Angus, like the rest of Scotland, is facing what has been described by leading charities, tenants rights organisations, and the Scottish Government as a national emergency in Housing. Challenges around the building of new stock, long-term empty and second homes, and provision of new social housing are not unique to Angus, but are nationwide. A key part of this challenge is the skyrocketing cost of construction (thank you, Liz Truss mini-budget), which has made it much more expensive to build new homes.
External factors cannot, however, be wholly to blame for the situation which persists in Angus' Housing service. Every Councillor, MSP and MP local to Angus will tell you that a significant volume of their caseload is to do with Council housing. These issues are long-running, compounded by problems with previous maintenance contracts, and an array of past decisions which have not improved the situation.
Well, we are seeking to change that.
Earlier in 2024, the SNP-led Administration secured unanimous support for the principle of setting up a standalone Housing Committee, to oversee the service and steer the Council's response to the Housing Emergency. I was very pleased, as a Council tenant myself, to second the SNP motion which secured that backing. The final go-ahead was given on Thursday 19th November, when the Council again unanimously approved the creation of the new Committee, its terms of reference, and its members.
Nationally, the SNP has already taken steps to free up more stock, such as the doubling of Council Tax on long-term empty and second properties. These measures have led to a drop in the number of second homes in Scotland by 10% (2,455) and a decrease in the number of empty properties by 6% (2,679) compared to 2023.
We have delivered over 131,000 affordable homes since taking office, and will deliver many thousands more in the years to come. Indeed, the Scottish Budget also includes an increase of over £200 million for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, taking the total to £768 million for 2025/26.
But national measures alone will not solve our distinct local issues.
It has been clear for some time that a step-change in reporting, scrutiny and local strategy is required, and this new Housing Committee will take up the mantle of driving that change.
Ably headed by my ward colleague, Councillor Beth Whiteside, alongside a Vice-Convener from the non-aligned group, and a Tenant Participation Spokesman from the opposition, this will be a non-political Committee in which we will seek to find common ground, and work together.
A key part of that will be improving engagement with our tenants, so we can hear directly from them about the issues they are facing, alongside their priorities for change. In November, we agreed a new Tenant Participation Strategy which the new Housing Committee will oversee.
Crucial to this new Housing Committee is the inclusion of three tenant representatives who will sit alongside the elected Councillors in deliberations. Alongside the Tenant Participation Strategy, I believe this will greatly enhance our understanding of the frontline performance of Housing, giving us the ability to act to fix them.
The task won't be easy, nor will it be completed quickly. A big ship does turn slowly.
However we must seize the opportunity to drive improvement in the service with both hands.
As a member of this new Committee, I absolutely understand the responsibility that I and my fellow Councillors are taking up. Our common goal is to improve conditions for our tenants, and to ensure that we deliver safe, warm affordable homes for those who need them.
My commitment is to get straight to work on these goals when the Committee meets in the New Year.
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