£53m housing boost unveiled by council
Proposals include new-build social housing
Council bosses have announced a £53.9 million three-year investment in housing as part of their budget.
The key focus of the plans will be new-build homes as well as regeneration and maintenance of existing council homes.
A planned investment programme includes improvements to the external fabric of council houses, renewing roofs, upgrading kitchens and bathrooms, improving electrical wiring and heating systems and improvements to multi-storey flats and sheltered housing.
The plan also includes provision for new- build investment in affordable social housing in Renfrewshire and sites being built in Dargavel Village near Bishopton and Johnstone Castle as well as new homes in Ferguslie, Foxbar, Gallowhill, Millarston and another site at Dargavel Village.
Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of the council’s A group of Saints fans shared a slap-up meal with a club legend and helped a much-loved Paisley charity in the process.
Stuart Pattison, Stuart Clark, Cameron MacLean and Craig Irvine were joined by Barry Lavety at Papamacs restaurant in Johnstone before enjoying a matchday experience at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
The group had bid a fantastic £550 for the prize at the eighth annual Sportman’s Dinner held in memory of former Paisley Daily Express editor Jim Neil.
After tucking into a meal at Papamacs, the group took in the St Mirren v Brechin City match from the directors lounge.
The event, held in August last year, raised £8,510 for Accord Hospice, bringing the total raised to a magnificent £57,405.
Express photographer Drew Neil, who organises the event with his brother Colin, thanked everyone involved for their ongoing support.
He said:“We would like to thank Stewart McIntosh and Papamacs for once again supporting our dinner and donating this auction item.
“It proves to be very popular every year. Our thanks also go to Barry for giving up his time and of course to the four winning bidders who paid £550 for what turned out to be a fantastic day topped off with a St Mirren win. “Finally we would like to thank St Mirren who really looked after everyone when they arrived at the stadium.” communities, housing and planning policy board, said: “We are committed to providing highquality, affordable homes that will encourage people to come and live and work in Renfrewshire.
“This significant investment will ensure we can provide our communities with homes that are the right type, the right size and in the right place to meet their needs and improve their quality of life.
“We are on track to achieve our aim of providing 1000 new, affordable homes by 2021 and this, coupled with the improvements made to existing stock, will ensure a positive future for Renfrewshire and its residents.”
The cash will be spent over the next three years with £15.44m in 2018/19, £18.75m in 2019/20 and £19.716m in 2020/21.
Also agreed in last Friday’s budget was a one per cent increase in rent.
The council consulted with more than 600 tenants and 99 per cent said any rise should be kept as low as possible. Their priorities were affordability, improving existing housing stock and building new council houses.
Council bosses believe the one per cent increase will ensure this will happen.
Councillor McGurk added: “We recognise the pressure on many households and it’s important we continue to maintain affordability for our tenants while also covering the rising costs related to maintaining our council housing stock. This below- inflation increase will contribute towards our maintenance programme for existing housing.
“We’ re committed to mitigating the impact of the slower than expected pace of UK welfare reform changes and as such have incorporated a transitional premium cap of £1.50 per week for any rent which has to be increased to ensure the change is manageable for our tenants.
“Having listened to our residents, we have aligned our priorities for the next three years accordingly to ensure we are meeting their needs and we will work hard to provide highquality housing for those who wish to rent or buy a home in Renfrewshire.”
SAINTS SUPPORTERS ENJOY LUNCH WITH A LEGEND