Initially, £24m will be invested in 2020/21 to support planned investment programmes, regeneration, new build homes and retrofitting in projects throughout Renfrewshire.

Brand-new council housing will be developed in Gallowhill and Foxbar, with around 60 and 40 new homes respectively, and work is expected to start later in 2020 on a further 101 new build homes in Ferguslie Park and 39 in South West Johnstone.

This fresh investment builds on 95 new build homes in Johnstone Castle and 80 new homes in Bishopton which are nearing completion.

The multi-million pound investment will also ensure all council housing stock continues to comply with the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, as well as achieving the required energy rating under the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing, through a programme of heating improvements, internal renovations and rewiring - with almost 900 properties set to be upgraded in the first year of the plan.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s communities, housing and planning policy board, said: “This £75m investment reinforces our commitment to providing high quality, energy-efficient housing in Renfrewshire.

“We are investing in building new council housing, but also in improving in our existing tenants’ homes in communities across Renfrewshire and we’ll work closely with these tenants to create new build homes that meet modern day expectations and needs.

“We have committed to the continuing transformation of Renfrewshire and this multi-million-pound investment will help advance the exciting regeneration plans for the region.”

The three-year investment plan was approved at a special council meeting yesterday and councillors also agreed to increase council housing rent by 2% following detailed consultation with tenants.

The announcements come as the local authority sets its 2020/21 budget, key facts of which include:

• A £440m budget
• An investment package totalling £35m benefiting everyone in Renfrewshire
• A £385m five-year capital investment programme 2020/21-2024/25
• £13.9m of planned costs reductions and savings generated to support this budget
• A64% increase on Council Tax, representing a £1.12 weekly increase to Band D households
• £274m in Glasgow City Region City Deal projects to deliver long term inclusive economic growth
• More than £115m in town centre regeneration
• £47m to improve roads and pathways
• More than £30m investment in schools
• £10m to support tackling poverty and help people find work
• £4.5m supporting villages, community projects, assets and green spaces
• £1m to establish a climate change fund, supporting the next steps of the council’s climate emergency working group