West Dunbartonshire Council tenants will see a 5% rent increase this year which will partially fund a new £50 million investment package to improve living standards.
During last week’s budget meeting councillors were asked to approve the 5% increase for council tenants, those living at the travellers site and lockup rents equating to an average rise of £4.22 each week.
Before the budget meeting residents were asked to complete a survey asking if they would like to see a 4% increase in rent which would maintain all current services or a 5% rent increase which would deliver an additional £50 million of capital investment in existing homes.
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There were 1173 responses to the survey with the majority 52.9% voting for option one and 47.1% voting for option two.
Despite this, Labour councillors moved a motion to increase rent by 5% and deliver the funding which will maintain all current services that tenants receive, continue the new build housing programme and deliver investment in existing homes, including a drive to eliminate damp and mould.
A tenant priority budget – which allows tenants to direct spend on community improvements – of £800,000 will also be retained.
At the meeting councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal presented his motion. It stated: “The consultation included two options with 52.9% supporting a 4% increase in rents while 47.1% supported a 5% increase.
“The difference in the average weekly rent options was 84p however the increase by 5% provided an additional £50 million of capital investment over the next five years in housing to address a number of priorities.
“Given the above, the council agrees with the recommendations in the report and after consultations with the West Dunbartonshire tenants residents organisations (WTRO) to increase weekly rent, pitch rent at gypsy travellers site and lockup rents by 5%.
“This means a weekly average rent increase of £4.22 for tenants for whom 72% are in receipt of housing benefits or universal credit. We are aware any rent increase can be hard on our tenants especially in the cost of living crisis and to support our most disadvantaged tenants, we have set aside £565,000 of financial assistance to support them over the course of the next financial year.”
Leader of the opposition, SNP councillor Karen Conaghan moved an amendment to increase rent by 4% as recommended by council officers.
She said: “You have consulted and had a steer from a majority so I think we should be moving the recommendations.”
The majority of councillors voted for the motion and the 5% increase was approved.
Following the meeting Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, Convener of the Council’s Housing and Communities Committee, said: “Our commitment is to provide quality homes that people want to live in and this significant investment will make a positive difference to the lives of tenants across West Dunbartonshire.
“We will consult closely with tenants and the West Dunbartonshire Tenant and Residents Association to ensure that the money is spent where it’s needed most.
“The 5% increase in rent still represents good value for money for tenants while also allowing us to improve living standards throughout our communities.
“To put this in perspective, this extra investment will mean the delivery of new heating systems to over 1000 homes every year, an additional 350 kitchen replacements, 280 bathroom replacements and 260 extra window and door replacements.”
Vice Convener Hazel Sorrell added: “Over the past decade more than £82 million has been invested in the development and acquisition of safe, secure, warm, energy efficient and affordable new homes, as well as upgrades to existing stock.
“We are committed to continuing this progress with a range of initiatives which support increased demand for homelessness support, requests for larger homes and the additional needs of tenants.
“This significant further investment supports the Council’s plans to continue to deliver value-for-money services for our tenants – including a reactive repairs service and the roll-out of a range of improvements and upgrades to homes.
“Each of these improvements will be of benefit to tenants, as well as enhancing communities for the good of West Dunbartonshire as a whole.”
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