Pre-Housing & Communities Forum
Open to all tenants and TRA representatives
Note of meeting on Monday 23 February 2026 at 16 Church Street Council Offices, Dumbarton and on zoom
Attendees
Cllr Gurpreet Johal (Housing Convener) - chaired meeting
John Kerr (Housing Development & Homelessness Manager)
Frances McGonagle (Littleholm TRA + WDTRO)
Harry McCormack (Tullichewan TRA + WDTRO)
Janette Donlin (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO)
Jaqui Peacock (Dalmuir MSF TRA + WDTRO)
Jane Mack (Snr Housing Development Officer-Tenant Participation)
Stefan Kristmanns (Housing Development Co-ordinator)
Mikayla Deeley (Snr Housing Development Officer)
Beata Csibi (Snr Housing Development Officer) – on zoom
Apologies
June Todd (WDTRO), Mary Paton (Willox Park TRA + WDTRO) and Councillor
Hazel Sorrell (Vice Housing Convener)
Councillor Johal welcomed everyone to the meeting.
First paper discussed was the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Housing Capital Investment Programme 2026-31 and the HRA revenue budget for 2026/27 and to agree the level of weekly rent increase for 2026/27. This paper will be discussed at the Full Council meeting on Wed 4/3/26.
John Kerr talked thro the report that sets out the consultation taken about the 4 rent options proposed. Had a good response and the preferred option was option 1 for a 6.7% increase which included maintaining all current services, new build programme, Multi-storey flat Strategy, Capital investment programme and Tenant Priority Budget of £200k.
6.7% increase is in mid-region compared to other landlord increases. Since stock retention decision, WDC have had consistent investment plan whereas some Councils are playing catch up.
Stefan also highlighted the HRA savings made and are looking at savings every week to ensure getting value for money. Big focus has been on void management to reduce costs but also to relet quicker to reduce rent loss.
Key points from discussion
No questions were asked but Frances made the point that the WDTRO hope that the Council will go with the tenant majority for option1. Gurpreet confirmed that they would and added that option 2 (which included additional expenditure of £140k for grass cutting) had been put in for specific reason and now have a clear view of tenants’ priority. He confirmed that officers were aware of the HRA areas and only HRA money used to maintain them.
John confirmed that Nicola Pettigrew been discussing with Greenspace housing’s priorities and what level of service housing will get. Focus will be on housing areas around MSF and sheltered housing.
Action: Is a key focus for tenants and all agreed for Jane to contact Nicola to clarify the priority list and what level of service has been agreed so that it could be monitored.
Moved onto the reports going to the Housing & Communities Committee (HACC).
The reports from the Police and Fire Service were noted – their format is liked and easy to understand. Stefan confirmed that Housing are reviewing Charter report format and WDTRO will be involved with that and will aim to make it more easy to understand and attractive to read similar to these reports.
Item 8 - More Homes West Dunbartonshire - West Dunbartonshrie Council Affordable Housing Supply Delivery Programme
Mikayla gave a summary of the report and confirmed that Gilmore Avenue now completed and first tenant moved in. Willox Park move also ongoing and tenants are being assisted to move into the new building. Many have been saying how happy and settled they are in them already.
John also advised that CCG have the land where the former Frank Downie House was and will be asking for permission to buy it and then use CCG to build amenity housing there.
All new build developments are transfer led which means transfer tenants get offered them and aim particularly to promote downsizing and when tenants move in, their old property can then be relet.
Item 9 - Housing Emergency Action Plan
John set out this update report. Action plan created to tackle the Housing Emergency now only has 1 outstanding action which had been delayed by Job Evaluation and taken longer due to internal resources but is in final stages. Hoping for end of May for new Housing Solutions Service to be in place with a focus on prevention as well as homelessness.
Have also scaled up Housing First as new funding became available. Specific young person post being created to help young people thrive in their tenancy.
The second Housing Summit took place on 2/2/26 and had good feedback from attendees. Update report going to May HACC will include new actions and a view of how to leave the emergency.
Key points from discussion
Question was asked about the high number of voids in Dalmuir MSFs considering there are so many people homeless and John advised that was probably more a turnover issue as the level of voids was much lower than it’s been before. Properties are also void for less time as are repaired and relet quite quickly. Rent loss has been reduced by £500k and continues to fall – is more to do but still a key focus.
Stefan confirmed that tenancy sustainment was 92% which is high and means that at least the majority of tenants stay at least a year. Do look at those who don’t sustain their tenancy and try to address any issues.
Item 10 - Housing Capital Investment Programme
John explained this complex paper as it is an assessment of current investment plans and assessment has shown that investments are fundable and meet tenants’ priorities. Interest rates have been volatile but indications are that they will stabilise and have passed their peak. The paper sets out various investment options and financial modelling.
Tenant satisfaction survey in 2024 showed that tenant main priorities were better repairs service and building more homes. Less interest in environmental works so will look at that investment and see if any savings could be made and include proposals within the next rent setting consultation. Could also reduce house building to reduce borrowing costs but could also look to do more investment from CFCR (Capital financed from current revenue) so still invest but borrow less.
Investment been shown to benefit the HRA. 60 year borrowing life but properties are built to be a longer-term asset to the HRA of over 100 years. Are paid for in initial years and cash flow positive from Year 7 and produce a surplus by Year 13. New builds also add to future component replacement programmes and surplus from new builds can contribute to that so becomes self-financing.
Various tables in the paper set out the positive impact building homes produces to meet housing needs but also for longer term health of HRA.
No questions were raised.
Item 11 - Lock-up and Garage Site Review Update
Beata advised that the paper included an updated lock-up policy and garage site procedure. Also the Portpatrick Road garages had been identified as needing particular attention due to poor condition of many garages and problems with fly tipping. The Garage site management procedures will also help the sites be managed better in future.
The review of lock-ups and garage sites is ongoing and Beata confirmed that updates will continue to be provided to the JRG and there will be further consultation.
No questions asked.
Item 12 - Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budgetary Control Report to 31 October 2025 (Period 7)
The update provided in the rent setting paper includes HRA financial information up to end of January (period 10) so is more up to date than this report – is just because of the HACC cycle. Same is for the Capital budgetary control report below.
No questions asked.
Item 13 - Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Budget Control Report to 31 October 2025 (Period 7)
Item 14 - General Fund Housing and Communities Financial Report 2025/26 as at Period 7 (31 October 2025)
No questions asked.
This Forum is open to all tenants and members of Tenant & Residents Associations
The next Pre- HACC Forum will be on Monday 11 May 2026 with the Housing Convenor and officers who have written the committee papers.
The papers are available the week before and electronic copies will be sent to all TRA Secretaries, WDTRO members and via TP Facebook page.
Paper copies will also be made available as usually a lengthy document to read on a small screen- please contact Tenant Participation if you want a paper copy delivered to you.