Housing crisis looming

ANGUS faces a council housing crisis after a firm pulled the plug just 10 months into a showpiece £10 million three-year repair contract.

MPS was due to look after homes in Montrose, Brechin, Forfar and Kirriemuir as part of an arrangement signed last April.

But less than a year later, Airdrie-based MPS has backed out.

Brechin and Edzell Conservative councillor Gavin Nicol said: “This is bad news for our tenants and it’s something we need to get sorted out very quickly.”

Mr Nicol added: “We already have a huge backlog of repairs. I’ve got grave concerns that we might see the contractors dragging their feet on this and the situation will get worse.

“And I’m asking what the arrangement will be for appointing a new contractor – if it has to be a blank sheet exercise that could take a long time.

“The whole construction industry looks very different than what it was at the start of the pandemic.”

A council spokesperson said: “One of Angus Council’s unplanned maintenance contractors, MPS, have formally given the council notice they will no longer be involved with the contract after March 31 2022.

“MPS currently cover housing repairs in the Montrose, Brechin, Forfar, and Kirriemuir areas.

“Consequently, the council is taking steps to minimise any disruption to services.”

And it said it was “working to provide continuity of service after MPS withdraw from the contract”.

The spokesperson added: “The council will keep tenants informed of updates.”

MPS have not yet responded to a request for comment.

Councillor Gavin Nicol