Reserve fund cash for new housing?

Orkney islands councillors will consider whether to fill a funding gap of up to £2.1 million from the council’s strategic reserve fund to allow further council houses to be built.

Members of the OIC’s social services and housing committee yesterday recommended asking the policy and resources committee to consider the financial contribution to allow three projects to be added to the development programme — one in each of Kirkwall, Stromness and Westray leading to a further 30 or so properties.

Committee chairman, Councillor Roderick McLeod pointed out that they had already secured funding for 119 houses — phase one of the development programme.

The hope is now that they can secure enough money to bring the total up to around 150 new council houses.