ON a sweltering evening in Kilmersdon our second residents’ meeting of the summer was full of lively discussion as tenants were given the chance to air their views and hear what’s going on at White Horse Housing Association.
Operations Director Belinda Eastland told tenants about WHHA’s regular scheme inspections, and how they identify issues before they become problems, and its complaints handling procedure.
She also outlined the support available for tenants through its Tenancy Plus Service and Discretionary Support Fund.
The residents were kept up to date on the retrofit of environmental improvements to homes in Ammerdown Terrace elsewhere in the village, with 18 consultations being carried out ahead of Phase Two. She said tenants have been visited to discuss what improvements had been suggested by surveyors to raise the energy efficiency of their homes – including new windows, solar panels, and heating and insulation upgrades.
Maintenance Manager Darrel Smith said in Phase One all front windows have been replaced with new Upvc windows with A rated glass; three to four solar panels were installed to all properties; solar diverters were installed to ensure hot water is heated using spare solar capacity; cavity wall insulation was installed in the rear extensions; loft insulation was increased and rear porch and bathroom and bedroom ceilings were boarded with 12.5mm plasterboard and 25mm solid insulation.
New roofs on all the homes in Ammerdown Terrace were also installed, despite the delay to accommodate bats.
Housing Officer Ann Norvill took feedback from residents about WHHA’s service and Chief Executive Steve Warran updated them on WHHA’s development programme, which includes two new shared ownership homes in Hoare’s Lane, Kilmersdon and the conversion of the Meeting Room at Coles Gardens.
Andrew Fry won the draw and took home a shopping voucher.
Belinda said: “Everyone enjoyed cake and tea, coffee, the temperature outside was sizzling and the chat inside was buzzing, everyone was very happy and we enjoyed a lively and interesting evening.”
The final meeting of the summer will be on September 5 at Sally Pussey’s Inn, Royal Wootton Bassett.