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The Courier
10-05-2025
- General
- The Courier
Monifieth Raac repair consultation to begin within days
Monifieth residents living with Raac are to be contacted within days in the first step towards ridding their homes of the dangerous material. It comes after councillors unanimously agreed a plan to remove reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) from 25 council houses in Milton Street. New flat roofs will be installed. The move was welcomed as a positive step for residents who discovered in 2023 their homes were affected. The Milton Street houses, built in the 1960s, were the only ones found to contain Raac after a survey of the council's 7,700 rented homes. However, housing chiefs have been unable to give council tenants a timeline for when they can expect their Raac nightmare to end. And questions remain around how the council repair scheme will work alongside nearly 50 privately-owned homes in the street. Council infrastructure director Graeme Dailly promised councillors the consultation will be carried out as quickly as possible. 'We want to do a comprehensive engagement, rather than meet a specific deadline,' he said. 'But what I can do is give an assurance it is very much people-focused; we realise the expectations here.' He added: 'We are looking to put a further letter out to the affected homes next week.' It will go to both council tenants and private owners. 'As we move forward, timescales might become clearer,' added Mr Dailly. 'We aim to keep local members, our housing committee and affected homeowners updated.' Monifieth and Sidlaw councillor Lloyd Melville said: 'Complete removal of the Raac is not only necessary for the future stability of the buildings, but for the peace of mind of all of the residents in the area. '(They have) faced such a traumatic and anxious period since the discovery of Raac some time ago. 'We've heard there is a real willingness to work with all of the residents. 'That will be done on an individual basis and that is really welcome because there is no one-size-fits-all approach.' He added: 'No two houses have the exact same circumstances. 'I think every one of us wants to see an approach that preserves the community of Milton Street. 'Let me pay tribute to those residents and their remarkable fortitude. People who have had to live with this terrible worry for a very long time.' The potential cost of the council house roof replacements was considered in private for reasons of commercial confidentiality. However, the options report recommending the flat roof solution was brought into the public domain after a residents' backlash. The Courier's Trapped by Raac campaign aims to help those affected by the crisis and have the issue debated by government. We're asking readers to sign this petition to give them a voice and get the issue to parliament.
The National
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Tommy Sheridan in court over case against Glasgow City Council
Lawyer Mike Dailly told judge Lord Young on Friday how the former politician was told this in a letter sent to him by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership staff. The Court of Session heard that Sheridan had applied to become a criminal justice social worker with the Glasgow City Council initiative. In his application, he disclosed to his prospective employers he had been given a three year prison sentence in 2011 for perjury - a jury at the High Court in Glasgow concluded that he had lied on oath during his successful defamation action against the News of the World newspaper. READ MORE: Holyrood toilet rule change slammed as 'exclusionary' by trans rights campaigners The court heard that social work bosses then sent him a letter in August 2024 telling him the conviction presented an 'unacceptable level of risk' to Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership. More communications to Sheridan told him that future applications for jobs with the organisation would not be 'progressed'. This has prompted Sheridan to instruct lawyers to go to Scotland's highest civil court in a bid to get Glasgow City Council to overturn its decision. On Friday, Dailly told Lord Young that the council had acted unlawfully in its decision to permanently exclude Sheridan from social work jobs with the local authority. He said that the body which regulates social work in Scotland - the Scottish Social Services Council - had assessed Sheridan as being a suitable candidate for working in the profession. Dailly said: 'It's a simple matter - the petitioner has been assessed as being a fit person for the profession by the statutory social work body. He has also been assessed as being suitable to work with children and younger people under the PVG scheme. 'The petitioner has been told he cannot be a social worker. However, the Scottish Parliament has allowed the SSSC the role and responsibility to determine who is a fit and proper person to be a social worker. 'The SSSC says the petitioner is a fit and proper person. I say the decision made by the council is irrational - it cannot say the petitioner cannot be a social worker.' Dailly was speaking during a judicial review brought by Sheridan to the Court of Session. He wants Lord Young to pass legal orders stating that Glasgow City Council's decision was 'unlawful' as it 'permanently excluded' him from working in social work at the local authority. The lawyer also wants the decision made by Glasgow City Council in relation to Sheridan's job application to be overturned. (Image: Picture: Colin Mearns) The former MSP posted online last summer about graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University after undertaking a two-year master's degree in social work. Sources say he has applied for jobs in the profession but is unable to secure a position. Sheridan used to lead the Scottish Socialist Party which won a number of seats at Holyrood in 1999 and 2003 before collapsing following his high-profile court case where he was accused of being a swinger. Since then he has remained involved in politics as a supporter of Scottish independence group Hope over Fear., Sheridan served as an MSP for Glasgow between 1999 and 2007. He took the News of the World to court in 2006, alleging it defamed him after reporting he was an adulterer who visited swingers' clubs. He netted £200,000 but he was later convicted of lying in court during this civil action, and was sentenced to three years in jail. He has attempted to appeal his conviction but judges have upheld it. On social media last summer he revealed his future plans in response to a suggestion that he should stand again as an MSP in 2026. He posted: "I just graduated as a professional social worker from Glasgow Caledonian University after a two-year masters degree so I am applying for jobs in that profession just now but who knows what will come to pass by 2026.' On Friday, Sheridan turned up to the court to observe proceedings with his wife Gail and daughter Gabrielle. They heard Glasgow City Council's lawyer Paul Reid KC tell the court that Glasgow City Council acted lawfully and were legally entitled to refuse employment to Sheridan. Speaking about the assessment made by the SSSC about Sheridan, he said: 'It is a registration. It does not confer an entitlement to employment. 'Registration with the Law Society of Scotland does not confer an entitlement to employment as a solicitor - and registration with the General Medical Council doesn't confer an entitlement to work as a doctor.' Reid said the decision made by Glasgow City Council was an 'employment decision' and couldn't be challenged by judicial review. Lord Young told the court that he wanted time to consider the legal issues which lawyers had highlighted. He said he'd issue his decision sometime in the near future. He added: 'Clearly, this is an important matter.'
Glasgow Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Tommy Sheridan in court over case against Glasgow City Council
Lawyer Mike Dailly told judge Lord Young on Friday how the former politician was told this in a letter sent to him by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership staff. The Court of Session heard that Mr Sheridan had applied to become a criminal justice social worker with the Glasgow City Council initiative. READ NEXT: 'Disgusting': Parents of tragic Kory McCrimmon fuming over sentence for son's killer READ NEXT: 'Beloved' founder of popular restaurant sadly dies In his application, he disclosed to his prospective employers he had been given a three year prison sentence in 2011 for perjury - a jury at the High Court in Glasgow concluded that he had lied on oath during his successful defamation action against the News of the World newspaper. The court heard that social work bosses then sent him a letter in August 2024 telling him the conviction presented an 'unacceptable level of risk' to Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership. More communications to Mr Sheridan told him that future applications for jobs with the organisation would not be 'progressed'. This has prompted Mr Sheridan to instruct lawyers to go to Scotland's highest civil court in a bid to get Glasgow City Council to overturn its decision. On Friday, Mr Dailly told Lord Young that the council had acted unlawfully in its decision to permanently exclude Mr Sheridan from social work jobs with the local authority. He said that the body which regulates social work in Scotland - the Scottish Social Services Council - had assessed Mr Sheridan as being a suitable candidate for working in the profession. Mr Dailly said: 'It's a simple matter - the petitioner has been assessed as being a fit person for the profession by the statutory social work body. He has also been assessed as being suitable to work with children and younger people under the PVG scheme. 'The petitioner has been told he cannot be a social worker. However, the Scottish Parliament has allowed the SSSC the role and responsibility to determine who is a fit and proper person to be a social worker. 'The SSSC says the petitioner is a fit and proper person. I say the decision made by the council is irrational - it cannot say the petitioner cannot be a social worker.' Mr Dailly was speaking during a judicial review brought by Mr Sheridan to the Court of Session. He wants Lord Young to pass legal orders stating that Glasgow City Council's decision was 'unlawful' as it 'permanently excluded' him from working in social work at the local authority. The lawyer also wants the decision made by Glasgow City Council in relation to Mr Sheridan's job application to be overturned. (Image: Picture: Colin Mearns) The former MSP posted online last summer about graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University after undertaking a two-year master's degree in social work. Sources say he has applied for jobs in the profession but is unable to secure a position. Mr Sheridan used to lead the Scottish Socialist Party which won a number of seats at Holyrood in 1999 and 2003 before collapsing following his high-profile court case where he was accused of being a swinger. Since then he has remained involved in politics as a supporter of Scottish independence group Hope over Fear., Mr Sheridan served as an MSP for Glasgow between 1999 and 2007. He took the News of the World to court in 2006, alleging it defamed him after reporting he was an adulterer who visited swingers' clubs. He netted £200,000 but he was later convicted of lying in court during this civil action, and was sentenced to three years in jail. He has attempted to appeal his conviction but judges have upheld it. On social media last summer he revealed his future plans in response to a suggestion that he should stand again as an MSP in 2026. He posted: "I just graduated as a professional social worker from Glasgow Caledonian University after a two-year masters degree so I am applying for jobs in that profession just now but who knows what will come to pass by 2026.' On Friday, Mr Sheridan turned up to the court to observe proceedings with his wife Gail and daughter Gabrielle. They heard Glasgow City Council's lawyer Paul Reid KC tell the court that Glasgow City Council acted lawfully and were legally entitled to refuse employment to Mr Sheridan. Speaking about the assessment made by the SSSC about Mr Sheridan, he said: 'It is a registration. It does not confer an entitlement to employment. 'Registration with the Law Society of Scotland does not confer an entitlement to employment as a solicitor - and registration with the General Medical Council doesn't confer an entitlement to work as a doctor.' Mr Reid said the decision made by Glasgow City Council was an 'employment decision' and couldn't be challenged by judicial review. Lord Young told the court that he wanted time to consider the legal issues which lawyers had highlighted. He said he'd issue his decision sometime in the near future. He added: 'Clearly, this is an important matter.'
The Courier
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
New roofs plan for 25 Angus Council houses affected by Raac
Angus Council is considering replacing the roofs on 25 Raac-affected homes in Monifieth. But the authority has ruled out the compulsory purchase of almost 50 privately owned houses in the town's Milton Street. And the potential cost of removing and replacing the potentially dangerous panels is being kept secret. The council properties are the only ones in the authority's stock of 7,700 homes to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). It was discovered during an inspection in 2023 after concerns emerged nationwide around the risk of Raac to homeowners. An options report will go before a special meeting of the full Angus Council next week. It had been due to be considered behind closed doors on Tuesday. The decision to discuss the plans in secret was described by Milton Street resident Williamina Rylance as 'shocking'. The 59-year-old says the Raac situation has left her too worried to let her grandchildren visit. The Raac discussion was delayed by a change in the council administration after the minority SNP administration was dumped from power. Angus infrastructure director Graeme Dailly reveals five options were considered for the Milton Street council houses. These were: Mr Dailly said the new flat roof option scored 'significantly higher' than the other appraisal options. 'This would completely remove the risks associated with Raac and create a new roof insulated to current standards and with a new finish which could last for c.40 years,' he said. Mr Dailly has promised council tenants will receive 'one-on-one meetings, clear communication and regular updates'. The Monifieth development was completed in 1966. The plan will also involve talks with neighbouring private owners. Letters were previously sent to private householders advising them to seek advice on the potential presence of Raac. Their properties were sold under right to buy, either by Dundee District Council prior to reorganisation in 1996, or Angus Council. Mr Dailly confirmed a letter which has already gone out to Milton Street residents had informed them the compulsory purchase of privately owned homes is not being explored. 'We understand the uncertainty and concern for those affected,' he said. 'We are committed to keeping residents fully informed and supported throughout as we work towards a solution.' However, the cost of the replacement roofs for the council housing is being kept secret. It is contained in a private report to be considered alongside the options appraisal on Thursday May 8. Mr Dailly adds: 'It should be noted that there is currently no specific budget identified for Raac-related works. 'As of March 2025, there has been no funding identified by the Scottish Government to support such work.' The Courier has launched our Trapped by Raac campaign to help those affected by the burgeoning crisis and have the issue debated by government. We're asking readers to sign this petition to give them a voice and get the issue to parliament.
