A CITY housing association has set up a new scheme to improve services to its tenants.

It has established a not for profit social enterprise company to clean hundreds of tenement closes and back courts.

Whiteinch and Scotstoun Housing Association has employed six people to carry out the work and provide concierge services for its only multi-storey block.

In the past, the services to 1300 tenants and 550 owner occupiers were provided by four different companies at a cost of more than £330,000.

Ian Morrison, housing association chief executive, said: "After a review and comments from tenants, the housing association decided we could provide a better, more responsive service at the same price by setting up our own local social enterprise company.

"Through WS Estate Services we will have our own local team of estate caretakers on the ground ensuring all our communal closes and back courts are cleaned and looked after.

"We are confident, for the same money, we can provide an improved service to all our residents, responding more quickly to any concerns residents may have.

"As it is a social enterprise company, any profits or savings made by the company will be ploughed back into improving services for our tenants."

The new team will be responsible for cleaning 197 closes and 205 closes once a week.

Close cleaning will involve brushing and removing all litter and debris from landings and stairs and a thorough weekly wash.

The back court services will ensure bin stores are cleaned and any bulk uplifts are removed to collection points agreed with the city council.

WE Services was set up with a £125,200 grant from the Scottish Government's aspiring communities fund and a £100,000 investment by the housing association.