Review of council repair system

North Lanarkshire Council’s Scheme of Assistance has been improved to encourage more homeowners to take advantage of help and assistance available for repairs and maintenance to their property.

The review follows recommendations from the local authority’s housing and social work committee who have agreed to reduce the threshold for the minimum costs of work.

They have also approved offering an additional 50 per cent hardship grant, and increasing the debt instalment plan period for owners in mixed tenure blocks.

Councillor Sam Love, convener of housing and social work services, said: “There has been a downturn in owner participation in common and capital programme works, despite the offer of 50 per cent grant assistance. This has led to us being unable to carry out works such as re-roofing and replacement door entry to our flats due to the non-participation of owners.

“We’re being pro-active and given the tough financial times, are looking at ways to encourage owners to be part of work programmes that will help benefit their homes and the communities in which they live.”

The council carried out a consultation before following through with the recommendations to improve the scheme.

Councillor Love added: “We want to encourage owners to maintain their homes and I’m confident the changes made to our Scheme of Assistance will help do just that,”

The requirements to have a Scheme of Assistance came into effect as a result of government legislation and replaced the previous Repair and Improvement Grant scheme.

For more information please contact the council’s private sector section on 01698 274179.

Details of the scheme can also be found on the website www.northlan.gov.uk.