Council rents to rise by 3%

West Lothian Council agreed a three per cent increase in rents as it approved its housing budget for the next year.

With support from the Tory group, the minority Labour administration voted down alternatives put forward by the SNP group which called for a rent freeze to confront growing debt.

The increase, part of an agreed five-year plan, will see the average rent go up from £ 73.53 per week to £75.74.

The opposition had also called for increased investment in green technologies.

However, the council voted 18 to 11 in favour of the three per cent increase and a housing capital programme that will spend over £ 100million over the next three years to increase and improve its existing housing stock.

Over £55million from the budget will be spent on the creation and acquisition of new homes.

This includes the completion of the council’s current new-build council housing programme with the addition of a further 250 new-build homes.

Buy-backs will continue as the council looks at expanding the housing supply working alongside Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and other partners to achieve the aim of delivering 3000 new houses during the period 2012-2022.

The capital programme will also invest over £45million to improve the existing stock, including decoration and internal upgrades, window and door refurbishments, painting and fencing programmes will be funded as part of a planned programme of works.

A council spokesman said that although many works are of a small scale, these projects can have a substantial impact on local amenities and the community.

Some of the budget will go towards Community Choices. This gives communities greater say on spending in their area.

Major refurbishments include the completion of regeneration work at the Bathville flats in Armadale as well as the continuation of roof, render, stair and balcony works at The Lochs scheme in Whitburn.

There will be enhanced investment in external wall insulation work in council houses and a programme to deliver energy efficiency measures including central heating replacements will take place to ensure all properties are compliant with Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing ( EESSH) standards by December 2020.

Recent consultation with tenants indicated that the majority supported a three per cent increase per annum.

George Paul, executive councillor for services for the community, said: “West Lothian Council remains committed to providing new, high-quality homes for the people of West Lothian.

“A significant amount of investment is going towards the completion of the council’s new-build housing programme with new homes being constructed across West Lothian and a number of houses being acquired in a drive to further increase the housing stock.

“As well as providing new council homes, there will be a renewed focus on the maintenance and refurbishment of properties, to continue to maintain the Scottish Quality Housing Standard.

“The vast majority of our tenants indicated via consultation that they are happy with the services we provide and the council will endeavour to always look to see how we can continue to improve for our customers.”