Plan to improve homeless services

The council's housing services were criticised in the report

Councillors in Falkirk are meeting to discuss their response to a critical government report into the way the authority deals with homeless people.

Communities Scotland rated Falkirk's homelessness services "poor" and said significant improvement was needed.

The report, published in February, has already prompted changes in the way homes are allocated.

The authority is due to submit a plan on how it will further improve the service to the agency on 22 April.

Falkirk Council was criticised for the way it allocates housing, the failure to meet its own targets when dealing with non urgent repairs and weaknesses in the use of bed and breakfast accommodation.

Policy review

It emerged at the end of 2006, £1.2m a year was being spent on bed and breakfast accommodation for those officially classed as homeless.

Recent figures also show that about 12,500 people are waiting for a council property in the district.

About 600 of those were classed as having a priority need. The local authority currently has about 17,000 properties in its housing stock.

In January, Falkirk Council announced that only those considered to be in greatest need would be given a council home in future.

The improvement plan also sets out moves to expand the council's repair services and minimise the future use of B&B accommodation.