The new president of Scottish Building Federation's (SBF) Dundee and Angus Association has said she will aim to increase public investment for construction projects.

Recently elected Karen Nicoll has urged local-decision makers to reverse their decision on spending cuts within the Dundee and Angus areas after new figures revealed a drastic fall in the number of completed homes being built.

Over the four year to June 2012, the number of completed publicly-funded homes across the two regions has fallen by 58%. Breaking the figures down, in the year to June 2009, 342 units were completed as compared to 145 units in the year to June 2012.


Across Scotland as a whole, the number of new public sector home completions fell by 6% over the same period.

In addition, Dundee City Council is expecting a 51% fall in capital investment over the five years to April 2016, while capital spending by Angus Council is expected to be 14% lower over the same period.

Talking about the challenges ahead, Nicoll said: "I recognise the huge challenge local authorities across Scotland currently face in delivering core services at a time when public funding is being drastically cut.

"But it's alarming to see the rate of public sector new housebuilding in Dundee and Angus has fallen so dramatically when demand for new homes is at a record high."

Nicoll added it would be "disastrous for the local economy" if capital investment was cut because construction firms in Dundee and Angus were in need of new work to help sustain local employment.

(JP)