Council housing is big winner in year of hard-hitting budget cuts

During a meeting held last Thursday, councillors agreed to expand their current housebuilding target from 2,150 new homes by 2027 to 5,000 by 2035.

This will mean a capital investment of £306 million, almost half of which will be used to make all local authority housing more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

A buyback scheme will also see the council take ownership of around 130 properties yearly.

Special measures worth £2.5 million will be implemented to assist tenants with money worries – and two entirely separate packages of the same sum will be spent in enhancements for existing homes within NLC’s jurisdiction.

The sheer scale of investment and the long-term commitment involved is in sharp contrast to the belt-tightening which has drawn howls of protest from council tax payers over issues like the shutdown of Kilbowie Outdoor Centre and the cutting of Christmas lights.

The news also differed sizably from much of what has gone before this year, as it attracted cross-party support and was passed unopposed.

Presenting the motion, Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey paid tribute to the council’s employees who continued to operate a high quality service throughout a challenging year.

She said: “There will be no surprise in the motion that we have before us, as it follows a trajectory that has been set at previous council meetings.

“That is an investment in ambition but also an investment in compassion and support for our tenants.”

She then acknowledged the role played by those tenants and their representative groups in helping to shape the motion.

“This year has been a year like no other, and I acknowledge that it has been very difficult for so many of our tenants,” continued Cllr Brannan-McVey.

“Therefore it is imperative we utilise the surplus that we have this year to support our tenants.”

She confirmed that £2.5 million would be moved into assistance and rent hardship funding to help those facing delays in Universal Credit claims or reduced income as a result of the pandemic.

She also confirmed a further £2.5 million will enhance existing roofing, rendering and heating improvement programmes.

The same amount again will be set aside to cover increased repairs demand from tenants who may not have wanted tradesmen in their home during lockdown.