FORMER Clackmannanshire Council CEO Bob Allan has been remembered for the positive impact he had on local communities.
The Bob Allan Conference Centre has been created within Saracen House, Possilpark, Glasgow, by housing association ng homes as part of their continued regeneration initiatives.
They wanted to honour Mr Allan – who passed away nine years ago – as he was the driving force behind Europe’s largest housing transfer in 2002, which saw 80,000 Glasgow City Council homes transferred to the not-for-profit Glasgow Housing Association (GHA).
Robert Tamburrini, chief executive of ng homes, said: “You cannot underestimate the importance of that first building brick, the successful ballot, in the regeneration of not only housing but communities.
“Bob’s vision was for more than just bricks and mortar. The transfer of housing from council ownership to housing associations freed up millions of pounds for long term investment in quality homes. 
“The work created and sustained many new jobs and other initiatives were developed – for example, within our own organisation, ng2 was created and has provided many employment opportunities.”
A plaque and artwork just outside the conference rooms were unveiled by Teresa McNally, a former Clacks council leader, Lord Provost of Glasgow, councillor Sadie Docherty, and Bob’s wife Chrissie. Joining ng homes staff and board members were Bob’s children and grandchildren, along with many former colleagues now working in a wide variety of housing organisations around Glasgow and beyond.
Bob’s family are delighted with the recognition, ChrissieMrs Allan said: “It is just great that Bob’s hard work has been recognised in this way and for me it is just lovely for it to be located in an area where I worked for so long.”
Ms McNally, a Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) board director, said Mr Allan's vision also served the Wee County well. He was a great supporter of the Alloa railway line and was a champion for staff within the council.
She said: “I was the administration depute and then subsequent leader of Clackmannanshire Council when Bob was chief executive when he led the fight to save Clackmannanshire Council from being axed as part of local government reform in the 1990s. Bob was sound and creative. His strategic vision served us well. Under his stewardship, the foundations were laid for the improvements to the county’s infrastructure, including the creation of a smart village and convincing the powers that be to re-open the Alloa railway line. 
“He also put forward the business case for a new road crossing over the Forth to be built west of Kincardine and so much more. In his time as CEO, Bob created a culture that gave staff, often for the first time, the confidence to value their thoughts and ideas. 
“He gave them opportunities to think out of the box and encouraged people at all levels to develop their skills.
“Is it not time that the Wee County also honoured the contribution that Bob Allan made during his time in Clackmannanshire.”