Council houses to be advertised

The council has about 17,000 properties in its housing stock

Falkirk Council has unveiled plans to publicise council homes in the same way estate agents advertise private properties.

For the first time applicants will be able to see available houses for rent via adverts online and in libraries.

The system will replace the current one whereby applicants choose an area to live rather than a particular property.

The change comes after a review of the council's allocation policy found it did not help those in most need.

Communities Scotland published a critical report earlier this year into the area's homeless service and the way properties were allocated.

At present there are 8,066 people waiting for a council property in the Falkirk area, including 500 assessed as homeless.

The authority has about 17,000 properties in its entire housing stock.

Councillors also want to get rid of the current points system whereby applicants are given a score when they register for a house.

If agreed, the new proposals will see applicants placed into one of three groups, including homeless, home movers or home starters.

'Excellent approach'

When registering applicants will also be able to indicate which areas they would like to live in.

The number of areas is being reduced from 102 to seven and will reflect school catchment areas.

"I believe this draft policy provides us with an excellent approach to meeting the housing needs of local people in the 21st century," said Gerry Goldie, convener of housing and social services.

"We still have some aspects to develop further and we will be consulting again but the new policy shows how we can more effectively meet housing need and give applicants a real say in the process of finding a home."

The proposals have drawn criticism from the council's opposition SNP group.

Opposition leader David Alexander warned the plan could exclude the elderly or infirm because of the complex nature of the bidding process.

He added: "The plans are fatally flawed, lack transparency and consistency yet are being rushed through with minimal scrutiny.

"The SNP will take this back to the full meeting of Falkirk Council tomorrow and will move a series of amendments to blunt the detrimental impact this will have on our applicants."

The new proposals were agreed at a special meeting of the Housing and Social Services Committee on Tuesday and are now set to go out for further consultation over the summer.