. We have around 10,000 Councilhomes across the authority and this teamdoes a great job of looking after them onbehalf of our tenants. Congratulations onwinning this award. To beat off teams fromacross the UK is a great achievement."

Stephen McGonagle, Maintenance andRepairs Manager, said: "We’re delightedto win this award on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council. Our repairs service completes 97% of repairs within targettimes, which ranks us as the fifth best performing local authority in Scotland.However, we'll never be complacent aboutperformance, and we have set ambitioustargets to maintain service improvement inthe years to come."

COUNCIL WINSN A T I O N A LH O U S I N GMAINTENANCEA W A R D

The Housing Maintenance and Repairs Team is a perfect example of a hard working Council team that deserves

recognition”

“

TENANT CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON WELFAREREFORM

Tenants can view the Council’sprogress in improving local housingby reading the recently updatedLocal Housing Strategy (2011-2016).

The report updates on progressmade on delivering better homes andhighlights local and national policy developments which may impact onhousing.

Of particular focus are the keyhousing themes of:

• Housing Need and Demand• Promoting Good Quality Housing• Homelessness• Sustainable and Supportive Communities• Addressing Particular Housing Needs.

The Council is hosting a conference to discuss the dramatic changes to thebenefits system that are expected to affect thousands of tenants in WestDunbartonshire.April 2013 sees the introduction of the bedroom tax with the national roll out of Universal Credit, which replacesmany existing benefits, expectedto begin later this year.If you want to find out more

about these changes make sureyou join us on Saturday 18thMay, in the Clydebank TownHall, for a series of workshopsand information stalls.

Registration starts at 9.30am for a 10am start. Theconference will finish at 12 noon.

Helen Turley, Head of Housingand Community Safety said: “Weare doing everything we can toalert and inform tenants to the dramatic changes that are about totake place to the welfare system.”

If you don’t have transport, wecan provide it for you. We will also provide you with crèche facilities ifyou book it with us.”

Pictured left to right are John Drake (Planned Programme

Co-ordinator), Emmerdale actress Kelsey Beth Crossley,

Martin Feeney (Maintenance Co-ordinator)

The Annual Update is now available

on the Council’s website:www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk

APRIL 2012

WEST DUNBARTONSHIRELOCAL HOUSING STRATEGY2011 - 2016

HOUSING IN WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE

We are doing everything we can to alert and inform

tenants to the dramatic changesthat are about to take place to

the welfare system”

“

To book your place contact West Dunbartonshire Council on

01389 737 743 or 01389 737 702 or email housingnews@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

The Council expects a lot of interest from

tenants in the welfare reform conference

P5

Dear All

Once again it’s been a busy time for all staff in the housing and community safety services. As youwill see in this Housing News, the Council’s programme to demolishsurplus stock is underway at NorthMountblow. This is the beginning of ademolition programme which willclear potential sites for housing re-generation removing ugly and emptybuildings from our communities.

At the same time the Council’s newhome building is moving on well with the first new properties in Granville Street, Clydebank being ready for allocation and occupation before the summer of this year.These homes will be followed by 15 newhomes in Miller Street, Haldane later in theyear and the first homes in Bellsmyre areexpected to be complete by August 2014.

As well as investment in new homes, the Council continues to invest in existing housing and a capital programme of £35m is planned for 2013-14. The mainworks will involve overcladding the multi-storey flats at Dalmuir, undertakingroofing and roughcasting works in homesacross West Dunbartonshire, replacing obsolete heating systems and continuingwith the kitchen and bathroom replacement programmes.

The Scottish Housing Regulator is currently reviewing the Council’s approachto asset management and many of the tenant and resident associations will havebeen contacted by the Regulator to get their views on the Council’s performance in delivering improvements to houses andhow it communicates with tenants involved.The report will be ready in the summer andwe will be talking to tenants about its findings.

I would like to finish by highlighting thegreat achievement of the Council’s repairsand maintenance service in 2012-13. Theyrightly received a national award from theAssociation of Public Sector Excellenceand we are extremely proud of all staffworking in the repairs service. In additioncongratulations go to Elisha McKendrickwho won the award for the best overall 3rdyear apprentice in Scotland at the APSEconference in February this year.

Best wishes,

Helen TurleyHead of Housing and Community Safety

Helen Turley

HEAD OF HOUSING & COMMUNITY SAFETY

The latest survey shows tenants believe theCouncil should do more to show tenants thatgetting involved makes a difference.

They added that if they could see their involvementmade a difference then they would be more likely totake part.

Tenants also called for more meetings to be heldand for transport to meetings and childcare to be pro-vided to help people take part.

On the positive side tenants reported that the Councilhad built trust and improved working relationships with tenants and that they were happy with the standard ofinformation the housing service provides. In particularthey really enjoyed the regular Housing News magazine.

The information was provided as part of the tenantsurvey conducted in December. In total 167 tenants responded, along with 24 staff.

Tenants and Tenants and Residents Associationsalso took part by coming out to meet with us at threefocus groups.

Joanne Martin, Tenant Participation Officer, said:“The feedback from tenants has been really useful inhelping us decide what the aims of the new Tenant Participation Strategy should be. We will do more todemonstrate good tenant participation and to let tenantsknow that transport to meetings, childcare and flexiblemeeting times and venues are already in place to encourage our tenants to get involved”.

The views expressed by tenants in the survey havebeen incorporated into the Council’s draft Tenant Participation Strategy 2013-16 which is now out forconsultation. You can get a copy of the summary of responses to the tenant participation review and the draft strategy by contacting Lynnette O’Brien at:

lynnette.obrien@west-dunbarton.gov.uk or by calling01389 737 743 or downloading it from the Council’swebsite.

5 Alexander Street, Alexandria, 7pmWed 17 April (AGM) Wed 5 JuneDALMUIR MSFs TENANTS and RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONDalmuir CE Centre, Clydebank, 7.30pmWed 17 April (AGM) Wed 5 JuneDUNTOCHER TENANTS and RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONDuntocher Village Hall, New Street, 7pmTue 9 April (AGM) Tue 11 June (AGM)RISK STREET TENANTS and RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONSt Augustine’s Church Hall, 7pmTue 19 March (AGM)ROSSHEAD TENANTS and RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONLevendale Primary School, 7.30pm24 April (AGM) Wed 15 May Wed 19 JuneTULLICHEWAN TENANTS and RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONCommunity Flat, 2/1 McGregor Walk, Tullichewan, 7.30pmWed 10 April Wed 8 May Wed 8 June

POSITIVE STEPSAND ROOM FORIMPROVEMENT

Anna Lindsay, from Clydebank won an iPod shufflefor filling in the survey. Phyllis Gillan, Secretary forthe WDTRO was on hand to give her the prize.

66% 71%66% 71%Said there were not

enough opportunities to influence housing and

housing services

Agreed the Council had improved communication

and feedback to tenants

JAN FEB MAR APR

MAY JUN JUL AUG

SEP OCT NOV DEC

X

ATTEND YOUR LOCAL HOUSING MEETING

We are extremely proud of all staff working in the

repairs service”“

CENTRAL ALEXANDRIA TENANTS and RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

A bus will be provided for anyone attending. Leaves from the community flat -

16/3 Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead at 7pm

P6

INVESTMENT AND REGENERATION WELL UNDERWAY

HOMELESSNESSSTRATEGY OUT FORCONSULTATIONA new draft Homelessness Strategy2013-2016 is out to consultation.

The strategy sets out what the Councilwill do to try to prevent homelessness fromhappening, how we will provide support toensure that people stay in their homes andthe information and advice we will provideabout a range of housing options.

As part of the consultation we are holdingthree events to discuss the draft Strategy- we would like you to come along and getinvolved in these discussions.Monday 25th March, 1pm - 4pm Hub Community Centre, ClydebankTuesday 26th March, 1pm - 4pm Alexandria CEC, AlexandriaThursday 28th March, 1pm - 4pmBurgh Hall, Dumbarton

If you are interested in coming alongplease book your place by calling

Jennifer MacMahon on 01389 737 721 or by emailing:

jennifer.macmahon@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

For a copy of strategy please visit:www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk

or ask for a copy at your local housing office or contact Jennifer using the

contact details above.

Demolitions, surveys and improvement worksare taking place across West Dunbartonshireright now as the Council seeks to meet theScottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015.

Following the announcement to end the partial stocktransfer process last summer, the Council swung intoaction to create stock retention plans that make thebest use of our homes and ensures they are fit for modernliving. This included the acceleration of demolitions toestablish regeneration opportunities across the WestDunbartonshire area.

The demolition of surplus houses began last monthwith properties in Salisbury Place and Lilac Avenue inClydebank the first to come down. Next in line are Dumbarton properties in Napier Crescent and CarrickTerrace followed by the multi-storey flats in Bellsmyreand properties in Glenside. The programme is likely tobe completed by the middle of 2014. More propertieshave been declared surplus in Glenside, Alexandria,and Clydebank.

The Council is continuing discussions with otherHousing Associations about their role as a strategicpartner to help build homes once some of these siteshave been cleared. The Council will confirm its preferredpartner in the near future.

The Council has also commissioned surveys of every Council house to determine the level of investment needed to make it a home fit for the 21stcentury. This is currently out to tender and a consultantis likely to be appointed in April 2013. The consultantwill write to each tenant setting out the date and timethe survey will take place. The person carrying out the survey will be able to show you their identification.If someone is at your door and they can’t show youthe correct identification - then don’t let them into yourhome.

Finally, the Council approved its Housing AssetManagement Strategy last month and this sets outwhat needs to be done to make the best use of housesand other assets.

West Dunbartonshire Council has agreed a2013/14 budget that looks to improve thelives of the poorest and most vulnerable inits local community.The Administration announced a range of

supportive measures including doubling the clothinggrant to £100 for 4,500 children and their families, a new £487,500 fund to help residents most affectedby the Government welfare reforms, and £300,000extra to assist young people to find jobs.There was also an investment of £80,000 per year

to help pupils at our schools to achieve better grades,£50,000 set aside to provide driving lessons toyoung people to increase independence and improvejob prospects, and a commitment to increase funding

to Shopmobility by £38,113 to help those with dis-ability, illness or injury still lead independent lives.The Council also agreed to create a £1.5m

Communities Improvement Fund to enhance the localarea with projects such as sports pitch improvementsand new play parks.Elsewhere £500,000 has been put towards the

regeneration of West Dunbartonshire, and an extra£50,000 per year will be spent on local events tohelp increase tourism.Clydebank will benefit from a £15,000 per year

investment to bring Registrar Services back to thearea, while £20,000 per year will be spent to bringlibrary provision back to Faifley on a sessional basis.£20,000 will be used to fund a discount scheme for

Community TheatreGroups using the newly refurbished ClydebankTown Hall.To help fund these

announcements theCouncil agreed to anumber of savingso p t i o n s w o r t h£2.087m in 2013/14including means-testing arrangements tocare homes so that those who can afford to pay nolonger receive a subsidy, and introducing chargesfor Council Tax payments made by credit or debitcards.

COUNCIL HELPS THOSE MOST IN NEED WITH 2013/14 BUDGET

Get a copy of the Strategy by contacting Sarah Ward on 01389 737 281 or emailing:sarah.ward@west-dunbarton.gov.uk or download it from the Council’s website

My stepdad and meÉwe just didnae get on

ÒÓ

Homelessnesscan happen can happen to anyone...

We can help if you are homeless or threatened with homelessnessWe can provide assistance with� Housing advice andinformation

� Temporary accommodation� Housing support

If you need urgentassistance out ofnormal working hours,including weekends andpublic holidays

0800 Call our

0800 197 1004

Homelessness

24hr freefone

Ending Homelessnessin West Dunbartonshire

Demolition works at Salisbury Place, Clydebank, began last month

Let us know what you think about th

e Council’s

plans for your homes. Come along to our Info

rmation

workshops on the Housing Asset M

anagement Strategy

Thursday 25 April 2013 at Dumba

rton Burgh Hall

Workshops: 10.30am - 12.30pm an

d 2pm - 4pm

Please contact Sarah Ward on 0138

9 373152 if you

would like to attend. Transport provi

ded.

P7

JONATHAN McCOLLLAB

SNPSSP

INDCOUNCIL OFFICESGARSHAKE ROADDUMBARTON G82 3PUT: 01389 737511M: 07939 002886

MARTIN ROONEY LABSNP

SSPIND

HAZEL SORRELL LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

GARSHAKE ROADDUMBARTON G82 3PUM: 07538 842600

JIM BOLLAN

LABSNP

SSPIND

4 ENDRICK WAYALEXANDRIA G83 0URT: 01389 756397M: 07803 668766

JOHN MILLAR LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

GARSHAKE ROADDUMBARTON G82 3PUM: 07961 713003

GAIL ROBERTSONLAB

SNPSSP

INDCOUNCIL OFFICESGARSHAKE ROADDUMBARTON G82 3PUT:M: 07538 846212

MICHELLE STEWART LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

GARSHAKE ROADDUMBARTON G82 3PUT:M: 07538 842622

GEORGE BLACK

LABSNP

SSPIND

COUNCIL OFFICESGARSHAKE ROADDUMBARTON G82 3PUT: 01389 761449M: 07909 890840

DAVID McBRIDE LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

GARSHAKE ROADDUMBARTON G82 3PUT: 01389 767758M: 07961 711664

IAN MURRAYLAB

SNPSSP

INDCOUNCIL OFFICESGARSHAKE ROADDUMBARTON G82 3PUM: 07538 842624

THOMAS RAINEY LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

GARSHAKE ROADDUMBARTON G82 3PUM: 07538 846410

JIM FINNLAB

SNPSSP

INDCOUNCIL OFFICESROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGM: 07961 713007O: 01389 738520

DOUGLAS McALLISTER LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

ROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGT: 01389 890623

LAWRENCE O’NEILL LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

ROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGM: 07909 890842O: 01389 738704

DENIS AGNEW

LABSNP

SSPIND

COUNCIL OFFICESROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGT: 0141 952 8954

JIM BROWNLAB

SNPSSP

INDCOUNCIL OFFICESROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGT: 01389 876449M: 07961 713010

PATRICK McGLINCHEY LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

ROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGT: 01389 873186M: 07961 713361

JOHN MOONEY LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

ROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGM: 07538 842583

GAIL CASEY LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

ROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGT: 0141 951 4595M: 07909 891242

WILLIAM HENDRIELAB

SNPSSP

INDCOUNCIL OFFICESROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGT: 01389 738650M: 07943 813111

MARIE McNAIR

LABSNP

SSPIND

COUNCIL OFFICESROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGT: 01389 738743M: 07909 891237

KATH RYALL LABSNP

SSPINDCOUNCIL OFFICES

ROSEBERY PLACECLYDEBANK G81 1TGT: 01389 738782M: 07538 842579

COUNCIL OFFICESGARSHAKE ROADDUMBARTON G82 3PUT: 01389 602562M: 07909 890846

CLYDEBAN

KWA

TERFRO

NTLOMO

NDLEVEN

DUMB

ARTON

KILPATRICK

CLYDEBAN

KCENTRAL

1

2

3

4

5

6

know your

councillors

ELECTEDMEMBERS2012 - 2017

P8

Other formatsThis document can be viewed as a pdf on our website:http://www.wdcweb.info/housing/housing-newsIt can also be provided in large print, Braille or on audio cassette and can be translated into different community languages. Please contact: Corporate Communications, Council Offices, Garshake Road, Dumbarton, G82 3PU. Tel: 01389 737000

don’t miss the next edition of Housing News due out in summer!

CONTACT CENTRE 01389 738282

HOUSING - GENERAL ENQUIRIESDumbarton 01389 738282Clydebank 01389 738282HOMELESS EMERGENCY(24 hour freephone) 0800 197 1004HOUSING - REPORTING A REPAIRC’bank, Dumbarton/Alexandria 0800 073 8708Out of hours 0800 197 1004Repairs Centres are open between 8.30am and 4.15pm, Monday to FridayEMERGENCY REPAIRS(out-of-hours freephone) 0800 197 1004Gas heating repairs (City Technical) 0800 073 0341Sold Property Team 0141 562 2442Tenant Participation 01389 737281ASIST (all antisocial behaviour services can be contacted through this number)

01389 772048SOCIAL WORK - GENERAL ENQUIRIESDumbarton 01389 737020Clydebank 0141 562 8800Alexandria 01389 608080FINANCIAL SERVICESCouncil Tax 01389 738252or 01389 737444HOUSING, REGENERATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESSpecial (bulky) uplifts - Contact Centre 01389 738282Grass cutting 01389 608412Litter hotline 01389 772059Environmental Health 01389 738290Pest Control 01389 738282Waste Aware 0845 111 0050Consumer Direct 0845 404 0506Trading Standards 01389 738552Caretaking service 01389 608903/904COUNCILLORS - GENERAL ENQUIRIES:Clydebank 01389 738782Dumbarton/Alexandria 01389 737540GENERALCitizens’ Advice Bureau:Dumbarton 01389 744690Alexandria 01389 752727Clydebank 0141 435 7590Community Transport Service 0141 333 3252HOME from HOME 01389 733733Energy Advice (Energy Saving Trust) 0800 512 012Samaritans 0845 790 9090Welfare Rights 01389 737050Lesbian and Gay Switchboard 0141 847 0447RELATE (Relationship Scotland) 0141 248 5249Victim Support Scotland 0141 952 2095Dog warden 01389 738652Greenlight 01389 721012Women’s AidDumbarton/Alexandria 01389 751036Clydebank 0141 952 8118PoliceClydebank 0141 532 3300Dumbarton 01389 822000Alexandria 01389 823000Crimestoppers (freephone) 0800 555 111

Useful phone numbers

In person...Use your swipe card and pay by:• cash or cheque• cheque or Postal Order by post to any area housing office• credit or debit cardThrough your bank...Pay by standing order or direct debit. This means your rent/ CouncilTax is paid automatically from your bank account. Pick up a formfrom the rent counter at any of the local housing offices.At the Post Office...You can also pay by direct debit at any Post Office or Paypointoutlet. Use your swipe card and pay by:• cash or chequeBy telephone/internet...Use your credit or debit card to make a payment for your rent,Council Tax or debtor account by:• calling our Contact Centre on 01389 738282• calling our automatic telephone payment service on 01389 732376 at any time

• calling one of our officers during working hours• logging onto our website: www.wdcweb.info and clicking on the ‘Pay Your Way’ button to go to the payment pages

WAYS TO PAY YOUR RENT...SPRING WORDSEARCH TEASER

BUDSCHICKDAFFODILSEASTERFLOWERSFOALGRASSHYACINTHRABBITRAINBOW

Can you find 10 words associated with spring from the list below? Answers can be found horizontally, vertically, diagonally or even backwards!

try our tea time teaser!

Popular Caretaker’s Supervisor Bill Ruine hasreceived £200 of Argos vouchers in recognitionof his 25 years service to the Council.

Bill, aged 55, began with Dumbarton District Councilin 1987 in the Parks department and latterly moved toLeisure Services.

He began working in the Housing Department asa Caretaker in 1991 and in 2004 was appointed AreaSupervisor for Clydebank’s Caretaking services.

During his time in post he has successfully assisted the caretaking team in achieving CharterMark status for customer service, and continues tosupport the Management Team in providing a well received and appreciated serviceto tenants and residents in Clydebank.

Bill, who lives in Dumbarton,said: “It has been a privilege towork with great colleagues and Iwill continue to ensure that we deliver the best service available to our tenants andresidents across the authority.” David Lynch, responsible

for the Estate Management andCaretaking Service in Clydebank,said: “Bill’s experience and commit-ment to the job is unrivalled, and

he brings a dedication that others should look to as an example.”

25 YEARS SERVICEFOR BILL

Bill (right) was delighted to receive his £200 Argos vouchers from David Lynch, Senior Housing Officer

Bill’s experience and commitment to the job is unrivalled”“

R Z U O I R V F J F K U A LI C X O Z M A R L L C W O CD A F F O D I L S O I J U CH T W G W T K J V W H N P LN Y I T E E L C Z E C J H OY F A B W W R S Z R L G L JY E O C B A R B V S P L U US I R A I A A W V D S O Q EJ V T N L N R R S H S V B ZP A B L B Y T M D S I I W IL O W U E N J H A R T K B NW R E T S A E R R P V N V UL G F H E S G G G O B B J NF B U D S L V U A O F I H J