Council brings more empty homes into use

Argyll and Bute Council has brought more empty properties back into use during the most recent financial year – but street lighting repairs are on the decline again.

 

A report has revealed that a total of 38 vacant council properties across the area were brought back into use between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022.

 

That figure is 13 more than was recorded during the previous financial year, and the number has risen for the first time since at least the end of the 2017/18 financial year.

 

However, the same report also reveals that the number of street lighting faults repaired within 10 days has fallen again in the last three months, with staff in the council department suffering from Covid. As a result, more than 200 faults remain outstanding.

 

The report was due be discussed by the authority’s environment, development and infrastructure committee at its meeting on Thursday, June 2.

 

A council spokesperson said in the report: 'Argyll and Bute Council’s Empty Homes Team picked up the highly sought after ‘Outstanding Team Award’ at the March 2022 Scottish Empty Homes Awards.

 

'The awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding work and achievements of individuals and organisations in reviving empty homes across Scotland.'

 

Fifteen of the revived properties are in Bute and Cowal while eight are in Oban, Lorn and the Isles. Helensburgh and Lomond, and Mid-Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands, boast six each.

 

Meanwhile, the percentage of street lighting repairs carried out within 10 days across Argyll and Bute has dipped to 28 per cent in the first three months of 2022.

 

However, the spokesperson added that efforts were being made to catch up with the backlog. They said: 'The street lighting team were affected by Covid absences in the final quarter, with all staff being off at some point due to Covid.

 

'This has been reflected in the performance figures which has dipped to 28 per cent of faults being repaired within the 10-day period across the Argyll and Bute Council area. A total of 241 faults are still outstanding at this time with staff prioritising where appropriate.

 

'In prioritising faults, staff will review the timescale of reported faults (i.e. clear oldest ones first) and review sections where there may be more than one light fault reported (i.e. a stretch of five lights as opposed to one light outage).

 

'Early indications show that the backlog of outstanding faults is being addressed for financial quarter one of 2022/23. However, this continues to be monitored.'