The Housing Capital Investment Plan has been developed with two over-arching strategic priorities; to improve the energy efficiency and quality of the existing housing stock, and to increase the supply of affordable housing throughout the area.

The Housing Services expenditure budget for 2025/26 is estimated at £16.706 million while the Housing Capital budget includes investment of just under £8m across the existing estate. An allocation of £15.375m to the affordable housing investment programme was agreed.

The Housing Capital budget investment of just under £8m across the existing estate includes investing just over £6m to improve the quality and energy efficiency of existing council houses to meet quality and environmental standards, including over £2.8m on housing quality including a replacement programme for windows, doors, kitchens and bathrooms and £3m on energy efficiency measures.

The budget also includes investment of a further £4m for the purchase of properties from the open market. 

Council leader Councillor Gordan Low said: “Despite the financial challenges facing all local authorities we feel with this budget we have continued to show our commitment in investing in the development of our existing housing supply while proactively adding to it.

“We have outlined plans that will see over 300 new properties progressing through development across nine locations right across the area. Our proposal to build these new homes to Passivhaus standards ensures that we maximise energy efficiency, minimise heat demand and deliver the twin goals of negligible carbon emissions whilst addressing fuel poverty.

“This is good news for East Dunbartonshire and a step towards our net zero carbon commitments. A further £4m to purchase properties from the open market will see the council purchasing around 25 properties a year focusing on areas where it is challenging to build whilst to meet specific local demand.”

A rent increase of 4% was agreed, increasing the average weekly rent to £101.57 over 48 weeks, an increase of £3.91 per week. A 4% increase for lock-up and garage site rents was also approved.

Councillor Low added: “The rent from our housing estate directly supports our housing operations and housing investment right across the estate.

“Our aim is to ensure rent remains affordable for our tenants. Our agreed rent increase of 4% is the third lowest of the 15 comparison authorities considered in our budget planning process and over two per cent lower that the comparison average of 6.1%.”

Additionally, a planned approach to preventive roofing measures, fencing and close painting programme for the existing housing stock were also outlined.

Overall revenue and capital budgets

Elsewhere, the council also approved its Revenue and Capital budgets for this year which will see it spend £379.127m on delivering essential local services while also committing to significant investment across the area.

The Revenue Budget – which pays for the day-to-day running of the council – is mainly funded by the Scottish Government with approximately 23% coming from Council Tax. Capital money can only be used on one-off long-term initiatives such as play parks and new buildings.

To ensure the council has a balanced budget and that all the proposed investments are carried out whilst also bridging the budget gap of £23.946m, a rise of 13% in Council Tax was agreed. This increase includes 2.75% for the unfunded element of Employers National Insurance and 2.1% for the delivery of a new Balmuildy Primary School.

Together the 2025/2026 Revenue Budget and Capital Programme will:

• Maintain key local services
• Invest in vital infrastructure including progressing designs for the construction of a new Westerton Primary School and the construction of a new Balmuildy Primary School
• Improvement works across the school estate, including at Bearsden and Milngavie primaries and feasibility studies at several other schools
• Invest £1m to refurbish sports pavilions at Merkland Recreation Centre, Thorn Park and Colquhoun Park
• Invest £1.16m in upgrading sports pitches at Merkland Recreation Centre and Huntershill Community Sports Hub
• Invest £0.3m to complete a feasibility study for upgrading sports facilities at Oakburn Park, Milngavie
• Invest in revitalising Campsie Memorial Hall
• Invest in 15 new mechanical school crossing points and recruit a further 12 School Crossing Patrollers.

Council leader Gordan Low said: “With no respite from ever-rising construction costs, our asset development aspirations continue to be impacted.

“We have however managed to set and agree a budget that reduces our costs, increases our income and continues to deliver our essential services in the heart of our communities. We believe our agreed Revenue and Capital budgets provide the best possible approach to delivering our priorities, providing the best possible services to the people of East Dunbartonshire, and protecting our invaluable workforce.”

Further budget decisions to bridge the funding gap include a range of management and operational efficiencies which will save millions.

Councillor Low added: “The work undertaken by council officers to deliver every possible cost reduction, right across the organisation, to reduce our revenue spend without impacting on service delivery is to be commended. The financial efficiencies to balance the 2025/26 budget contain a combination of measures including proposals and actions by the Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer across council and HSCP services to deliver over £5.6m in efficiencies.

“There was agreement across the Chamber that setting a balanced budget hasn’t been easy and that we will continue to make representation to Scottish and Westminster governments to seek additional funding to ensure that we can continue to deliver vital services for our communities.”