SNP push for housing aid in Helensburgh and Lomond

Sep 26 2008 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

CALLS have been made for more funding to reflect the demand for social housing in Helensburgh and Lomond.

Over the past three years, the area has received only 12 per cent of available cash, despite containing a third of the Argyll and Bute Council area population.

Now SNP councillors are demanding government recognition of the higher than average building and infrastructure costs in rural areas and an increase in allocation.

The council’s SNP Group held a series of discussions last week over the current housing sector crisis. Members also met with council officers and enterprise minister, Jim Mather.

Helensburgh councillor, James Robb, said: “There is widespread recognition of the need to make the social housing sector more efficient. Argyll and Bute Council is a partner in the Strategic Housing Forum, which brings together all interested parties in the provision of social housing. The predicted falls in house prices coupled to the contraction in the construction industry, also lowering costs, means the reduction in national support levels looks entirely manageable.

“We must meet the housing needs in Argyll and Bute, obtain the best value for tax-payers money, ensure the viability of the local construction industry and secure local jobs.”