Ayr residents accuse council of running scared

Aug 6 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

Ayr residents accuse council of running scared

BATTLING residents are pledging to win their fight for home improvements.

And they’ve challenged South Ayrshire Council to stop hiding from the problems on an Ayr housing scheme.

The residents of Ross Street, who turned to the Ayrshire Post for help last week, claim the council are being shamed into responding.

But they say the local authority has refused a public meeting with them – fearing the Post may attend.

Janet Murphy, chairman of the tenants’ group, said: “We had a public meeting scheduled with them for August 18 at Lochside.

“But after we came to the paper last week, the council got in touch to say they won’t be sending certain people if the Ayrshire Post turn up.

“They seem to be scared that the truth will come out – and now they want us to go elsewhere and meet them in private.

“That doesn’t seem fair to us. All they’ll try and do is baffle us with big words, but we’re not stupid and know exactly what’s going on here.”

Ayr MSP John Scott toured some of the houses in Ross Street this week and admitted to being horrified at their state.

And he’s demanding the council get their own house in order before the residents are left to rot.

Mr Scott said: “Clearly there are serious problems with many of the properties in Ross Street.

“Notwithstanding the financial constraints on the council, the state of repair of many of the properties in Ross Street is obviously unacceptable, particularly given the potential health hazards posed by dampness and mould.

“While it may be that full modernisation of these properties cannot take place until the next financial year, urgent repair work must be undertaken in the meantime to deal with those defects that may pose a threat to the health of the tenants and I will be making that case forcibly to the council.”

But the council insists it’s working hard on improvements – and denies running scared of a public showdown.

Kenny Leinster, head of housing, said: “After working alongside the tenants and residents to establish their association we have had a lot of contact with the group and will continue to do so.

“As part of our continuing process of listening to the residents we will be meeting with them on a regular basis, as we do with all tenants associations – these are private meetings.

“The residents association has arranged its first open public meeting on August 18 and officers will be there along with anyone else who chooses to attend.

“We are committed to working with tenants groups across South Ayrshire to continue to improve our service and enhance the quality of homes.”