The new president of Scottish building’s trade body is to fight for increased public investment in construction projects in Angus and Dundee.
Karen Nicoll has taken up the reins as president of the Scottish Building Federation’s (SBF) Dundee and Angus Association and has called for local spending cuts to be reversed.
Latest figures show the number of public sector home completions in Dundee City and Angus council areas fell from 342 units during the year to June 2009 to 145 units during the year to June 2012.
She said: “It is a real honour that members have placed their trust in me during what continue to be such challenging times for the construction industry.
“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 house building in Dundee and Angus has fallen so dramatically when demand for new homes is at a record high.
“What is more, many construction firms in Dundee and Angus are in desperate need of a pipeline of new work to sustain local employment opportunities within the industry.
“In this context, cutting back capital investment over the coming years would be disastrous for the local economy.
“As new president of the Dundee and Angus Association of the Scottish Building Federation, I am keen to work with local decision-makers to ensure this doesn’t happen.”
Karen was voted in as president at the association’s annual meeting at the Finavon Hotel in Forfar.
She takes over the role from David Shepherd, to become the first female president of the Dundee and Angus Association.
Karen is a director with Carnoustie family business DJ Laing (Contracts) Ltd, which has a workforce of 120 employees.
She has been with the firm for 23 years, and was instrumental in DJ Laing achieving the Investors in People award in 2009.
Karen takes up her position as the latest figures show the completion of publicly-funded homes across Dundee and Angus has dropped by 58% over the four years to June 2012.
By comparison, new public sector home completions across Scotland fell by 6% over that same period.
Meanwhile, Dundee City Council is anticipating a 51% drop in capital investment over the five years to April 2016, while capital spending by Angus Council is expected to be 14% lower in 2015-16 than in 2011-12.
Scottish Building Federation executive director Michael Levack said: “My congratulations go to Karen on her election as president of the Dundee and Angus Association of the Scottish Building Federation.
“She brings a wealth of experience of the local construction industry to this role and I am confident she will do an excellent job of fighting the industry’s corner as it continues to build a sustainable recovery.”
Founded in 1895, the Scottish Building Federation is the lead voice of the construction industry in Scotland, an industry that is the largest source of private investment north of the border.
The overall aim of the organisation is to ensure that the important contribution of the Scottish construction industry to Scotland’s economy and society is recognised and valued.