Housing services rated 'poor'

HOUSING management and homeless services in Midlothian have been rated as "poor" by national inspectors.

Bosses from the Scottish Housing Regulator said a "significant improvement" was needed in the two areas, and asked the council to draw up an improvement plan.

Inspectors from Communities Scotland, now the Scottish Housing Regulator, visited the county in January and February.

They did, however, give the council – which owns more than 6000 homes – a "good" rating for its asset management.

Michael Cameron, acting head of inspection, said: "The council is aware that it needs to improve in a number of areas, including permanently housing homeless people and assessment procedures for those presenting as homeless."

Midlothian Council leader Derek Milligan said the inspectors had recognised their good performance in building new homes.

He added: "We recognise some of our practices have been neglected as a result of this, but we will work hard to develop and implement an improvement plan."