Protest campaigns widen actions

Direct action is the name of the game now. The Defend Glasgow Services Campaigners have targetted the Scottish Conservative Party’s annual conference in Stirling on Saturday 8 June. A bus load of them will leave from the UNISON office in 84 Bell Street, Candleriggs at 8.45am. Said Brian Smith, Branch Secretary of the trade union: ‘We’re fighting the bedroom tax and the Tory cuts! We’re running a free bus to the protest for those wishing to tell the Tories exactly what we think.’ They are linking with a similar group in Stirling which has organised a rally against the bedroom tax and the UK Government’s austerity programme in Stirling’s King’s Park at 10am.

Contact for Brian: enquiries@glasgowcityunison.co.uk

On the home front – Glasgow Home Owners Campaign is currently protesting against the unfairness of free overcladding work being given to home owners now, when their members have had to pay up to £7,500 each for such work which they were forced to carry out by their factor GHA (Glasgow Housing Association) in the recent past.

‘Many people have been put in debt through this,’ said Sean Clerkin who chairs the Campaign which meets regularly in the Jury’s Inn in Jamaica Street, Glasgow. ‘And those who can’t pay are now appearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court and face the possibility of losing their homes.’

GHA has refused to discuss the issue with them, so the group held a sit-in at the GHA headquarters last month. If they continue to get no satisfaction from GHA the campaigners have the company’s chief – Martin Armstrong – in their sights. More recently they held a sit-in at Scottish Government offices in Waterloo Street because the Scottish Government and energy companies have combined to offer the free work to home owners.

Thousands say ‘Axe the bedroom tax.’

The biggest protest rally Glasgow has seen in years had more than 3000 people marching from Glasgow Green to George Square,  united in their opposition to the bedroom tax.

Seasoned campaigners, families with their children and baby buggies, trade unionists, people in a wide variety of mobility carts and folk walking their dogs, took more than an hour to wend their way to the city centre. Many of them shouting: ‘Axe the tax.’

Facing the City Chambers, a series of speakers explained why their campaign was part of a wide strategy to protect the most vulnerable in the community.

Labour MP Ann McKechin, MSP Frank McAveety and Glasgow City Councillor George Redmond were among the group who marched. Arriving in George Square, Westminster MP Ann McKechin said to this website’s reporter: ‘I’m not surprised at this turnout. People are shocked by the scale of this unfair and unjust tax. The Westminster government doesn’t understand the full impact it will have.’

But Labour politicians were castigated by different speakers. Said one: ‘They might have marched near the front but it is inconsistent with what they are doing to the families they are victimising in the learning disability community in Glasgow. Glasgow City Council has these families on its hit list by closing three of the seven day centres they use.’

Another speaker put it more bluntly: ‘Glasgow City Council should be ashamed of themselves. They have influence and power. They should tell all Housing Associations in Glasgow and Glasgow Housing Association that there must be NO EVICTIONS in the city. We need to know who’s side they are on.’

The same speaker highlighted the £100 billion cost of the Trident refit and warheads for Faslane nuclear base. She urged people to support a March on Easter Monday from Glasgow to Faslane which they intended to shut down for the day. ‘All these things are connected. They say there is no money, so attack the poor. But they can spend billions on weapons which can wipe out half of humanity. If we stand together we have the power, strength and determination to stop evictions and end this bedroom tax policy.’

Alan Wyllie of the West of Scotland Anti-Bedroom Tax Federation summed it up for most of the speakers: ‘I’m an ordinary guy and don’t see this as a political fight. I ask what is right and what is wrong? I believe it is wrong that the most vulnerable people are the hardest hit. It is wrong that fuel and food costs are rising while wages and benefits are going down. It is wrong to have this tax on bedrooms when millionaires are having their taxes cut. We are all in this together and must stop evictions. I urge Labour and SNP to protect all Scots. It is your duty!’

He said he’d read all the 2010 election manifestos. ‘There was no mention of the bedroom tax. The Westminster government has no mandate for this,’ he claimed to loud applause from the crowd. ‘We didn’t ask for this. We don’t want it. But the Government is attacking the most vulnerable in our communities. Mark my words: We will unite and we will win.’

He led the way for many different groups to work together against the bedroom tax, by launching a Facebook campaign several months ago.

Speaker John McFarlane said the first round of the battle had been won by Dundee City Council declaring there would be no evictions in their city as a result of the tax. ‘Every council should do the same. MPs and MSPs are supposed to represent us but we have to ask – do they stand for us or do they stand for the Tory bankers? If they do we must remove them!’

Black Triangle speaker David Churchley said: ‘This bedroom tax is unworkable and unmanageable. It’s better for us to get off our knees and fight than not to fight at all.’ Calling for a 24 hour strike he added: ‘It is up to us to keep what has been ours for 100 years. We didn’t cause this crisis but we’re being made to pay for it.’

Daniel McGarrall from the Glasgow against ATOS campaign said that 73 people die each week after being found fit to work by ATOS. He invited listeners to join the demonstrations on the last Friday of each month outside ATOS offices and the Commonwealth Games offices because ATOS is a sponsor of the Glasgow 2014 Games.

He outlined how he and another campaigner face a court trial for campaigning. ‘We are defending the right to protest. And we will not be beaten.’

A spokesman from Govan Law Centre said that the bedroom tax was bringing misery to 100,000 people in Scotland. ‘Around 80% of those affected are disabled. It is wrong that the Government is targetting the most vulnerable people,’ he said, voicing his support to axe the tax and for no evictions.

Mary Lockhart reminded people of the Govan women who fought against the rent increases in 1919 when their menfolk were fighting in the war. ‘They fought the landlords so that their children wouldn’t have to sleep on the floor. They took a stand, got the shipyard workers on their side and said: ‘I will stand by you, if you will stand by me.’ Everyone today needs to be ready to protest and take action and stand by each other.’

As the marchers assembled at Glasgow Green, David Churchley was proudly holding the leading banner with his one good hand – the other being unusable because of a stroke. He said: ‘ I’m on the march because of this appalling, vicious vindictive bedroom tax. If you thought Thatcher’s poll tax was bad; Cameron’s is worse.’ A former IT worker, he has been unable to work since his stroke. He added: ‘My benefit will be reduced by £12 a week. I use my spare room for equipment like my treadmill so that I can do the exercises that keep me reasonably fit.’

Said worker Michael Collins with son Finn (8): ‘We work and pay our taxes so that people can get help when they need it. We don’t want our money to be given to bankers.’

Said student Jennifer Dornan: ‘We must fight to oppose the injustice of the bedroom tax and convince people to do something about it. This attack is on the most vulnerable. We should be gunning for the people in government who can afford it.’

Paul McLaughlin of Glasgow West GAP which has been providing welfare support and advice for 13 years, said: ‘We have to show our real anger and opposition to these charges. People of good conscience can’t let this happen. Everyone must stand up and be counted because individuals are being isolated and made scapegoats. We’ve got to waken people up to the need to organise.’ The advice centre is now located at Kinning Park Complex, 43 Cornwall Street, near Kinning Park underground.

Frank Doyle of Glasgow Against Atos said: ‘This is an unjust society. The bankers get off but there is an assault on the most vulnerable.’

A 23-year-old banner last used in protest against the poll tax, was dusted down and on display by Dundee Fintry fighters.

Said Albert Mitchell: ‘I’ve got a two bedroom house. My benefit of £141 will be reduced by £41 a fortnight. By the time I pay things like my gas and electricity I’m left with £10 a week to live on.’ Colleague Michael MacGregor, who brought the banner out of his cupboard, said: ‘We have the same threat of evictions and bailiffs now as we had in the days of the poll tax.’

Another marcher, called Sarah, of the West of Scotland Anti-bedroom Tax Federation said: ‘There are an awful lot of people worried about the consequences of this terrible tax. A separated couple with joint custody and where the woman receives the child benefit, will find that the man will be penalised for having a bedroom for his own child.’

Fighter Margaret Jaconelli, who was evicted from her East End property because it was in the way of Commonwealth Games development and who wouldn’t accept £30,000 compensation for her home of more than 20 years, was also on the march. ‘This bedroom tax will mean that people will be evicted – just like me. I’m still fighting for justice two years on and haven’t received one penny of compensation.’

Mum Sharon with her two-year-old, was protesting on behalf of a friend who also has a two-year-old. ‘My friend has the wee one and a 14 year old. The two children will have to share one bedroom. Their dad, who is in a new relationship, will have to move into a one bedroom place from his present two bedroom house. He’ll need to sleep on the sofa when his kids come to stay. But where is his new partner expected to sleep? Families aren’t static today and there is no thought given to that.’

Another woman in the crowd told this website’s reporter: ‘I’m not paying the bedroom tax. I’ll put the money by and hope that stops them evicting me. But I’m not paying it.’

Supporters were urged to turn out ‘in your hundreds’ at every local council chambers and Housing Association headquarters on Wednesday 10 April. ‘Give them holy hell,’ said the speaker. ‘Tell them in no uncertain terms we say ‘Axe the bedroom Tax’ and ‘NO’ to evictions.’

 

 

The ba’s still on the slates say home owners

An independent report on work done by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) to re-roof and re-clad properties in their care, has been condemned as ‘whitewash,’ by those who pressed for it.

The report was presented to Glasgow Home Owners and Tenants’ Campaign on Wednesday 12 December by representatives of Michael Dyson Associates Ltd – the company commissioned by the Scottish Government to do the inspection.

They surveyed the exterior of 252 blocks and the interior of 465 properties for signs of defects or deficiences arising from the overcladding installations or re-roofing work or how that work was done. Their report states: ‘We have discovered no evidence of inherent defects within the over-cladding systems or re-roofing works which would give rise to dampness within the properties to which they were applied.’

However, they concluded that there were issues around condensation and mould growth ‘as a direct result of how moisture, ventilation and heating is managed in the properties.’

Said Campaign Chairman, Sean Clerkin: ‘It is an absolute insult to the people who live in these houses to put the blame on them. The company produced no evidence to support their contention instead they say “we believe” this is caused by people who live there.’

Subsequently to the formal presentation of the report, he and the  Campaign Committee discussed the findings at length. The Campaign is now advising home owners with dampness to consider action through a Cambuslang legal company, Duffy Toshner.

The Campaign will consider the report findings at their next regular meeting in Jurys Inn Hotel, Jamaica Street, Glasgow on Thursday 31 January 2013 at 7pm.

‘We would encourage all home owners affected by dampness following re-cladding or re-roofing, to come along and hear from Duffy Toshner who are as concerned as we are about these issues.’

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ‘The First Minister fulfilled his promise to the Campaign that an independent survey would be carried out to assess the work to home owner properties and we are satisfied that this has now been done.

“This is the third survey of the GHA overcladding and re-roofing works. All have confirmed that there are no issues with the overcladding specification or its application.

“We are satisfied that a robust independent survey was carried out which was technically correct and procured in accordance with Scottish Government procedures. Each of the stages of the survey was discussed in detail with the GHA and the Glasgow Home Owners and Tenants’ Campaign to ensure both parties were content with the approach taken.

“We fully appreciate the efforts from both and each co-operated fully. GHA owners and tenants are showing increasing levels of satisfaction with the investment programme.”

GHA’s Executive Director of Development and Regeneration, Alex McGuire, said: “The survey results speak for themselves. There are no inherent defects in the overcladding systems or re-roofing, and no dampness has been caused by any of the work done. We will continue to help and advise tenants and factored home owners who have a problem with condensation.”

The report recommended that all properties should be provided with adequate heating and ventilation and that individual residents should be advised on how to correctly manage moisture through the ventilation and heating within their homes.

However, Sean Clerkin commented: ‘The fight goes on. The report’s major weakness is that it does not give any number for the houses affected by condensation/dampness. That is what this whole issue is about. The report also notes that roof ventilation was not visible in some properties. We’ve pointed out properties where the ventilation was sealed in the course of the work to the building. Another worrying thing from the report is that during the inspection of ‘rainwater goods’ – gutters and the like – the surveyors noted places where guttering and down pipes were blocked or defective. They recommended speedy repair and regular maintenance to ensure this does not become a problem. But there was no quality control. However, the truth will out despite what I believe is a housing mafia trying to prevent it.’

Overcladding survey agreed

A major survey will be carried out on Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) factored and owned properties to check how effective re-cladding and re-roofing work has been.

A recent high level meeting with Government officials, GHA and the Glasgow Home Owners and Tenants Campaign agreed that such a survey should be carried out.

There have been many complaints from tenants and home owners as evidenced by this website. Re-roofing and overcladding work, once completed, has led to problems of dampness in particular, claim many householders.

A GHA spokesman said: ‘Two independent surveys have been carried out already. The last, by the Building Research Establishment, concluded that dampness found in a very small number of homes was caused by heating and ventilation issues and NOT because of the overcladding work. However, we are co-operating fully with the Scottish Government on a further sample survey and will address any issues identified.’

On behalf of the Home Owners and Tenants Campaign, Sean Clerkin said: ‘This shows that persistence pays. We’ve been campaigning for a survey for more than two years. It is the best possible deal for Glasgow home owners and tenants.’

He commented that had Ian Gray not run away from the Campaign people who lobbied him in Central Station, they would not have gone to Alex Salmond during the election campaign. ‘The First Minister is to be praised. He’s kept his word. Not many politicians do. He said during the campaign when he met us that he would support a survey of the overcladding and re-roofing work if he should be re-elected. And he’s done exactly that.’

 

 

Booze busters out to get the rogues

 

Tea was much in evidence at the launch of Glasgow’s booze busting campaign.

The location was the newsagent’s shop and general store in Yoker run by Mrs Nirmal Kaur and her husband Joe Singh who manages their in-store Post Office.

Mrs Kaur had set out a big pot of tea to welcome all her visitors who included Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson and Strathclyde Chief Constable Stephen House who instructed his officers to drink up while he was interviewed by a multitude of media.

The shop is at the forefront of the fight against Glasgow’s alcohol problem.

With a black belt in Karate, Mrs Kaur has floored an attacker with one action. ‘He got six months,’ she said. Other of her customers joke that they wouldn’t dream of trying to steal money or drink from her because she can ‘run faster’ than them. And she has a clutch of medals to prove that too.

She has no hesitation in asking for age ID and has a hot line to the local police office when anything unsavoury happens.

‘I’ve dealt with the public all my life,’ said Mrs Kaur. ‘My husband and I work seven days. And I don’t stand for any nonsense.’

From Saturday 1 October, none of the policing or public agencies will stand for nonsense either.

Strathclyde Police, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community and Safety Services, Glasgow Housing Association and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue have combined forces to deal more effectively with people whose drinking causes problems to others.

Co-ordinated enforcement measures will be meted out by a dedicated Alcohol Task Force.

Information on problem premises, retailers and people will be shared with tough action promised.

A new community payback scheme is being discussed with the Procurator Fiscal to ensure that people who commit alcohol related offences carry out work in the communities they’ve abused.

Any person or place involved in alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour will meet a Zero Tolerance attitude from all the agencies.

And tenants who cause problems or whose children cause problems will be given one month to change their behaviour or they could be evicted.

Said Councillor Matheson: ‘Ordinary decent people – including the vast majority of the licensed trade – are fed up with the misery caused by booze and we are standing up for them. Whether it’s parents who have no idea what their children are up to at night, or shopkeepers who sell alcohol to kids, or people at the weekend who make a fool of themsleves in Glasgow after binge drinking – they need to take responsibility for their actions and they’ve got a month to change their ways. Then we’re cracking down on them.’

Chief Constable House said: ‘Through a multi-agency group we’ve set up, we will gather every available bit of intelligence on the people who are causing misery so that we can take swift action against them. We will work with those who act responsibly and punish those who don’t.’

Among the new ideas worked out by the Booze Busters group are:

Chill Out Hour which will permit certain pubs and clubs to stay open for an extra hour on Fridays and Saturdays to sell hot food, play softer, calming music and dispense only soft drinks and water so that patrons are fitter and in a better frame of mind to go home.

SOS Bus to provide first aid, be a refuge for lost people and a resting place for those who are too drunk to go anywhere. Street Pastors will also be on duty to give pastoral care.

And there is a firm commitment to crack down on the social media services which deliver alcohol to customers at any time of night. Said a spokesman: ‘We will track them. We will target them and we will arrest the people who run them, especially if they are selling to under age people.’

 

 

 

Asbestos fears not quelled despite assurances

 

There has been absolutely NO risk of asbestos in work done recently in the Walkinshaw Street area of the city’s East End.

That is what both Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and the national Health and Safety Executive emphasise. But local residents are still upset and unwilling to accept the reassurances offered.

Refuse chutes are being removed from inside the four storey blocks. On the top level a patch of ceiling has been removed to facilitate the extraction of the head of the chute. Where work has been completed, that area has been plastered over. When this website reporter visited the site on Monday 29 August, four blocks still had the patch open and unplastered, revealing ragged edges on what might have been plasterboard. (see photograph) The fragmenting of the ceiling materials leaves local people fearful that asbestos particles in the artex ceiling coating may have been released. 

The GHA spokesman said: ‘We can reassure all residents there was absolutely no asbestos risk during the removal of the refuse chutes. The contractor carried out a full risk assessment ahead of starting the work. The work carried out, complied fully with all health and safety regulations. The Health and Safety Executive also visited the site and was satisfied the work was being carried out safely. Since concerns have been raised with us, we are now writing to residents to reassure them they have no reason for concern during any of the work. The chute area was closed off to residents for a short time when the specialists were on site. Stringent air sampling tests were also carried out before and after the work and there was found to be no risk.’

Local resident John Couper who has been a steel erector and worked in Sellafield among other places where contamination is carefully monitored, said: ‘Asbestos dust is like a microscopic fish hook which, if breathed in, can hook into your lungs and never go away. It might be years later before it shows up.’

His neighbour Bobby McWilliams releated how he saw workmen with an unmarked van pulling a closed container in the area. ‘There was nothing untoward about that. There are workmen here a lot. I saw them removed sheeting and took a photograph of the mess they left on the floor. Later I saw one of them use a domestic type vacuum to hoover up a lot of dust.’

A pilot scheme, which preceded the work done on the bulk of the buildings, was observed by Jim White. ‘I thought they were very slow, only doing one landing a day. But if they were extracting asbestos they would have been slow because they were taking time to do a specialist job.’

Said Community Council Chairman, John Henderson, who chaired a local residents’ meeting on June 30: ‘My wife has a lung condition COPD. I’ve had to take her to stay with our daughter for six days while this work went on. We got fifteen minutes notice of the work starting.. Quite apart from the dust and stoor I am really concerned because the ceiling in these buildings is artex. That has an asbestos element. There was no mention of asbestos at the public meeting. The whole thing is unreal. And should not have happened. We should have been told what the outcome was of the tests in the pilot study and if there was nothing to worry about that should have been stated then. As it was, asbestos was never mentioned.’

An active trade unionist who has often seen contaminated material being disposed of in regulation red bags in an industrial setting, Mr Henderson said: ‘ I saw a red bag with a lot of stuff in it being carried out of my close by a man wearing a heavy respiratory mask. The contractor told me the next day that the asbestos removers were working ahead of his workforce.’

A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said: ‘After being contacted by a local resident, HSE inspectors carried out a site visit to the Walkinshaw Street flats on 24 August. During this visit, Inspectors were satisfied that there was a safe system of work in place for the removal of asbestos.’

But Mr Henderson concluded: ‘I would like to see the details of the test results, which company did them and when the samples were taken and where they were taken from. I’m not letting this go.’

 

 

Maryhill being transformed

Work has started to transform Maryhill Locks through the Transformational Regeneration Area (TRA) team.

 

City Building apprentices involved were visited by Maryhill & Springburn MSP Patricia Ferguson , Maryhill Councillor, Lord Provost Bob Winter and local MP Ann McKechin to mark the beginning of the project.

The aim is to create affordable housing for rent and for sale alongside community, business, leisure and retail spaces in a high-quality environment.

Partners involved are Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government, Glasgow Housing Association and Maryhill Housing Association.

Commenting on the site start Patricia Ferguson said: ‘This is a great step forward in the ongoing regeneration of Maryhill. I am delighted that this project is not only offering the chance of new homes and facilities for local people but is also offering local youngsters the chance of learning new skills through apprenticeships with City Building. I hope it won’t be too long until I am welcoming constituents into their new homes and new business ihere.’

Lord Provost Bob Winter, Chair of the Maryhill TRA added: ‘The work at Maryhill Locks is the latest phase in the regeneration of Maryhill and the north of the city and will transform the area and attract business and visitors to Maryhill.’

Asbestos fears in refurbishment work

Allegations that workers and tenants were in contact with asbestos which was disturbed during re-furbishment work by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) contractors, are being investigated by this website.

Said Glasgow City Councillor, Billy McAllister: ‘I’m checking this out. If it is true, it is very serious and not an issue that can be ignored.’  He later confirmed he had spoken to individuals who were able to confirm the allegations but were not able to do so publicly.

Local MSP Bob Doris also told this website:  ‘I have been representing a number of constituents in relation to how Glasgow Housing Association has conducted asbestos management in their properties during improvement works recently. These constituents do not wish to be named and have asked that their confidentiality is respected. The cases all relate to a specific area of Maryhill.  To date, my constituents have not been satisfied by the responses from GHA. As a result, I intend making the new Scottish Housing Minister, Keith Brown, aware of these concerns with a view to the possibility of an external review of GHA’s procedures for asbestos management. I believe it would also be appropriate to make the Health and Safety Executive aware of these matters. My preference is to work constructively with GHA to improve their asbestos management and provide my constituents with the reassurance they need. I have already conveyed my concerns direct to the GHA on a number of occasions.’

The area where this is alleged to have happened is in the Summerston district of Maryhill. Some of those affected would appear to have been sworn to silence with a £200,000 agreement.

Work on fitting new kitchens and bathrooms took place in the area some time ago.

But Sean Clerkin, chair of Glasgow Home Owners’ Campaign said: ‘If anyone, anywhere in the city, thinks they may have been exposed to asbestos during refurbishment work, we want to hear from you!’  The number to phone is: 07948 010959.

GHA spokesperson said: “The health and safety of our tenants, factored homeowners and staff is an absolute priority and we have rigorous asbestos safety measures in place. All appropriate measures are taken to remove any risk of customers and staff being exposed to asbestos where it is present and likely to be disturbed by improvement works. As long as it is not disturbed or broken, asbestos is not a danger and this is the reason GHA  always takes great care to ensure health and safety risk  assessments and method statements are submitted to us, where required, before any work is carried out.

‘If asbestos work is required in a home, the work is carried out by fully-trained professionals using the proper safety equipment. The Health and Safety Executive recently inspected our asbestos removal procedures and confirmed they worked well. We are happy to work with any elected member to address any outstanding concerns they may have over our safety procedures.’

It is ironic these allegations surface in the week when Scottish Government legislation to safeguard people whose health has been affected by asbestos, comes into force.

Children launch outdoor gym

Children in three Glasgow primary schools gave a new playpark a good work out on Monday. The outdoor gym at Dover Street in Charing Cross, was formally opened by Alistair Campbell, 10, from Anderston Primary; Shileas Nicgriogair, 8, from the Glasgow Gaelic School and Elisha Lal, 5, from St Patrick’s RC school who, together, cut the ribbon.

They and their class mates were the first to try out the new multi-purpose games court and play area which has been in informal use for several weeks.

Equipment enables users to do sit ups, leg and chest presses and play football, hockey, basketball and netball on the synthetic games surface.

This is the 57th play area to be built since 2005 as part of the Play Area Improvement Programme run by Glasgow City Council in partnership with Glasgow Housing Association (GHA). Additional funding for this project was provided by the Central and West Community Planning Partnership.

GHA’s West Area Director, Jacqueline Norwood, said: “Our partnership with the Council to build play parks has brought a real boost to dozens of communities over the past six years. Children can play safely and keep fit at the same time. The play areas are also a great way for the youngsters and parents from different backgrounds and cultures to mix.”

Local Councillor Philip Braat, who instigated this project, said: “I fought long and hard to get this play area up and running. I am absolutely delighted with what we have here now. It is a wonderful illustration of how a community, working together, can secure significant improvements and create a community space which is tailored to their needs. Everyone involved should be very proud of what they have achieved in making Dover Street/Kent Road greenspace what it is today – a fantastic resource for the community to enjoy for many years to come.”

The children were entertained by Bubbles the clown and a football session put on by A&M Training, a project part funded by GHA which tackles youth disorder, racism and gang violence through football and dance classes.

Overcladding problems being addressed

A three year battle to have a close inspection of structural work done by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) has been won by home owners.

Following an hour long meeting with the Scottish Government’s Housing Minister, Keith Brown, the Glasgow Home Owners’ Campaign has been assured that an independent, detailed, technical survey of the work will be carried out.

The owners, who are obliged to have GHA as their factor because their homes were previously Glasgow City Council properties, have complained that overcladding and re-roofing work has been below standard. They have to pay for the work and have complained vigorously since the various re-furbishment programmes started across the city, that the shoddy workmanship has resulted in dampness, leaky roofs and structural problems.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: ‘Keith Brown, Minister for Housing and Transport recently held a positive and constructive meeting with the Glasgow Homeowners’ Campaign to discuss their request for an independent survey to take place on GHA owners’ properties.

“The Minister has agreed that an independent survey should be undertaken and consequently, the Scottish Government, in conjunction with the Glasgow Housing Association, will convene a meeting shortly to determine the procurement, nature and scope of the survey.’

GHA’s Executive Director of Regeneration and Development Alex McGuire said: ‘We’ll co-operate fully with the Scottish Government on the survey on homeowners’ properties.’

Commented Sean Clerkin, Chairman of the Glasgow Home Owners’ Campaign: ‘This is good news for homeowners and tenants. Once the full extent of the defective work is seen and providing it is corrected as quickly as possible, a housing and health timebomb will be averted.’

The Campaign members have built up a bank of evidence showing that in properties from tower blocks to four in a block to stand alone homes of ex council housing stock, overcladding has resulted in dampness inside homes, re-roofing has resulted in water coming in and other improvement work has been below acceptable standard. Many had refused to pay for the work and feared the health of the people living in the damp infested properties in particular, would suffer. Campaign meetings in the Jurys Inn Hotel in Jamaica Street are regularly attended by around 150-200 owners who have banded together as the stress of fighting their individual complaints alone, has been telling on them.

Next Page »