Angus Council’s proposed 7.2% rent rise for local authority tenants has triggered a political spat as opposition councillors question the level of local backing for the jump.
Approval of the increase, which has been recommended by officials and backed by the tenants’ rent-setting group, will take the average weekly Angus council rent to £53.49.
Tenants’ group figures were at the Forfar Town & County Hall meeting to see the increase rubber-stamped and they spoke in support of the proposal and the strong working relationship with the authority.
The agreed increase was the lowest, and overwhelmingly supported option of three considered as part of a lengthy rent-setting process.
But although nearly 80% of those who responded to a council questionnaire favoured the agreed level, opposition councillors highlighted the fact the survey response represented just 16% of all Angus Council tenants.
Neighbourhood services vice-convener and Forfar councillor Colin Brown said the income from the approved rents would allow for continuing investment in Angus stock, in upgrading of existing homes and the creation of new properties.
”Today’s decision will see a real boost to investment in the county,” said Mr Brown. ”On average, over the life of the Angus Alliance, we’ve spent some £10m per year on our stock.
”On top of that we’ve built and funded over 200 new homes for rent and low-cost home ownership, a total investment of over £70m.”
He added: ”Over my time as vice-convener of neighbourhood services, one thing has impressed above all else and that is the commitment, tenacity and knowledge of our tenants’ movement.
”They have worked with us tirelessly on shaping every policy we have worked on and been instrumental in driving the continuous improvements in our services.
”I pay tribute to their energy and commitment and it is thanks to our tenants that the future is so bright,” said Mr Brown.
Tenant Tom O’Brien of the rent-setting group told councillors the proposed increase was ”fair and forward looking.”
But Forfar SNP councillor Glennis Middleton claimed the authority could find itself in rent arrears trouble as the financial climate continues to bite and families feel the effect of changes to the benefits system.
”I am hugely concerned. I’m very glad there’s such a huge response for the lower increase, but worried that the survey return was only 16%. I’m almost worried that people may be pricing themselves out of the council housing market because this, for some, will be a significant rise.”
Councillor Sheen Welsh added: ”It’s a concern that 84% didn’t respond. I know it is very difficult to get people to participate, but when it is as important to families as the level of rent for the house they live in we have to do make every effort to do more to get them to be involved.”
Alliance leader Bob Myles responded: ”If people are discontent they find the need to get up and participate in these things. I think is some respects the low turnout is reflective of the satisfaction of people in Angus. Let us not lose sight of the fact that council house rents in Angus are some of the lowest in Scotland and that is very welcome news.”
Head of housing Alan McKeown told the meeting: ”We looked at every option, from 0% to more than what is proposed the full range of options is always explored. This year was one of the highest questionnaire response rates. We continually review how we can get more and more engagement and will carry on working to see if we can get that to be an ever-increasing figure.”