The following letter was sent to the leadership of Clackmannanshire Council to request accompanied access and the removal of valuable items for displaced homeowners.
Dear Councillor Ellen Forson - Leader of the Council, Councillor Donald Balsillie - Lord Provost, Councillor Jane McTaggart - Deputy Lord Provost, and Chief Executive Nikki Bridle,
I am writing to you today with the deepest concern for the homeowners in Tillicoultry who have been evacuated from their homes due to the presence of RAAC. My name is Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, and I am reaching out with a matter of urgency. Homeowners are currently coordinating with representatives of Clackmannanshire Council, primarily Wilson Lees, Homelessness and Supporting People Manager, to arrange the final collection of their remaining valuable items from their homes.
Firstly, I want to acknowledge the excellent job Wilson Lees is doing in liaising with the local residents, who were initially left without sufficient information. However, it remains a fact that these residents bought their homes unaware of the RAAC issue, which only came to light due to the diligence of one homeowner, not Clackmannanshire Council. This led to the two-hour notice evacuation of the properties for safety reasons and the condemnation of their former homes. Now, many are burdened with paying mortgages, rent at new properties, and standing charges for utilities.
I have already discussed the situation with three senior managers, including Mr. Lees, Murray Sharp - Senior Manager (Housing), and Andrew Buchanan - Housing Operations Manager. Struggling homeowners are pinning their hopes on Clackmannanshire Council elected members to make the right choice and offer a fair valuation for their homes based on pre-October decant dates. I sincerely hope this is the just decision your council will make, and I would appreciate hearing your views on this matter.
The most pressing need for these families is the retrieval of their remaining goods from their homes. However, they face a significant hurdle as many desired items are classified as fixtures and fittings, including storage heaters, wall-affixed electric heating, washing machines, fridges, and some wall-attached units, as well as items like blinds that are easy to remove. Mr. Lees has informed residents that most of these items cannot be removed. One woman, in particular, purchased a new, expensive Wren kitchen in January 2022, which will not be paid off until January 2025. The families and individuals are willing to pay for their own contractor or one provided by the council to remove these items if necessary, but they need permission.
The Housing team has declined this request at the moment. We appeal to you to undertake a realistic risk assessment to determine whether the buildings are safe enough for the removal of these items and to grant permission. These homes would still be inhabited had it not been for the private survey that resulted in the discovery of RAAC. The houses do not visibly show signs of collapse, and contractors have previously removed items without injury. If you refuse, I urge you to consider paying compensation for proven losses to alleviate the financial burden on these economically challenged residents in an area significantly featured in the indices of deprivation.
Your decision is crucial for the affected homeowners who are exhibiting signs of stress, anxiety, and depression. They desperately need your help as they face a crippling financial crisis, paying rent for temporary homes, mortgages for vacated properties, and council tax bills. Worse still, with the council still awaiting reports from councillors to determine the future of the affected properties, these residents will be caught in this financial debacle for many more months.
It is crucial to remember that real people are affected by these decisions. They risk losing their stable lives, life savings, homes, and the legacies they hoped to leave for future generations. Such a burden was never anticipated when these homeowners chose to buy a home from Clackmannanshire Council. We ask the council to act responsibly and morally, meeting the needs outlined in human rights legislation and both UK and national laws. Go above and beyond to help the citizens of Aberdeen who desperately need your support.
Please respond formally to this letter.
Regards,
Wilson Chowdhry
Chairman
UK RAAC Campaign Group
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