GWSF Forum Meeting - Thursday 25th February 2010 at 7pm in Govanhill HA Offices

A well attended meeting heard the thoughts of our new interim director Jim Harvey. Subsequent discussions provided some innovative ideas and possible policy directions for the coming months.

Copyof the presentation here  discussion guide here

Agenda and minutes

GWSF Forum Meeting - Thursday 6th August 2009 2008 at 7pm in Govanhill HA offices

Schizophrenia and Paranoia rife!

Not a convention of Mental Health professional but a realistic view of the challenges facing Community Controlled Housing Associations.

Another in a long line of well attended meetings heard some thought provoking ideas:

Angus Hardie of Local People Leading described the schizophrenia, The Government and Parliament in general recognise the tradition and achievements of the CCHAs movement whilst at the same time we are marginalised by the Civil Service!

Angus was clear that the decision makers did not recognise the added value provided by community anchor organisations and in this age of ‘quantative easing’ we are superbly placed to deliver so much more Social Policy for modest additional resources.

The Paranoia came in the form of Firm Foundations, followed by the draft Housing Bill and the cherry on the cake the regulators report released during the consultation period which we believe lacks evidence was patronising and ill informed.

It is difficult not to draw the conclusion that we are rapidly becoming an endangered species!

Jim Harvey presented our draft response to the bill. It was clear from the first reading that the draft bill lacked ambition and provided no detail on the stated wish to review the role of social policy.

The Fourm has endeavoured to begin that process by not just responding to the questionnaire but to articulate our views on the role of the regulator, community right to ownership and CCHAs and regeneration.

Papers on all these subjects can be accessed on the GWSF website/events and meetings

General Themes on the evening:

• A need to publicise the CCHAs to the general public, through a media campaign
• A wish to retain Schedule 7 as a minimum for Allocations
• Essential that we operate collegiately to make our voice as loud and strong as possible.
• Essential that all CCHAs provdie a response to the Civil Servants

The next meeting we will extend an invite to Karen Watt, Scottish Housing Regulator to discuss the recent report, not to be missed look out for notices.

Housing Bill - responses

The Forum will present the draft response to the bill, providing you with the opportunity to comment and shape the final documents.

GWSF - SST Briefing Session -'Fair terms for individual Transfers?' Thursday 3rd April 2008 at 7.00pm in Govanhill HA Offices

Over the past few years we have heard a lot about an alleged '£500m black hole' in GHA finances that has been a barrier to SST.

This briefing will discuss findings of Financial Study recently carried out by the forum.

Further information and a booking form can be downloaded from the link below:-

GWSF Forum Meeting - Thursday 6th March 2008 at 7pm in Govanhill HA offices - Agenda now available!

The main speaker at this event will be David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, who will consider the issue "What can we learn from English Housing Policy?"  Further information about this event is available in the agenda which can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:-

Community Ownership Group (COG) Meeting for CCHA/LHO Reps Next Meeting - to be confirmed.

GWSF Member organisations can click here to access the agenda, papers and minutes for COG meetings (n.b. you will be required to login).

Housing Management Sub-Group Meetings

(formerly known as the Homelessness Sub-Group)

This GWSF group meets on the last Monday of every 2nd month - please refer to the events calendar for confirmed dates.   GWSF Member organisations can download the agenda and papers for the meetings from the Members' Pages section.  If you would like to join the sub-group please email info@gwsf.org.uk

GWSF Board Meetings

Next Meeting - Wednesday 12th March 2008

These meetings are attended by the GWSF Board Members and are generally held on the 3rd Thursday of each month between 5pm and 7pm in Govanhill HA offices.

Seminars and Briefing Sessions GWSF runs regular seminars and briefing sessions in Glasgow covering a wide range of issues including second stage transfer, housing of sex offenders, and investment & regeneration.

For a full list of GWSF events and meetings please click here.