A Housing Association is looking for new members to join its ranks and make a difference to their community.  Cordale Housing Association is now recruiting for its Management Committee – a group which has helped transform Renton over the last 15 years and been involved in developments such as the new very sheltered housing in the village.

The Committee – which comprises of local people of all ages who share a common interest in improving the area – may also be involved in shaping plans for Alexandria and Dumbarton where Cordale believes it can achieve similar success.

In the last year, Cordale has achieved planning permission for Scotland’s biggest social housing development at Dalquhurn and progressed with construction work on Renton’s first very sheltered housing for older people in the village. It has also developed plans for the regeneration Alexandria town centre and has been in talks with resident groups from three areas in Dumbarton about how Cordale can transform their communities.

All you need to get involved is enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference. Full training is provided. Committee Members must attend 10 Management Committee meetings a year, as well as participate on a sub-committee. The Management Committee will be re-elected at the annual general meeting on Friday 12 September 2008.

As well as the Committee, Cordale is also seeking new members for the Association, and this is not restricted to residents.  New members must return a membership form by 22 August 2008 to take part in the
AGM.  Membership of Cordale only cost £1 for life membership and is open to anyone over 18 years of age (or 16 years for tenants).

Cordale has invested almost £35m in the local economy during the last 10 years and plans to inject a further £50m-plus over the next five years as it builds more 279 new homes for rent and sale.
Many of its plans and initiatives are developed in response to residents’ wishes and needs.

On 3rd June 2008, West Dunbartonshire Council's Planning Committee approved a planning application from Cordale Housing Association to build 279 homes for rent and sale in Dalquhurn Estate, a 30 acre site in Renton.  This development, which was the biggest land acquisition by a single housing association in Scotland, will transform the site of the former mill works (which was once the centre of the textile industry in the Vale of Leven) from a contaminated wasteland (lead, copper zinc from the former bleach works) into one of the most desirable places to live in West Dunbartonshire.

In partnership with a private developer, we will build 279 quality homes that capitalise on the gorgeous natural environment.  To the north of the site, the new homes will have views towards Ben Lomond, the homes at the south will overlook a nature conservation area, whilst to the east of the development area, the Association will build a range of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties that overlook the river Leven.

This development is the latest chapter in the regeneration and transformation of Renton from a place of multiple depravation into a place where people want to live, work, stop, shop and do business.  Over the next three years, the Dalquhurn development will lever £40m in to the local economy and create over 100 local jobs.

For further information please contact Roddy Matheson, Development Officer at the Association's offices on 01389 721216.

A runner has raised over £1500 for charity with a little help from his friends at Cordale Housing Association.  John Barr ran 13 miles from Balloch to Clydebank in March 2008, in aid of Balloch toddler Rosie Hollern, who suffers from Infantile Battens Disease.  He was inspired to take part following the death of Rosie’s six-year-old brother Robbie from the condition last month.  John, of Renton, was keen to help the family and Cordale was more than happy to support the worthy cause.  The housing association pledged a donation to John who in turn decided to don a Cordale t-shirt for the half marathon.

On Sunday morning, the 39-year-old, who had just five weeks training before the event, completed the feat wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with ‘vote yes for 279 homes’ in support of Cordale’s proposed housing development at Dalquhurn.  John, who was joined by his friend Marianne Ferguson for the run, said:  “It’s the first time I’ve ever done a half marathon but I was determined to raise cash to help my friends Mark and Anne and their daughter Rosie.  I took a few sponsor sheets into work and gave some to my friends, and my mum took one into Cordale Housing Association and they offered me a donation if I ran with one of their t-shirts on.  The t-shirts had in memory of Robbie in aid of Rosie on the front and Cordale Housing Association on the back.  I’m still collecting money but I’m hoping to raise between £1500 and £2000. A few weeks ago I didn’t think I was going to manage it but obviously it’s always in the back of your mind what you are doing it for and that gives you a push to keep going.”

John completed the run, organised by Dunbartonshire Amateur Athletics Association, in one hour 46 minutes.

Cordale Housing Association has continued its drive to boost awareness of a multi-million pound housing development in the community where it is being built.

The Association has been in discussion with local people since
June 2006 on it plans for Dalquhurn Estate and has introduced a focus group, organised public meetings, produced newsletters and published numerous updates on the proposals via the local press and its own website.  The Association hopes to build a mixed development of 279 homes for sale and rent on former wasteground in Renton.  Members and tenants have been unanimous in their support for the plans, but a small number of residents have expressed reservations.

On 13 February 2008, Cordale’s Director, Stephen Gibson attended a public meeting in Renton chaired by Jackie Baillie MSP to address any concerns local people may have had. Local councillors Jim Bollan, John Miller, Jonathan McColl and May Smillie were also present.

At the meeting, residents highlighted their issues and Cordale now hopes to tackle these.  These include: -

• A sunken pavement at the entrance to John Street, which will now be examined by West Dunbartonshire Council, Roads Department.
• Concern over trees that have been cut down to the back of Tontine Park.  The Association explained that it may been necessary to cut some of these down if they were  highlighted as unsafe. 
• Concerns over the speed of lorries entering and exiting site.  The Association, the next day after the meeting raised the residents concerns with the Contractors. 
• A perimeter fence from the site which was encroaching onto the cycle path will now be brought back into line.
• Concern about a traffic island in Main Street will be investigated by the Association and local Councillors.
• Complaints about site traffic will be raised with contractors.
• Concerns about increased risk of flooding.  The Association will forward formal response from SEPA to local Councillors, confirming that SEPA is satisfied that all measures  have been taken by the Association to alleviate flood risk.  

The question of a second access road was also raised and a comprehensive report produced by Cordale, including cost implications and the impact it would have on the number of social houses, will be forwarded to Ms Baillie.

Cordale lodged a detailed planning application with the Council on 24 January 2008, for the proposed development at Dalquhurn.

Visitors to Cordale Housing Association's website can now have the information read aloud to them thanks to the installation of Browsealoud. Free software can be downloaded on to an individual computer via a link on Cordale Housing Association's home page. It gives full instructions and users can even choose the voice, its speed, volume and pitch and how the words are pronounced. Once installed, Browsealoud will read aloud any page of Cordale's website simply by moving the cursor over the text.

“We believe it is important that anyone can access our site,” explained Louise Murney, Depute Director.  “This system will assist anyone with visual impairments and others who may have difficulty reading such as those with dyslexia or learning difficulties.  We also have a package on the site for people for whom English is not their first language.  The Association decided to upgrade the website to include these functions following an assessment of the site by Communities Scotland last year, when we took part in a thematic study on Openness and Access to Information”. 

A bid by a Dumbarton community to regenerate its estates is being supported by Cordale Housing Association.  Members of Castlehill and Westcliff Action Group are taking matters into their own hands in an effort to turnaround the fortunes of the neglected housing schemes.  Among the options being considered by the group is a small scale stock transfer which would see derelict flats replaced with smart new homes and community facilities.

The group called on Cordale Housing Association — which has had marked success in the regeneration of Renton building not only homes but a shop, chemist and healthy living centre — for advice and inspiration.
Cordale was invited to make a presentation to the residents on how it would deliver services and housing in the west end of the town.

Archie Thomson, Chairperson of Cordale said: “Our approach is not what we can do but what local people can do for themselves in terms of getting involved in the process.  What we have found in Renton is that, more important than millions of pounds going in, if you are not doing what people want then you are going backwards. That is why Cordale has been successful in its attempts to regenerate Renton because we found out what people wanted first.  That is what we would do in any area. First and foremost you have to find out what the issues are for local people, how they would like to see them tackled and how we can do that together. We look within the communities for the solutions.”

Stephen Gibson, Director of Cordale, added: “The presentation was very positively received and the next logical step for us is to speak with representatives of the action group.  This could be in the form of either a meeting with members or a workshop-type event for the community which would allow the people living there to identify key issues and concerns, the type and location of houses and community facilities they would like and where they would like to see them.  What we would do from there on in is create an architects impression based on the needs, wants and aspirations of the community.”

The village of Renton had a Christmas tree for the first time ever in December 2007.  To celebrate this, the Carman Centre organised a special event on 8th December 2007.  There was fun for all – young and old.  The highlight of the day was the switching on of the lights on the tree and surrounding buildings.  Cordale Housing Association and the Carman Centre chipped in to pay for the 40ft centrepiece and the lights to decorate the tree, which was situated on Main Street and will now be a feature every Christmas. 

A ground breaking plan to merge two village primary schools has been proposed.

Cordale Housing Association says it is prepared to build a new village community school which would accommodate pupils from Renton and St Martin's Primaries in Renton.  The school would then be leased back to West Dunbartonshire Council.

Stephen Gibson, Cordale Housing Association's Director, said "We have invested millions in building houses in Renton but that is not the only thing we have provided.  We have shops, a Post Office and chemist and we are willing to create and sustain a good quality school for the two primaries in Renton."

He added "We would be prepared to build it under the Public Community Partnership (PCP) which we think would be much cheaper and better.  Not only that but as a housing association it have economic benefits to the community as we would want to involve local people in its construction and take on apprentices - unlike other contractors involved in school buildings whose workers are from outwith the area.

"We believe that we don't just have to have this kind of development restricted to Renton, PCP could be rolled out throughout West Dunbartonshire and Scotland."

Cordale Houisng Association see the proposal build not just as a school but as a multi-educational establishment available to the community in the evenings.

Stephen Gibson said "We have not yet identified a site or any location.  There would have to be a period of consultation but subject to agreements and going through planning we think that the school could be two years away.  We believe that this could be the centrepiece of the Renton jigsaw, something very, very exciting."

Archie Thomson, Cordale's Chairperson, also welcomed the scheme, he said "There has been no adverse reaction to the proposal on the people I have spoken to.

"This idea was suggested a while ago when it was proposed to close Renton Primary the first time around and there was strong community support for it, and I don't believe that has changed. 

"If we can build shops and doctors surgeries then we can build an educational establishment which would be suitable beyond the nine to four role of a school."

The fortunes of Renton residents are on the up and up.  Not only have Cordale Housing Association tenants enjoyed and benefited from a transformation in their surroundings — but their wage packets have also steadily increased. 

The average income of a tenant has soared to £369 - up £80 on last year’s figures.  The information was revealed in a recent survey of non housing benefit tenants by researchers from Management Information (Scotland) Ltd The census is conducted in Renton on an annual basis and this year even fewer people failed the rent measure test, i.e could afford to pay their rent without resorting to housing benefit.

Bill Dickson, of Management Information (Scotland) Ltd, said: "Only nine per cent of people failed the income test compared to 21 per cent failing last year. We have never had results as low as that before.  The income generated by tenants is also quite high compared to a lot of other areas.
It seems that Cordale's efforts to encourage economic growth in the area are working. People in the area are gaining employment and gaining money, which hopefully they are spending in the local area. Renton is now starting to look like an affluent area.  Whatever Cordale is doing I would say they should keep on doing it."

All Cordale homes have efficient gas central heating and 97 per cent of tenants passed the fuel poverty test. Only two tenants failed as they were paying more than 10 per cent of their income on heating costs.

The 3RD Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner delivered a night to remember with around 140 Dunbartonshire businesspeople turning out to support the black tie event on Friday, 16 November2007. The glitzy event took place in the stylish surroundings of Beardmore Hotel in Clydebank and featured a packed programme including the Dunbartonshire Business Personality of the Year (East and West).

Two Dunbartonshire Businessmen were recognised for their “exceptional entrepreneurial skills and achievements” by being named Dunbartonshire Business Personality of the Year:  Stephen Gibson, Director of Cordale Housing Association was named Business Personality of the Year for West Dunbartonshire while Garry McNulty of R & G Financial Services was named Business Personality of the Year for East Dunbartonshire. 

Cordale Director, Stephen Gibson, was “absolutely delighted” to receive the award, saying “this is an acknowledgement of the significant contribution that social enterprise is making in the local and national economy”.  However, he was keen to stress that this award was in recognition of the achievements made by a visionary Management Committee and an enthusiastic and committed staff team.  Mr Gibson also pointed out that whilst Cordale has been the catalyst for the social, physical and economic regeneration of Renton, these results could not have been achieved without the contribution of local and national organisations such as the Carman Centre, West Dunbartonshire Council and Communities Scotland.

In the past 2 years, the Cordale Group of companies has transformed the village centre of Renton to introduce modern shopping, office and health care facilities. At the same time, it has secured the largest land acquisition by a housing association in Scotland. Over the next three years, Cordale will work in partnership with a private developer to build 330 homes for rent and sale. This will lever over £50m into the local economy and create over 100 additional local jobs. Last week Cordale announced its proposals to work in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council to build a primary school via the Public Community Partnership (PCP) model, which is being developed by the Cordale Group. 

Chamber Director, Damon Scott, said:  “The evening was a real celebration of business in Dunbartonshire with the inaugural Business Personality of the Year Presentation.   Principal speaker for the evening was Duncan Cameron, Duncan a renowned Scottish business person and now retired Scottish Director of American Airlines, regaled the company with some hilarious stories of his experience in the field of travel, whilst at the same time poking good natured fun at both ourselves and our American cousins, it is true to say  that if the Beardmore had aisles we would have been rocking in them with laughter.

In his closing remarks and vote of thanks John Corcoran, Chief Executive of the Chamber, praised the support the Chamber had received from our partners at both East and West Dunbartonshire Council, and Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire. It was he said a quite unique working relationship and very gratifying to know that we were all working together to achieve the same goal, success for Scottish businesses and the overall Scottish Economy.

Almost £38 million has been invested in transforming the village of Renton over the last 13 years.  The figure was just one of the successes revealed by Cordale Housing Association at its annual general meeting on 14th September 2007.  In the last year alone, Cordale has ploughed £2.7 million into regenerating the small village, which for the first time is no longer featured in the poverty index.

Members who attended the meeting were given a glimpse of how the new Dalquhurn development, 280 new homes for rent and sale, will look in 10 years time. This included a preview of house types and styles which have been developed in consultation with the Association’s Management Committee. 

Over the past year, Cordale started work on a much-needed very sheltered housing development in the centre of the village. The project, which includes 40 self-contained apartments, is set to be complete early next year.  The organisation also marked a new era with the purchase of Leven Cottage, it’s first acquisition in Alexandria.

Cordale Chairperson Archie Thomson said: "“Ten years ago people said Cordale couldn’t do what they did. We did it and people are now living happily in those houses.  In the last year we acquired Dalquhurn and are well on the way with our development in Main Street which will create a 40 apartments for older people.  All in all it’s been a very good year for Cordale Housing Association.  We recently carried out a survey with our tenants and 98 per cent said they were satisfied with the service provided by Cordale and our challenge for the coming year will be to address the other two per cent.”

Archie continued, "We have had national and international recognition for the way we do business here.  But Cordale doesn’t do this alone, it works in partnership with Communities Scotland, which provides most of our development funding.  We also work with the Carman Centre and, most importantly, we do it in partnership with our tenants."

For the third time in five years, Cordale was forced to organise an election as demand for seats on its Management Committee exceeded the places available.  A ballot was held at the AGM and the following members secured a place on the committee, James Brogan, Gerry Brown, Liz Buckley, Mary Dunn, Eleanor Kemsley, Peggy McNicol, Alister Nicholson, Carol Anne Hannah.

Cordale Housing Association tenants have given their landlord a glowing report card.  Cordale tenants were asked to rate the Renton-based housing association on a number of criteria including response to repairs and customer service.  The impressive results show that the Association’s tenants, already satisfied with Cordale, are now getting an even better service.  In some areas, all the tenants surveyed gave the Association top marks while in others almost everyone rated Cordale top. 

The tenant satisfaction survey was carried out on behalf of Cordale by independent firm, Management Information Scotland Ltd, which said the results were the best it had ever seen of the 90 plus associations it had carried out work for.

Among the highlights were:

• 100 per cent of tenants satisfied with the helpfulness of customer service staff.
• 98 per cent of tenants satisfied with Cordale as a landlord
• 99 per cent are satisfied with their Cordale home
• 97 per cent are satisfied with the services provided by Cordale
• 100 per cent think it easy to report a repair and 98 per cent are satisfied with the repairs service
• 99 per cent think Cordale is good at keeping them informed about its activities and services.

The report also revealed that nine in 10 tenants believe their rent offers "value for money" and the same number are satisfied with their neighbourhood.  Ninety-six per cent of tenants agreed there was "strong sense" of community in Renton and 87 per cent would never leave the village.  Almost every tenant said Cordale kept them well informed on planned developments and issues relevant to them and 100 per cent said they understood how decisions affecting them were made.

The face to face survey was conducted in August this year and follows on
from a previous census in 2004.  Association Director, Stephen Gibson, said: "The survey results are absolutely fantastic and we are obviously delighted with the very positive feedback.  This does not happen by accident. We have always been a community-focussed association that places great emphasis on listening and responding to the needs, wants and aspirations of tenants, residents and service users.  Tremendous credit must go to the Management Committee and staff as it is their hard work that has helped to generate such a positive set of results.  However, we will never be complacent and will continue to strive for continuous improvement."

Three new faces have joined the top team at Cordale - and taken on responsibility for keeping the housing association's gardens and landscaping in peak condition. 

Archie Wilson, Chris Longburn and Andy Brown have been appointed as Ground Maintenance Trainees at Cordale under the supervision of Estates Supervisor, Duncan Thomson and have been learning about everything from fence repairs to laying slabs.  The three teenagers, who are taking part in the Get Ready for Work training scheme, have only been in the job a matter of weeks but have already made an impression.

Duncan said: "The two Skillseekers we had before have now gained full time employment with construction firm Rileys and are doing well.
We were looking for three new trainees and, after interviews, selected Archie, Andy and Chris.  The boys are doing really well and are working as a team. They have all taken to it and are doing jobs which are really quite advanced for the stage they are at in training.  They are all initially Skillseekers trainees but are then taken on by Cordale which provides a range of training opportunities for them.  It is a traineeship and at the end of that period we want these boys to be able to walk into another job.  We give them training in every aspect of estate maintenance including fence repairs, horticulture, cutting grass, laying slabs, tree and hedge trimming and woodchipping as well as how to operate all the machinery safely."

Chris, 17, said: “We're all hoping for a full-time job at the end of the training."

The Get Ready for Work programme is administered by West Dunbartonshire Council and aims to equip young people with experience, training and skills to enhance their career prospects in their chosen field.

The boys’ careers adviser, Ricky Spinelli, said: "The placement at Cordale is an opportunity for Chris, Archie and Andy, if they show a willingness to learn and enthusiasm, to progress into a career of their choice in construction."

Renton residents have once again been at the forefront of developing plans for the future of their village.  Cordale Housing Association is producing a plan for housing services and participation in Renton over the next three years but was determined this should reflect the community’s needs and wishes.

The Association, which is committed to putting local people first, invited tenants to take part in a public consultation in a bid to gather their views on the services it provides and also priorities for the future.  The event on Friday, June 1, was based on hit TV show Baddiel and Skinner and encouraged discussion, questions and contributions from the audience in a relaxed setting, followed by entertainment.

Archie Thomson, of Renton Community Development Trust, which facilitated the event, and Jamie Ballantine, of the Tenant Participation Advisory Service, took the couch and the roles of Baddiel and Skinner for the evening while Cordale staff were on hand to answer any technical questions.

Archie hailed the event a huge success, adding: "The audience decided what questions would be asked and a lot of fundamental issues were raised about housing allocations, housing management, participation and future development.  I think the relaxed atmosphere was the reason it was so successful. It made people feel at ease but we did get a lot of formal responses back.  It seems to be a very good way for Cordale to engage with the community.  The responses we received on the night will now form the basis of the housing services plan which will set out the priorities for Cordale Housing Association to address over the next 3 years.  It will also assist the Association in reviewing its current Participation Strategy."

Jamie continued: "The evening was a fun event with a serious message because all the issues people raised will be used to shape the Association’s activities for the next three years.  The Association is keen to listen to what people have to say and this event was a great opportunity for tenants and residents to tell Cordale about their issues, concerns and priorities."

The 2007/2010 Housing Services Plan and Participation Plan 2007/2010 will be published later this year. 

Radio listeners were switched on to Renton’s remarkable regeneration when Cordale Housing Association took to the airwaves.
Your Radio’s Live@Lunch team broadcast the one-hour show live from the village over five days in April.

The show visited Cordale’s offices and spoke to tenants and staff. The team also dropped into the Carman Centre, Integrated Healthy Living Centre and Spar shop to chat to works and service users.

Presenters Gavin Wallace and Dave Ross found out the benefits of being a Cordale tenant when they chatted to Mrs Norah Cooper.  The village pensioner was interviewed on air and told the pair all about her "beautiful" Cordale home and her "fantastic" landlord.

She said: "I had called Cordale that morning to report a repair and when the workman came round to fix it later that day the radio presenters were with him. 

"I just think Cordale are fantastic. I can’t describe what a difference this house has made to me.

"I keep saying to myself ‘God on high Norah what did you do to deserve this’.

"It's beautiful, safe and I feel secure. The neighbours are great and if there was ever any problem I know I can just phone Cordale.

"Even if there are any repairs you just call them and they come out that day or the next. It's wonderful.

"I’m so happy here, it’s changed my whole life and I was delighted to tell the world that on the radio."

Cordale Director Stephen Gibson, chairman Archie Thomson and board members Tom McKeown and Isobel Barr also chatted about the transformation of the village and the association’s work in Renton as well as its plans for future developments including the multi-million pound scheme at Dalquhurn.

David Baddiel and Frank Skinner may seem like unlikely heroes for a training event - but sessions based on their hit TV show proved to be a runaway success in Renton.  The Baddiel and Skinner sessions were organised by Cordale Housing Association, the Carman Centre and Renton Community Development Trust.

The event, which took place in the Carman Centre, was attended by around 60 people from the three organisations including their partners.
The relaxed setting proved to be a catalyst for an informative and productive evening which strengthened and forged relationships between the services.

Representatives from the organisations including Cordale director Stephen Gibson, Archie Thomson of RCDT and Carman Centre manager Drew McEwan took to the couch for a series of informal question and answer sessions with the audience.  Archie, who is also chairman of Cordale, said: “It was an excellent event. It gave people an opportunity to come together in an informal setting and find out more about the other organisations in the village.

“The atmosphere meant people were relaxed enough to ask questions which was important because there were serious items on the agenda.

“It gave people information on what each organisation’s role was in the community and how they relate to each other.

“The feedback I have received from people has been very positive. Everyone who attended the event seems to have gained something from it.

“In fact, the training night was such a success that Cordale is considering using that type of format for tenant consultation events and its annual general meeting in future.”

All of the organisations involved will use the event and any issues raised to develop services and plans for the future.  The training night concluded with entertainment from Renton singer Wayne, a buffet and refreshments.

A pioneering project supported by Cordale Housing Association has helped a poverty-stricken Indian community to build a brighter future.
Association Chairperson Archie Thomson and three other Renton men have just returned from the first of a series of planned working trips to India.

The group, Archie, apprentice joiner Jonathan Boyle, builder John O’Shea and labourer Alex O’Malley, spent two weeks working alongside day labourers in the city to build a two-classroom extension to a small primary school in the Indian city of Bangalore.

The three-year rolling project, part funded by Cordale Housing Association, aims to support communities in Bangalore and the region of Kerala by enhancing the school and building housing for goat herders as well as a social inclusion centre.

Teenagers from Middlesborough-based homeless charity Community Campus 87 started construction work on the building in March 2007 and Archie and the team then flew into to help complete the scheme.  Archie said: "This is about people with a ‘can do’ attitude trying to help other local people thousands of miles away with the same ‘can do’ attitude. The existing school building out there was a concrete hut. We intended to add a single classroom onto the school to accommodate another teacher but the local municipal government in Bangalore heard about the project and invested money for an extra classroom.  We have managed to do what we have always done here in Renton and that is lever in local resources by the fact we are bringing in external resources.  The pupils in this school are the children of day labourers. Education is so precious to them and we want to improve the conditions they are educated in and give them better opportunities.”

Archie and the team also visited other projects supported by the Anekal Rehabilitation Education and Development (READ) Trust, with whom they have linked in India.  Archie, who visited India last year in preparation for the project, continued: "We learned more about how the trust worked with and supported local people to resolve their problems as a community. It’s very similar to the way we work in Renton.  These people might be living in abject poverty, but they are not poor in spirit. They get up in the morning and get on with it. There is a real vibrance about the people and India."

Next year, Cordale Housing Association will fund a return trip to India for other young construction apprentices who will help build sustainable housing for and share their skills with people living in rural communities in Kerala.

Vale of Leven schoolchildren have been offered a unique opportunity to help invest in their area’s future.  Cordale Housing Association wants to help young people into a professional training scheme as part of a £45 million development programme.  The Association has teamed up with several leading companies, which are involved in the regeneration of Renton, to offer the traineeships in a range of careers.

Letters have been sent to Vale of Leven Academy and Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School seeking potential candidates for the top jobs with the established Glasgow firms which have been appointed as the design team for Cordale’s multi-million pound Dalquhurn development.  The successful applicants will have the chance to train for a range of construction positions including architect, architectural technologist, quantity surveyor and structural engineer and will each work on Cordale projects.  All tuition fees will be met by the employers.  The hope is that when qualified the professionals will then establish their own design firm in Renton.

The architect jobs will be based with Smithfindlay Architects. The quantity surveyor position is being offered by Brown and Wallace Construction Consultants while the structural engineer will work with AJ Balfour and Associates.  In addition, construction firm Cruden Building and Renewals is recruiting an apprentice bricklayer and an apprentice painter.

Over the next 4-5 years, Cordale will work in partnership with a private developer to build at least 330 new homes for rent and sale in Renton and Alexandria, creating around 100 local jobs in addition to the professional traineeships.  While in the past Cordale has helped created manual, semi-skilled and apprenticeships through its regeneration programme, this is the first time the association has managed to secure a commitment from its partners to recruit professional trainees.

Cordale director Stephen Gibson said: "Over 50 per cent of the Association’s existing employees live in or immediately around the village of Renton. Whilst considerable resources have been allocated to enhance career choice and opportunity for local staff through participation in professional qualifications, this is literally only half of the story.
Cordale has always insisted that it must use its housing-led investment to create employment and training opportunities for local people and tackle the underlying social and economic issues that stigmatised Renton.

"During the most recent residents conference, the association was mandated to place a focus on assisting young people into employment. The jobs created directly by the Association or via our housing-led investment clearly demonstrate our commitment to listening to the aspirations of local stakeholders and our commitment to local economic development."

The association is inviting applications from suitably qualified young people and those who anticipate obtaining the required grades.

Work has started to transform a stretch of contaminated land into West Dunbartonshire’s most desirable address.  Deputy Communities Minister Des McNulty visited Dalquhurn, once the site of a thriving silk dye industry, as the diggers moved in to begin demolition and kick start the £45 million development by Cordale Housing Association.

The MSP said of the plans: "I think it is one of the most exciting projects I have seen in Scotland.  Dalquhurn is not only a great site but is fully linked to the rest of Renton.  I think people throughout Scotland will be looking at this as a really exemplar project."

As well as touring Dalquhurn, Mr McNulty viewed a 3D computer simulation of how the project - which will create a mix of 280 houses and flats ranging from low cost to luxury homes - will look on completion in four years time.

The programme, developed by Glasgow architects SmithFindlay, takes viewers on a simulated fly-through from the Ladehouse across the roof tops of the river-view development.  The MSP added: "It’s great to see such strong engagement from the local community with a housing association and to see the entrepreneurship that Cordale obviously has.
The association has built houses, a health centre and is now taking on this very ambitious project at Dalqhurn.  This shows how a forward thinking housing association can be a catalyst for transforming a community even one which has had the obstacles and barriers Renton has had in the past.

It’s really great to see a housing association with such strong support from members of the community plotting out their own future and with such a clear vision of what they want to achieve.  There is a real sense of ownership and pride in the community and what has been achieved."

The Dalquhurn scheme - which is the biggest land acquisition by a single housing association in Scotland - will create 100 jobs, including professional trainees.

Preparation work at the site will take around 12 months and include demolition of former industrial buildings, site clearance and contamination remediation.  The former mill lade will also be reintroduced to satisfy the requirements of SEPA in relation to a 1 in 200 year flood event.  The project is set to have huge financial, social and economic benefits for Renton and West Dunbartonshire.

The development will comprise two, three, four and five apartment properties and will be a mix of both flats and houses for rent, sale and low-cost ownership through Homestake, a concept Cordale is pioneering in Renton.

Renton’s first very sheltered housing development is beginning to take shape - to the delight of its future residents.  Work started on the
40-apartment building in Main Street in December 2006 and it is expected to open its doors to older people from Renton and Alexandria in June 2008.

The project follows a request from local people at a members meeting two years ago.  Older people were concerned that when they got to a certain stage in their life they were having to leave, not only their homes, but the village with its local support networks and community-based organisations like the Carman Centre.  Cordale responded to this by developing plans for specialist supported housing to meet the needs of our older people.

The £6 million project is the third stage of the Central Renton Regeneration Strategy and will be a welcome addition to the village.  The facility has been specifically designed to reflects its surrounding environment and includes a large turret above the main entrance to mirror the adjacent building on the other side of the road Cordale Housing Association, Director, Stephen Gibson said: “In addition to the obvious improvements in housing choice and the provision of high quality local services, this initiative is creating between four and 12 local jobs in the construction phase and several support related jobs when the facility opens.  So in the short, medium and long term, the introduction of very sheltered housing will have a positive impact on the local community and economy.”

Care will be provided to the elderly residents on a level tailored to their needs to allow them to sustain as much independence as possible.

Eleven three and four-bedroom family homes will be built adjacent to the very sheltered housing.  Association Chairperson, Archie Thomson said: “The very sheltered housing is a welcome addition to the array of services we already provide.  My hope is that we open a nightclub for the elderly up there rather than a traditional old folk's home. We want our older people to enjoy life inside AND outside the complex.  It's certainly a different approach but in Renton we always take a different look at things to see how we can achieve different outcomes.  This is not an isolated development. It will be surrounded by family homes because our experience in the Carman Centre has shown that when you mix generations you bring down barriers and unite the whole community.”

Renton residents are helping to build a brighter future for themselves and the village.  Villagers took part in the first ever residents conference in June 2006 and had their say on housing and community issues as well as future projects.  The conference was designed to give everyone in the village the opportunity to participate, ask questions and take part in discussions.

The common themes of the event included tackling anti-social behaviour, raising the aspirations of the area’s young people and encouraging community spirit.

An exhibition featuring future housing developments planned by Cordale Housing Association, including the £45 million Dalquhurn development, was on show and the plans were welcomed by the majority of residents.

Renton resident Karen Melville was among those who attended the conference.  She said: "I thought it went well and there was really positive feedback on the conference from the community.  It was a chance to discuss any issues people had as well as finding out about future plans for the village including the very sheltered housing which is just going to be absolutely fantastic.  Cordale is not just about Renton it is now taking in Alexandria as well.  People did make suggestions and Cordale was really responsive to those.  It also gave people in the community a chance to meet and get to know Cordale staff and see how approachable they are."

Involving young people in the community, tackling anti social behaviour, assisting with the provision of community facilities and creating local economic opportunities were highlighted as key areas people believed the association should be involved in to continually improve Renton.
It was proposed that progress on developments and other activities within the village should be posted in regular newsletters.

Delegates were then given the chance to quiz the panel - Cordale Chairperson Archie Thomson, Director Stephen Gibson and Michael Boal of Communities Scotland - on any issue.

As a result of feedback from those who attended the conference, Cordale Housing Association developed and adopted a new mission statement to reflect its wider role in the community.

The statement "Putting people first, regenerating communities, creating opportunity and building the future together" is also supported by a series of strategic objectives: -

• Complete the development of Dalquhurn Estate (approximately 282 homes for rent and sale)
• Continue the Association’s development programme and improve the natural & built environment
• Explore the potential for the Association to pursue tenant-led stock transfer within Renton and the Vale of Leven when requested by the local community
• In partnership with local organisations, participate in a range of activities that encourage young people to meet their full potential
• Continually explore opportunities for local people in Renton, Alexandria and beyond to influence the Association’s activities.
• Seek continuous improvement in service delivery and customer satisfaction
• Maintain the Association’s viability through prudent financial control

Information gleaned from the conference will be used by both Cordale staff and Committee members to assist with the development of future plans and policies for the village.