The bulk of the £159 million HRA capital budget for 2023/24 was allocated to new-builds, with the rest to allocated to enhancing existing stock of more than 22,000 properties.
This includes:
• £18m replacing windows and upgrading flat roofs;
• £15m modernising kitchens and bathrooms;
• Approximately £15m on energy efficiency measures like installing solid wall insultation and new heating systems; and
• £1m on disabled adaptions, part of our support for the Local Outcome Improvement Plan.
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The council also agreed to spend £7m on safety and security such as rewiring, lift replacements, and installing new door systems, having almost completed a roll out of integrated fire and smoke alarms across all properties.
A further £2m is to be used to expand the district heating networks, giving more tenants access to low-cost heat and power.
The housing revenue budget for 2023/24 is £102m. Rent is to rise by 4% increase to help cover the increasing cost of repairing, maintaining and managing properties.
Councillor Miranda Radley, convener of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee, said: "We believe that tenants would wish to see us provide homes that are economical to run and environmentally friendly, and offer the same advantages as new-builds.
"Through our engagement with tenants, including community walkabouts, we have sensed the strong desire for quality, affordable homes and inclusive neighbourhoods – and in turn where our priorities should lie as a corporate landlord."
The council is currently completing the refurbishment of approximately 500 'voids' using a Scottish Government grant to provide homes for people displaced by the Ukraine war.
