The council’s Housing Capital Investment Programme for the next two years has been approved alongside the Housing Revenue Account Budget.

Some of the proposed investment includes:

• £10.3m towards increasing the amount of new council homes. The council had already approved the delivery of 427 new houses. The programme will now deliver a further 35 additional new council houses. This will deliver an overall total of 462 new council houses over the course of the investment programme.
• £19.3m is planned to be invested to improve and maintain existing housing, ensuring council homes continue to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS). Works include projects to deliver energy efficiency measures, central heating replacements, aids and adaptations, electrical repair and external wall insulation upgrades.
• Planned programme works of £24.2m will take place covering a broad range of activities, including kitchens and bathroom replacements, window and door refurbishments, painting and fencing programmes.

A rent increase of 3.5% for 2026/27 has been approved as part of the Housing Revenue Account Budget.

This decision has been informed following consultation with the tenants with the majority of those that responded expressing a preference for a 3.5% rent increase. All income generated via council housing rent is reinvested in council housing and services for tenants.

Executive councillor for housing services, George Paul said: “Using the resources at its disposal, the council look to see continued investment and funding of housing infrastructure, to meet the needs of existing and future tenants.

“The agreed rent increase was informed through consultation with tenants and will allow renewed investment in the Housing Capital Investment Programme. Every penny of rental income will allow the council to continue to maintain quality standards and invest in the suitability and sufficiency of its housing stock to improve the environment within communities.”