Your Questions AnsweredYour Questions Answered
This is a selection of questions regarding the partnership process that we have received to date.
Please bookmark this page as we will be posting new questions received on a regular basis.
GENERAL PARTNERSHIP QUESTIONS
Q: I am considering the merger proposal and feel that an opportunity to discuss issues with other Cube residents would be helpful.
It seems a missed opportunity and there is only one Saturday morning consultation event for residents who work full time, and no online message board for any interested resident to discuss pros and cons etc.
I will contact some other Wyndford residents myself and am aware that changes would not be practical for this consultation but wondered if ways of supporting on line discussions for future consultations would be considered by Cube HA
A: Thank you for emailing about the consultation. There is no online forum, but we will publish the questions we get on the website (anonymously) with our answers. I think we should provide a forum in future – thanks for the suggestion.
There are a couple of opportunities for you to discuss this with other tenants. As you say, there is the open day on Saturday 19th November. There is also a Forum at Maryhill Burgh Halls from 7pm to 8pm on Wednesday 9th November.
Invitations have gone to members of the Wyndford Residents Association, and also to residents who are on our "Register of Interested Customers" (people who have told us in the past that they would like to come to meetings on topics of interest). You should have received an invitation to the Forum on the 9th but if you haven't, please do come along, and bring any other residents you know would be interested.
Q: Can we confirm whether we are entering into a partnership or whether Cube will be a subsidiary as these terms have their own distinct meanings?
A: Cube will formally be a subsidiary of GHA; however, both organisations will retain their own identity. A group structure is one option for partnership working.
Q: Will this partnership be the start of more to come, given the challenges in the economy?
A: Government direction is looking for RSLs and Councils to be more creative in how they do business and to look at ways to do more for less as the challenges in the economy tighten. Our partnership discussions are not unique and we recently saw Irvine Housing Association becoming part of the English based Riverside Group. The sector will be watching with interest to see what Cube and GHA can achieve together. It is hoped that, if successful, others may follow the Cube/ GHA lead to work together where it makes sense.
Q: How will Cube and other GHA subsidiaries, e.g. Lowther Homes be related?
A: Cube would be a subsidiary of GHA, the same as Glasgow Funding Ltd, YourPlace (factoring) and the fairly new GHA Enterprises which is intended to sit over GHA's commercial business. Lowther Homes, which develops properties for market rent,falls under GHA Enterprises. All arms of the group will use the services of each other where it makes good business sense.
Q: How has the £10m of additional investment for Cube over the next 6 years been calculated?
A: A combination of efficiencies, through some shared back office functions, and using our contracting and procurement arrangements to tap into whichever provides best value for money. The savings will allow Cube to afford to borrow more.
Q: Will GHA be subsidising the additional investment for Cube?
A: The numbers assume no cross-subsidy from GHA and no government grants; the partnership will release extra funds for both Associations, not just Cube.
Q: Has the Scottish Housing Regulator given an early indication that they are happy with what Cube and GHA are doing?
A: We have had positive initial discussions with SHR who await the detailed business plan and the outcome of the consultation case to allow them to conduct their review.
BENEFITS FOR GHA TENANTS
Q: What extra benefits will GHA tenants will get from partnership?
A: GHA tenants benefit from a reduction in GHA management costs which gives us scope to either do more or keep rent charges more stable. Additionally GHA tenants next to Cube areas would see the wider area get better as a result of the additional investment in Cube stock. GHA tenants may also benefit from Cube's expertise and experience with one example being their innovative Combined Heat and Power scheme proposed at their Wyndford estate.
RENT RISES
Q: Will Cube/ GHA decisions on rent increases be binding on each other?
A: For next year, as consultation and decisions are required on rent setting before the partnership is fully agreed and implemented, we will make decisions separately. In future we will work to a group strategy to keep rents as affordable as possible. Cube will make its own consideration as part of its budgeting and business planning process. A partnership will allow Cube to choose balancing doing more with keeping rents more stable.
SERVICES
Q: Would Cube going into the GHA group put additional strain on the Customer Service Centre and GHA shop?
A. Cube will retain its own staff and services. For repairs requests, Cube customers report these to Cube directly or to their contractor, Carillion. In time, we want Cube customers to have access to wider Group services, including the 24/7 CSC. We will work out the detail of how this will operate and ensure it has no detriment to existing Cube or GHA services; only improvements.
ALLOCATIONS
Q: What about housing allocations?
A: Both Cube and GHA will work to their own allocations policies. There is scope to make it easier for applicants to access Cube and GHA properties through the common housing register and also because both Associations use at least some choice-based letting.
Q: Will GHA tenants be able to apply for Cube houses?
A: Yes, as they can now. Allocations systems would stay as they are initially but that we would look to create the ability to call at a GHA office and apply for a Cube house and vice versa. GHA and Cube are also part of Glasgow City Council's Common Housing Register project to create the ability for applicants to access the waiting lists of multiple social landlords.
REPAIRS
Q: What about Cube and GHA's repairs services?
A: Both organisations will keep their existing contractors but as the contracts come up for renewal GHA and Cube will work together to get the best possible deal for customers. Joint procurement of contractors in future is a way we expect to make savings for reinvestment in the stock and/or to maintain affordable rents.
INVESTMENT WORK
Q: Will the partnership with Cube result in less investment work being carried out on GHA properties?
A: Absolutely not. There is no cross subsidy from GHA to Cube and all existing commitments to GHA tenants stay intact. Further, increased economies of scale could benefit both investment programmes. We can share innovation and best approaches to investment. Additionally GHA tenants next to Cube areas would see the wider area get better as a result of the additional investment in Cube stock.
Q: How will Cube deliver the additional investment, i.e. what staff will be used?
A: Cube has its own investment (Regeneration) team. As the partnership develops, there will be opportunity to share ideas and best practices across all services, so that GHA and Cube teams can learn from each other. There may also be opportunities to work together to support each other's programmes.
SHELTERED HOUSING AND OTHER SUPPORT
Q: On Cube sheltered stock in Ruchazie, where it is operated in partnership with other bodies, what happens to the partnership and the housing?
A: Cube owns several sheltered schemes, including Ruchazie, where Cube is the landlord and other Associations or support providers deliver the care services. This would not change. The housing would therefore stay in Cube ownership if the partnership proceeds, managed by Cube as part of the GHA group.
Q: There is a perceived concern about a back-log of disabled adaptations in Cube stock which need to be carried out. How will GHA address this?
A: It is for Cube to consider investment requirements in its stock. The ongoing consultation process will give Cube tenants the opportunity to identify their investment priorities. Cube will use this to finalise how the extra investment will be used in line with the priorities of its tenants.
CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT
Q: Cube is not perceived to have the same high levels of customer engagement as GHA.
A: Like GHA, Cube is committed to having its customers at the heart of its business. Cube will continue to have its own engagement strategy but would also have access to the GHA engagement team to support this. That way,we can share learning on the best way to engage to suit each community.
STAFF ISSUES
Q: Would Cube staff be able to apply for GHA internal vacancies?
A: Yes, and GHA staff would be able to apply for Cube vacancies.
Q: Would length of service be recognised when moving from a role between GHA and Cube?
A: If either a Cube or GHA employee applied for a job and was successful in the recruitment process their service would be continuous. However the employer would be the organisation that the new job is in.
Q: What if the employee doesn't want to change their employer?
A: Employees can be seconded between employers, which means they can keep their current terms and conditions, including membership of their pension scheme. Procedures for this will be added to a group HR policy.