In early 2000 I was the principle of a large construction company carrying out many types of contract. After being mugged by Renfrewshire Council for a 1.9 million pound refurbishment grant earmarked for the Grade B Listed (with prominence) Ranfurly Castle Terrace, in Bridge of Weir, I was contemplating a legal battle with the afore mentioned council just as the refurbishment of one of Renfrewshire’s grandest buildings was coming to an end.
Remarkably Renfrewshire Council asked me to tender for a 3 year remedial works program, I was skeptical of why they asked me to tender however I did and won the contract. After 13 months I had a meeting with Renfrewshire Council due to the council’s interference. Surveys were coming back from the quantity surveyors contracted to ensure costs were correct. I refused to change certain wording used to describe the condition of the property’s being surveyed, seemingly Renfrewshire Council did not like the term, unfit for habitation.
I was asked to reconsider my decision in regards to terminating the contract and was reminded the contract value was 2.5 million pounds over a 3 year period. I explained I was unhappy at the interference by Renfrewshire Council who had instructed the contracts quantity surveyors to sent back surveys if the term UNFIT FOR HABITATION was used on a report. This happened regularly, however reports were changed if the council showed a schedule of planned repairs with an imminent start date that would remedy the problems.
On refusing to alter 13 surveys, if my memory is correct, all of which the properties were in a terrible state of repair. I was told that I didn’t understand that the term UNFIT FOR HABITATION would put the council in breach of the law, it was illegal for the council to have tenants inhabit such dwellings. I was also told that I didn’t understand the implications of dealing with the complexities of decanting OAPs showing signs of senile dementia. The council would have to involve the social work and the courts etc, even claiming the disturbance could be enough to kill some of the weaker OAPs affected.
I explained this was not my problem and that my only concern was the survey report was accurate. I also explained to the council I found it hard to sleep at night thinking about their tenants who were in the main in Senior OAPs who lived in squalid conditions and cried for help some even begged me for help complaining their homes were cold and damp with foul smells, normally from the mould and dampness within their home.
The council suggested if my conscience bothered me then they would get another firm to resurvey these properties, regardless no action would be taken. I felt sick; I realized what mattered to the council the most was the appearance of running a clean ship, not actually having a clean ship, if you will pardon the pun. I picked a few choice words to call them and left the meeting.I went to a major newspaper with the story shortly afterwards around 2002, who did include some of my findings. Since that day my life has never been the same.
Part two of this article will show just how malicious Renfrewshire Council were and still are!
I believe every word you say, the council housing in Renfrewshire is a disgrace, including arms length bodies such as Linstone Housing Associations, tenant housing stock.
ReplyDeleteI hope you stand again at the next elections for MSP or even as a Renfrewshire Councillor.
I saw your trailer outside the Renfrewshire Council headquarters.
It is unbelievable that they operated an illegal Housing Policy for twenty years, in doing so discriminated against homeless people.
It is incredible the Police or the Scottish Parliament have not done anything about this as yet, what’s happening will you tell us what’s going down.
Mr Miller, Houston, PA6