Housing Committee members have approved a £531 million investment over the next five years to improve council homes and strengthen communities across North Lanarkshire
The five-year Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Investment Plan will see £531.5m invested between 2026/27 and 2030/31, with £87.9m allocated in the first year alone.
The programme will deliver improvements for tenants, from new kitchens, bathrooms and windows to heating upgrades, energy efficiency measures and enhanced safety works. It also includes major regeneration projects, tower block improvements, ultrafast broadband for council homes, demolition of obsolete properties and upgrades to sheltered housing complexes.
A significant part of the investment focuses on making homes warmer, greener and more affordable to run with over £254m investment planned in energy efficiency measures over the five years. This includes the continued installation of triple-glazed windows and new doors, expansion of the solar photovoltaic (PV) panel programme. Heating systems will continue to be upgraded, including the introduction of low-carbon solutions where appropriate, alongside external wall insulation and roofing improvements in local towns and villages.
The investment plan continues estate regeneration and demolition programmes in areas including Gowkthrapple, Coatbridge, Wishaw, Kilsyth and Motherwell. Several underused lock-up sites are also proposed for clearance to improve neighbourhood amenity and help reduce anti-social behaviour. Sheltered housing will benefit from major upgrades too, including the installation of modern digital warden-call systems in 19 complexes and ongoing fire safety improvements.
Stephen Llewellyn, Chief Housing Officer explained: “This investment is about making sure our tenants have homes they can feel proud of homes that are warm, safe and ready for the future. We know people are concerned about rising energy costs and reliability, and this plan puts real focus on improving heating, insulation and renewable energy.
“But it’s not just about bricks and mortar. It’s about improving everyday life. Whether that’s modernising sheltered housing, upgrading safety systems or regenerating estates, it is aimed at strengthening communities and supporting the people who live in them.”
Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of Housing, said: “Our priority is to delivering quality homes for our tenants. This is one of the largest housing investment programmes of its kind in Scotland and it shows the scale of our commitment to our communities. These improvements will make a real difference. Lower fuel bills, safer buildings, better living spaces and regeneration that lifts whole neighbourhoods. It’s about creating places where people feel secure, confident and proud to call home.”