It’s been a challenging year for our Council services, and especially around Housing. I must commend our Housing staff for continuing to meet those challenges head on, while doing their very best to meet the expectations of the residents of Clackmannanshire.
The ongoing issues around RAAC have been especially challenging and I feel such genuine sorrow that these remain unresolved a year on. We continue to look for the best solution to this issue and our staff are working every day to find ways to resolve this.
Our traveller community remains displaced, due to circumstances that are out with our control, but we’re hopeful that a solution to that particular issue is imminent. The Elected Members are fully behind our traveller community and we are doing our utmost to address the delays and reach a resolve.
Material and labour cost remain high, post covid, which means we get less for our money and that trend is unlikely to improve. This has had a marked impact on our budgets but we are committed to continuing to meet our commitment to our affordable homes programme and looking at innovative ways to increase our stock to meet the growing demand for suitable homes. We take this very seriously, and we fully understand the frustration of those on our waiting lists, and those who are, sadly, homeless and in need of suitable accommodation.
There are many positives, not least the development at Lochies Road in Clackmannan, providing a small number of much needed and sought after specialist bungalows, which will form part of the regeneration of the area. And there are a number of other potential developments on the horizon that will increase our stock.
Our latest Annual Assurance Statement shows welcome improvements have been made since the last submission and we’ve moved closer to full compliance.
The refreshed Place Directorate Business Plan aligns closely with the Council’s Be the Future vision and aspirations, with a clear focus and approach around the wellbeing economy. The plan demonstrates the need to focus our resources to best effect to achieve our aspirations for the county, while delivering a business-as-usual approach to ensure services continue to reach those who need them.
The Antisocial Behaviour Strategy was recently agreed at Council and this will now inform a new Antisocial Behaviour Policy which will come to Council soon. Working with partners and, more importantly, working with our communities, will be key to eradicating the issues around antisocial behaviour going forward.
I am very proud of this wee county and despite challenging times, this Council will continue to strive towards delivering a first class service.
Councillor Jane McTaggart
Spokesperson
Housing and Property
Housing
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000
Email: housing@clacks.gov.uk