NEW insulation to flats on a Dumbarton Street are gradually moving forward, a council committee has heard.

The improvements to properties in Risk Street has taken “considerable time” to negotiate with a mix of owners, the housing and communities committee heard last week.

Of 135 properties in six blocks, the council owns 72 and 63 are privately owned. Voting by owners resulted in all 72 council flats in favour and 45 of the private ones voting to go forward. The other 18 were either “no” or no returned ballot.

In a report to councillors, it stated: The necessary roof renewal, render and balustrade renewal were to progress irrespective of the improvement part. The inclusion of external insulation enables access to energy efficiency grant support for owners in order to reduce their financial burden.”

Alan Young, housing asset and investment manager, told the committee a viable tender for the work had been agreed but the building warrant has to be approved first, and that will likely be around October or November.

He added: “We will have a public event own there to give residents a feel of what’s happening.”