North Lanarkshire Council, Scotland's largest local authority landlord with around 37,800 properties, has announced its 2008/09 housing budget totalling over £100m. And, in line with its 30-year business plan, the council has kept its rent increases at 3.5%, for the third consecutive year.
This increase, together with financial savings of £400,000 and £600,000 of surplus balances, will fund over £1.1m of service improvements, including:
- An additional £464,000 towards the council's new build programme;
- £30,000 towards tenant participation projects;
- £530,000 for repairs, adaptations and major improvements; and
- £100,000 to implement a new allocation policy.
The council is on target in implementing a standard housing rent structure for all council properties in North Lanarkshire – harmonising rent levels inherited from former authorities. The current average weekly rent in North Lanarkshire of £47.23 (over 52 weeks) is the 14th lowest in Scotland and approximately 2% below the national local authority average of £48.19.
Approximately 60% of council tenants will have this increase covered by increases to their housing benefit and 75% of these people receive full entitlement to meet their housing rent costs. The increase will come into effect from 1 April 2008.
"Once again we have developed a budget that invests in our housing stock and keeps rent levels below the national average," said Councillor Barry McCulloch, Convener of Housing & Social Work Services.
"I am excited about the prospect of our new build programme, which will see improvement in the supply of new affordable housing. This won't happen overnight, but it is something we are absolutely committed to delivering on.
"We will continue to listen and work with our tenants; as we are doing with the proposed changes to the allocation policy. It is only by listening and consulting that we will continue to make the improvements they want to see; their feedback is crucial in helping us shape our priorities during the budget process."
ENDS.
Search NorthWeb
