Better pay for contracts elsewhere has been blamed for Angus Council falling behind with housing projects across the district.
The authority expects to fall more than £4 million short of its £18.5m spending plans in the 2019/20 capital programme, including six-figure underspends in areas including heating, kitchen and bathroom replacements.
Communities committee councillors raised concerns over the progress and were told Angus is taking a hit from a national shortage of trades affecting the construction industry.
Arbroath West and Letham Liberal Democrat Richard Moore said: “Sheltered housing is at just 39% of the budget.
“It is all very well saying we have an underspend, but if we’re not providing what we are saying we are going to then it is a hollow victory.
Angus Provost Ronnie Proctor also highlighted kitchen and bathroom replacement programme slippages and said the council need to “keep a very close eye” on those.
Housing service leader John Morrow said new build and infrastructure considerations were among the major challenges facing the authority in its efforts to keep spending on track and schemes progressing.
“There are some issues trying to retain the trades in Angus,” he told councillors.
“Better rates may be offered elsewhere so retention of that experience is becoming harder and harder.
“The contractors delivering kitchens and bathrooms for us have taken steps and they seem to be fully staffed.
“We’re concerned that if we pull back too fast that puts pressure on our tenants and staff. We don’t want it to become too onerous for the work to be completed and then you end up with more complaints than compliments.”
The situation has led to a delayed start on site at Timmergreens in Arbroath where a major regeneration projects is planned.
Mr Morrow added: “Slippage of £2.1m is projected. This is partly attributable to issues obtaining Scottish Water technical approval which means construction for the Emislaw site will now commence in spring 2020. However, the Muirton site is expected to begin in Feburary 2020.
“Works continue to mitigate poor performance experienced in a previous heating contract with a predicted slippage of £435,000. “
He also said additional resources were being directed to fully investigate boiler replacements and call system installation at various sheltered housing sites across Angus.
“This will enable better analysis and consultation with customers, but has resulted in anticipated slippage of £195,000,” he said.
