Latest news with #WilliaminaRylance
The Courier
03-05-2025
- General
- The Courier
Residents' backlash forces u-turn on secret Monifieth Raac report
A grandmother living with Raac says she hopes Angus Council is 'starting to listen' after a residents' backlash reversed a plan to consider the future of their homes in secret. Councillors were due to consider an options report for houses in Monifieth's Milton Street in private. The authority has 25 houses there which were built in the 1960s using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). However, there are also around 50 privately-owned properties in the street which could contain the potentially dangerous material. Council bosses have now confirmed the options appraisal will be heard in public after a backlash from residents. It will recommend the Milton Street council houses are fitted with replacement flat timber roofs. The houses are the only element of the council's 7,770-unit housing stock where Raac was discovered. However, the council has ruled out compulsory purchase of private homes. It has promised council tenants 'one-on-one meetings, clear communication and regular updates'. Grandmother Williamina Rylance previously condemned the decision to mark the options report as exempt. She now intends to tune into Thursday's full council meeting, but says questions remain. 'I'm glad they seem to be starting to listen, but it should never have come to the situation where they had to backtrack,' she said. 'Why is it that we really have to shout from the rooftops to be heard? 'Where is their duty of care to the people who have to live with this and who it is causing so much stress for?' She has already said the worry of the Raac situation has led her to decide not to have her grandchildren visit her home. Williamina added: 'I'm glad it will be discussed in public. 'The idea of repairing or supporting the Raac panels would never have done anyone any good. 'But I'm not overly thrilled that we're not going to be having pitched roofs, you hear so much about flat roofs causing problems. 'There are also so many homeowners that I don't know how it is all going to work. 'I know I'm sounding sceptical, but I just think they're making promises they're not going to fulfil.' An Angus Council spokesperson said: 'Following feedback from affected residents, the main body of the paper referring to Raac was moved to a public report.' But the potential costs of the preferred option will remain under wraps, for now. 'The commercial aspects around the anticipated costs of the options presented (were) removed to a separate exempt appendix,' added the council. The step was taken because the information is commercially sensitive prior to seeking tenders for the work. 'Putting this financial information in the public domain may give an advantage to potential bidders seeking to enter into a contract with the council for works to be undertaken and prevent the council from obtaining best value,' the spokesperson said. The Courier has launched our Trapped by Raac campaign to press for the issue to be debated by government. We're asking readers to sign this petition to give them a voice and get the issue to parliament.
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.
The Courier
23-04-2025
- General
- The Courier
Monifieth gran living in Raac home fears for grandkids safety
A Monifieth grandmother living in a council property with Raac says she has stopped allowing her grandchildren to visit over fears for their safety. Williamina Rylance is one of the residents on Milton Street who is living in a house which has been found to have been built using the concrete. The lightweight construction material was commonly used in floors, walls and roofs across Scotland between the 1950s and 1990s. However, concerns over its limited lifespan have prompted fears of structural collapses in extreme cases if water gets through cracks. And this has left Williamina fearing the worst. The 59-year-old said: 'I'm really depressed and anxious with this. 'It is eating me up constantly and it impacts my mental health every day. 'I don't have my grandkids (over) now because I am worried. They are all boys aged between six and 13 and it's in the case they jump about. 'My whole living room- bar one panel – is bowed and I'm worried the vibration could make it worse.' She added: 'My housing inspector said I could put in for a mutual exchange but I did laugh. 'Firstly, I would not want to out anybody in the same position I'm in and secondly, no one is going to swap me. 'I don't think the council will be helpful in getting things done any time soon. I think it will be on a needs must situation. 'I don't want their sympathy, I just want information that shows they are getting something done.' 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. Angus Council's housing committee is due to meet on Thursday to discuss an options appraisal report on what work could be carried out on properties with Raac. However, the press and public are likely to be excluded from viewing the debate due to the report containing 'exempt information'. Williamina has called on the local authority to be transparent with tenants and homeowners living in houses with Raac. She said: 'I want to hear the full truth and nothing but the truth. We know they are looking into it but tell us what your options are. 'There are bound the be contingency plans so tell us rather than saying there will be a meeting and hearing nothing for months. 'We need to know what is being discussed and we what they are thinking.'
The Courier
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Courier
'Scunnered' resident hits out at hidden Angus Council Raac report
A long-awaited report considering the options Angus Council could take to address the issue of Raac in their housing may be discussed in private. The local authority has previously said at least 26 publicly-owned flats and houses are known to be affected by Raac – the majority of which are on Milton Street in Monifieth. An options appraisal on what work Angus Council could carry out at these properties is due to go before the housing committee on Thursday. However, the report contains 'exempt information' as defined under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, meaning it will not be published publicly. Part one of the legislation covers 15 examples of information that can be spared from being published. This includes 'terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property'. The press and public may also be excluded from viewing the committee's discussions of the report during Thursday's meeting. This has angered one Milton Street resident, who has called on Angus Council to be open with locals over what could happen to their houses. Williamina Rylance, who lives in a council house on the street, said: 'I'm scunnered. 'I think the transparency side of things is shocking. 'We got a letter to say they have a meeting coming up on April 24 where everything will be discussed but they didn't tell us what they would discussing. 'That is really infuriating because I think we should be privy to what is going on. 'We are paying rent and council tax as council tenants in Milton Street and yet we can't be told what is happening to the houses. 'They need to be more upfront with what their plans are. Raac was commonly used in the construction industry between the 1950s and 1990s. However, concerns over its limited lifespan have prompted fears of structural collapses in extreme cases if water gets through cracks. 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.
