The Press & Journal has reported that council officers are drawing up a draft proposal that will see people who declare themselves homeless given a settled mainstream housing outcome as quickly as possible.

Moray already has a relatively low number of rough sleepers and repeat homelessness according to the Housing Need and Demand Assessment 2017, but this new initiative aims to eradicate the problem completely.

Some councillors expressed concerns that the new plan could place added pressure on the region’s housing waiting list of 3500.

However, Richard Anderson, the head of housing and property at the council, urged members to study the full details before passing judgment.

He said: “I think what we are actually looking at is a transitional plan that makes sense for both the waiting list, the transfer list and the homelessness list.

“It’s clear that we have to do a lot more proactive work in terms of dealing with homelessness but I think I would urge you to wait and see the plan in December.

“This isn’t going to be a big bang effect, this is going to be a plan to take us over the next five years, so it’s going to be an evolving document.”

The Scottish Government has set a deadline of December 31 for a draft rapid rehousing transition plan to be submitted.