COUNCIL house rents in Clackmannanshire will increase by 3.1 per cent for 2022-23, elected officials have agreed.

The local authority will also raise the charges for lock-up garages, garage pitch-site rental and associated tenancy charges by the same percentage from April as part of a package of measures that will generate income of almost £23million.  

The increase comes after tenants were surveyed and, although the majority preferred a 2.1 per cent rise, officers recommended that at least a 3.1 per cent increase was needed given inflation projections.

The council previously approved a rental strategy of pegging the rent increase to CPI, although officers have based that on September’s 3.1 per cent rather than the current figure of 5.4 per cent.

Following last year’s rent freeze, council housing spokesperson Ckkr Craig Holden said he felt it was now “essential” to raise rents and charges by a “sensible” amount.

He added: “While it’s never a pleasurable task to increase rents and charges, I genuinely believe that by restricting the increase we are striking a fair balance in the face of an uncertain future."

Around £17.2m has been earmarked for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget in terms of expenditure for 2022-23, while the expected capital programme for 2022-23 is projected at £15.90m. 

Councillors heard that investment in council stock has meant that the Wee County’s council homes are ranked second best in the country in meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS). 

Indeed, following the survey, 69 per cent of respondents agreed that the council’s rent represents good value for money, while 78 per cent felt the current rent charge was affordable. 

Key investment priorities over the short to medium term continue to be external building fabric such as roof replacements with external wall upgrades, central heating upgrades, and window replacements.

Council leader Ellen Forson praised staff for their excellent work and said it was “no small feat” for Clackmannanshire to be ranked where it is in terms of the SHQS,

Meanwhile, the rental charge for the Westhaugh Travelling Persons site will be frozen as the site is due to be decanted throughout the year for Scottish Government grant-funded improvements.