Latest news with #CityProperty
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
No action taken over Glasgow City Halls roof fans despite promise
The Glasgow Times previously reported, however, more than two years later there has still been no planning application for the air coolers which are connected to the building's air conditioning system and are understood to be taller than the previous fans. READ NEXT: This Glasgow building installed fans without permission - and people aren't happy (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) A search for the City Halls on the council's planning portal shows the last time planning permission was sought for the building was for roof repairs in 2021, with no mention of the fans. A spokesperson for Glasgow Life, which rents the building from City Property, says the fans are a 'like-for-like' replacement to the previous coolers but that they, along with Glasgow City Council, are looking into 'potential remedial works' to mitigate the noise of the fans. A council spokesperson also confirmed it is the case 'that a Planning Authority cannot take enforcement action against itself'. City Property, who has owned the building since 2019, is the council-owned property firm. READ NEXT: Parent says 'many factors' contributing to rise in home education (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) Peter Hayman, who lives in Merchant City near the Halls, says the noise from the fans when they are turned on in warm weather can be 'intrusive' and previously described them in an email to the council as 'ranging between an annoying background hum to an intrusive, oppressive roar'. Mr Hayman submitted a complaint to the council about the fans in February of this year. He received an Interim Planning Impact Report dated April 24 which listed planning history as two applications from 2021 which do not reference the new fans and then gave an assessment that 'new ownership issues were required' and he would receive a response in the next seven days. At the time of writing more than 40 days later, he has still not received a further response, but a City Property spokesperson confirmed to the Glasgow Times it still owns the building but says as Glasgow Life manages and operates it, they cannot comment on the fans. (Image: Archive) Mr Hayman said: 'The Interim Planning Impact Report that said they were trying to find out who owns the building just seems to be a way of wasting time. 'I've had no response since then.' Dr Eileen Mills, who also lives in Merchant City, highlights an email sent by a council official to the Scottish Government in September 2023 stated: "I can confirm that we, as the relevant Planning Authority, in liaison with colleagues in Glasgow Life, will be ensuring that the necessary consents are in place." She said: 'I feel if a commitment has been made that the local planning authority would be ensuring the necessary consents were in place, then that should be honoured. 'Just to say they can't enforce their own ALEOs [Arm's Length External Organisation], does that mean the council can do anything without limit?' A Glasgow Life spokesperson said: 'In collaboration with colleagues at Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life is continuing to assess the issues associated with the like-for-like replacement cooler unit at the City Halls in order to identify any potential remedial works that may be required to mitigate the noise of the roof fans.' A council spokesperson added: 'Discussions between the council's planning team are continuing to discuss how they can best mitigate the noise of the roof fans, and the action required to achieve that.'
The Herald Scotland
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
LGBTQ+ 'safe space' centre could be opened in Glasgow
Councillor Aitken was responding to queries from trans councillor Elaine Gallagher who asked what the council was doing to uphold duties to protect rights in light of a 'culture war and hostile anti LGBTQ+ environment.' Speaking at last week's council meeting, Councillor Aitken said 'recent legal decisions and public discourse have only intensified the pressure and fear that many trans people are feeling. And I absolutely recognise that this is not just political, it is personal, it is painful and it has real consequences for people's safety, dignity and rights.' She added: 'I'm determined that the council will be an ally and will act.' Pointing out the work of an LGBTQ+ Forum, she said: 'A sub group of the forum is exploring the creation of a physical LGBTQ+ hub in Glasgow, a safe inclusive space for community building, support and celebration. 'Discussions with City Property and partners are ongoing and the energy and commitment from community members involved in the process has been really encouraging.' Read More Glasgow Pride criticised over ties to Israel-linked companies Commenting on LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, she said: 'We also continue to prioritise inclusive education. Our partnership with the TIE campaign is helping ensure our schools are places where all young people including trans and non binary pupils feel safe, seen and supported from professional development for staff to city wide events like Ally and PrideLite this work sends a clear message I hope to our young people – you belong here. ' Scottish Greens councillor Gallagher was questioning whether the council was continuing to roll out actions from a council motion in 2023, which agreed to help guard the rights of transgender and non-binary people. She asked if councillor Aitken agreed that the 'interim non statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was rushed, contradictory, discriminatory and politically motivated.' Concurring, the SNP leader branded the guidance as 'entirely rushed.' Released after the Supreme Court ruling, the EHRC guidance says in places like hospitals, shops and restaurants trans women should not be allowed to use women's facilities. Laying out the council's stance, councillor Aitken said: 'We are certainly in no rush in this council to make any changes. I have discussed it with the chief executive and our existing approach is the approach that will continue. We obviously await guidance from the Scottish Government. 'We are a public body and we have to abide by the law but I am absolutely determined that we will do so in a way that is inclusive, respectful and supports the dignity and personhood of everyone who either works in or uses or public buildings or our service and particularly trans and non binary people.'
