Aberdeen Councillors have approved a 3.8% rent increase for council tenants next financial year.

At their annual budget meeting, elected members agreed by 29 votes to nine to maintain the rent policy of the rate of inflation plus 1%.

This equates to a rent increase of £2.23 per week, reflecting a 3.8% increase which takes the average rent to £60.98 per week on a 48-week basis.

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Lead Councillor for Housing Cllr Aileen Malone said: "This is a budget that will continue to raise standards across the city.

"It will accelerate our service modernisation and improvement programme, bringing about the improvement of our tenants' homes.

"It will increase the provision of new affordable housing in Aberdeen and deliver our vision of enhancing the environment in social housing areas."

Improvements scheduled for 2009/10 include an improved security service to all tenants of multi-story flats and an improved cleaning service

(GK/BMcC)