Scottish councils have claimed that their worst fears have been realised following the publication of the Scottish executive’s draft plan for housing market area boards.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities said last week its prediction that local councils would have their powers reduced had been confirmed.

The convention had expressed concerns that the boards – which would decide housing investment policy in Scotland – would remove the power of elected council members to determine where funds for housing would be spent (HT 5 November, page 13).

The trade body is worried that the proposals would see an increased role for regulator Communities Scotland. A spokesman for the convention said it had seen the first draft of the proposals last week. The draft “indicated that Communities Scotland would have an influential role.

“This could be a mechanism that takes away local councils’ role as councils could be outvoted on housing market area boards.”

Source

Housing Today