Fife Housing Association held its Annual General Meeting at the Pitbauchlie Hotel, Dunfermline where members were told by Chairperson, Lorna Paterson, to expect tough challenges ahead as the Association deals with the continuing recession, cuts in housing development grants and prepares itself to manage the UK Government’s proposed changes to the welfare benefits system.

But, in the Association's Annual report, Mrs Paterson highlighted some of its major achievements over the year which, she said, should inspire confidence in the Association's ability to meet those challenges positively and creatively.

She said that the Association had one of the lowest management costs in Scotland and had significantly improved its effectiveness in collecting rent owed saying that every pound not collected was a pound not available to be spent on services and improvements.

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She highlighted the importance of the rebranding of the Association's property services under the banner of PRISM Property Solutions, the department’s move into new premises in Lochgelly and introduction of new working patterns and technologies designed to improve the full range of services from housing repairs and maintenance to improvement and new build.

She asked Association members to reflect on the success of the new subsidiary company which had acquired and built new homes for rent and sale that were already adding value to the overall Fife Housing business.

Those new homes, she said, were in addition to the new affordable rented and shared equity homes that had been provided in Crombie and Dunfermline, including the first new certified Gold Standard Passive Houses in Scotland at Inchkeith Drive, Abbeyview.

In thanking staff and Board members for their contributions over the year Mrs Paterson paid tribute to the work of those who were retiring from the Board while welcoming back former Association Chairperson, Alex Condie.

Mrs Paterson was re-elected as Chairperson. Philip Shave was re-elected as Secretary and Vice-Chairperson. Alex Condie was elected Treasurer.

Mrs Paterson said there were still places available on the Board and appealed to anyone with a genuine interest in the Association and its aims and objectives to come foward and consider joining the existing team. She said that people with a background in business and accountancy would be particularly welcomed at this time.