Latest news with #TrappedByRaac
The Courier
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Dundee council leader admits communication with Raac residents must improve
The leader of Dundee City Council admits communication must improve with Raac residents after a controversial £500,000 pilot scheme began without consultation. Mark Flynn told The Courier that messaging around the project had not been 'ideally' handled after homeowners were hit with unexpected bills nearing £7,000. Menzieshill residents were given only a few days' notice that the scheme would begin on their properties after Dundee City Council sent out letters addressed to 'the owner'. Campaigners believe the pilot scheme itself is flawed as it doesn't remove the defective concrete, instead putting in support structures underneath it. Speaking exclusively to The Courier, Mr Flynn said: 'The pilot scheme wasn't put across, I would say, ideally, that's for sure, and that's been noted. 'I think it's important that we actually make sure we're communicating better going forward. 'I think it's important that we have that dialogue in advance of anything happening. 'Making sure everyone is aware of what's happening and why, and I think that's a really important part of this.' Mr Flynn's comments come amid tensions over a disputed Scottish Government meeting minute which claimed council chief executive Greg Colgan directed his officers not to proactively engage with Raac-affected residents to 'limit liability'. Mr Colgan has emphatically denied that any such approach has been taken. Mr Flynn was not present at the meeting in question and could not comment on the veracity of the minutes. However, the council leader assured Raac residents they could get in touch with himself or other councillors with any concerns or issues they have. 'I've said to my colleagues in the chamber, the 29 of us, that my door is always open,' said the council leader. 'And it's always open to people who have issues like this. 'Whether you talk to the housing convener and deputy convener, or you come straight to myself, I'm more than happy. 'I'm here to represent the people of the city and I'm here to listen as well.' The council leader has recently contacted the Dundee Raac Campaign Group to try and organise a meeting. However, he remains certain that any long-term financial solution to solving the crisis must come from the government. 'I've got in touch recently, in the last few days, with the Raac group, to invite them in to have a conversation about the difficulties they're having but also a solution to what we can achieve and what we can do locally,' said Mr Flynn. 'But the bigger picture is the UK Government and the Scottish Government have got to do this.' Through our Trapped By Raac campaign, The Courier is calling for all levels of government to come together and help find a solution for homeowner and tenants living with the defective concrete.
The Courier
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Courier
'Urgency vital' for Dundee Raac campaigners as petition reaches 5k milestone
More than 5,000 people have signed a petition to give Dundee and Angus Raac campaigners a voice at Westminster. Yvette Hoskins, vice-chair of the Dundee Raac Campaign Group, has spoken of the urgent need for more people to put their name to the appeal over the next three weeks. Despite the milestone number, homeowners and tenants need to almost double it by June 17. You can help make a difference by signing the petition here. Yvette told The Courier: 'The urgency of signatures is a vital step towards making a difference. 'To secure the sustainability and safety of the homes for Raac homeowners so their homes are there for many years to come. 'To stop homeowners from financial ruin and displacement.' The campaigner said homeowners across Scotland, including almost 900 in Dundee, had 'unfairly' been Trapped By Raac – the name of The Courier's campaign to support those affected by the concrete crisis. She pleaded with more people to sign up. 'Together, the communities of Dundee and surrounding areas, along with Scotland, can make a key difference in the survival of homeowners who have the basic right to a safe and secure home,' said Yvette. 'Please sign the petition and become part of a national crisis where Raac is affecting thousands of residents in Dundee and Monifieth along with other areas of Scotland. 'Many are families with young children, along with the elderly, and everyone in between. 'Thousands have already signed the petition, it's sitting at just over 5,200 but we need more. 'Help us have a voice, to be heard, and to make a difference.' Yvette spoke of the mental and physical toll the crisis has had on her and others. In an interview with The Courier, First Minister John Swinney admitted Raac homeowners would be facing 'enormous anxiety'. Yvette said: 'No homeowner wants to face losing their home now or in the future – especially when the fault is not their own and lies elsewhere. 'The stress and mental anxiety of dealing with Raac is immense. 'Homeowners' health is being affected by being in this position through no fault of their own.'
The Courier
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Raac homeowners in Dundee facing 'enormous anxiety' admits John Swinney
First Minister John Swinney admits Raac homeowners in Dundee face 'enormous anxiety' as he committed his government to working with residents. Speaking exclusively to The Courier, Mr Swinney said discussions were underway with both Westminster and local authorities over the issue. Dundee has the most Raac-affected residential properties in Scotland with nearly 900 homes containing the defective concrete. Dozens more have been confirmed in Monifieth. Mr Swinney believes all levels of government will need to work together on a solution. The Courier is asking people to sign this petition to help give homeowners and tenants a voice. 'I've got every sympathy with people who find themselves in this situation where they're dealing with Raac issues in the property,' said the first minister. 'It will obviously cause enormous anxiety for them.' When asked if his Westminster colleagues would be raising the issue, Mr Swinney said talks were already underway. He told The Courier: 'There have been discussions with the UK Government. 'There's obviously discussions with local authorities underway as well. 'So I'm certainly very happy to commit the Scottish Government to engaging in those discussions with other public authorities and with homeowners who are affected. 'I think it's important that all arms of government work together collaboratively to try to find solutions.' Housing Minister Paul McLennan recently confirmed he will meet residents in Dundee, though no date has been set. A major concern for homeowners is that any solution found at council level will not include them. Dundee City Council says private owners must deal with the situation themselves. Monifieth residents are waiting to hear if they will be included in any Angus Council efforts. Mr Swinney said: 'There's obviously complex issues to be wrestled with here because there's interactions with individual home ownership and that needs to be carefully worked through and managed. 'The best way to do that is by having an active dialogue between all different levels of government and discussing those issues with members of the public who are affected.' Last week, The Courier's Trapped By Raac campaign enlisted the help of local businesses who displayed posters directing people to the petition website. Campaigners need 10,000 signatures by June 17 to get a voice at Westminster.
