Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire – Displaced residents from Tillicoultry affected by the RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) crisis were left disheartened and angry after a recent Clackmannanshire Council meeting (8th November) intended to update them on housing and safety options. Having faced the trauma of evacuation from structurally compromised homes, months of difficult temporary accommodation, and an uncertain future, homeowners arrived hoping for support, answers, and a demonstration of empathy from council leaders. Unfortunately, the meeting only deepened their sense of being marginalized.
Wilson Chowdhry expressed concerns that the removal of Wilson Lees from their role in liaising with homeowners had undermined their position. He emphasized that, as previously agreed in meetings and through electronic correspondence with Murray Sharp, Wilson Lees, and Andrew Buchanan, one of the proposals should include a valuation of homeowners' properties based on their worth prior to the RAAC declaration.Mr. Wells confirmed that a pre-RAAC
declaration valuation would indeed be submitted as one proposal amongst many,
alongside an assessment of the impact on the council, homeowners, and other
stakeholders. He clarified that councillors would make a recommendation after
carefully considering all relevant factors, stating, “We cannot pre-empt the
councillors’ recommendation.”
During the meeting, Rebecca Doherty a homeowner became visibly emotional as she explained her struggles, breaking down while sharing the burden of paying both her mortgage and rent, alongside council tax for her new property. Her heartfelt plea for assistance in the form of a council tax discount left a powerful impact on those present. In response, Mr. Wells acknowledged the difficulty of her situation and advised that someone from the council would assess her case to determine what financial support could be offered. However, he clarified that due to strict regulations, a waiver for council tax was unlikely.
Seeing the broader implications for other homeowners in similar positions, Mr. Chowdhry intervened and requested that the same financial assessment be offered to all affected residents, which Mr. Wells agreed to. To facilitate this, contact details were exchanged, allowing council officers to reach out directly to homeowners for further assistance.
Mr. Chowdhry requested an opportunity for public participation at the upcoming Full Council meeting where the options report would be discussed. Councillor McTaggart replied that Clackmannanshire Council currently lacks a procedure allowing public involvement in such meetings. Aware of the council’s procedures, Mr. Chowdhry inquired whether a suspension of standing orders might allow this participation. Cllr. McTaggart acknowledged that it was possible, but noted that it could be unlikely, as it might set a precedent for future meetings.
Mr. Wells then clarified that, as per prior conversations and email exchanges with Mr. Chowdhry, he had already raised the suspension request with the Chief Executive, highlighting the urgency of allowing distressed, evacuated homeowners a platform to voice their concerns. He also confirmed his ongoing efforts to advance a third petition through the council, which, if approved, could create a pathway for public participation.
Additionally, Mr. Wells clarified that any discussion in the council chamber would focus strictly on the petition itself rather than the broader proposal. Mr. Chowdhry noted that this stance differed from previous council communications, but he agreed that the petition's wording could still lead to a meaningful dialogue.
The meeting quickly turned tense, with homeowners questioning the council’s timeline for delivering a long-promised options report and sharing concerns about the suitability and duration of their current housing arrangements. Councillor Jane McTaggert’s few comments, however, came across as dismissive, adding to residents' frustrations. “This meeting was our chance to understand what lies ahead, but Cllr McTaggert’s responses felt like a rebuff to our genuine concerns,” Lynsey Macquater said. Her remark, “We are doing everything we can?” in response to one resident’s plea for clarity on the timeline, struck many as lacking empathy and awareness of the difficult position homeowners are in.
One of the meeting’s most poignant moments occurred when Jimmy Vallance, a resident affected by the RAAC crisis, tried to describe the trauma he and his wife Fiona have faced. Emotionally overwhelmed, Jimmy broke down, unable to continue. Fiona took over, sharing their daily struggle: “Jimmy and I cannot speak. We are consumed by this from the minute we wake up every day. From our temporary home we hear every noise from upstairs, and everything of ours is still in boxes. We have been lying on a rubber mattress covered with mould.” Jimmy then interrupted, capturing the depth of their anguish, saying, “You are lucky that we are both still here,” a stark expression of the extreme emotional toll this crisis has taken on them.
Instead of offering empathy, Councillor Jane McTaggert responded with a statement that left the room in silence. “You don’t know how we are feeling, do you think we are enjoying this? It’s hard on us too,” she said, a comment that homeowners felt was dismissive of their suffering. Her tone and phrasing, described as “condescending” by several attendees, often left the room in stunned silence.
At this particularly tense moment in the meeting, Kevin Wells, Strategic Director - Place, stepped in to address the residents’ concerns with a more understanding approach. “We can never fully understand what you are all going through, and I do appreciate it is a challenging time,” he acknowledged. “From our perspective, this is always at the top of our list. There are limitations to what we can do as a council. The housing officer is us reaching out. I’m sorry if that doesn’t seem like enough. We are trying to do what we can. We are more than happy to explore what we can do for you with all of you.” Wells’ response provided a brief sense of relief, but the meeting's overall tone had already left many residents feeling alienated. “We’re already in limbo. We needed empathy and understanding, but it felt like we were being scolded for asking for clarity,” shared one resident after the meeting.
Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK Campaign Group and an advocate for the RAAC-affected homeowners, expressed deep concern over the council’s approach. “This meeting was an opportunity for the council to demonstrate compassion and to reassure residents that their voices are being heard. Instead, residents were met with defensiveness and a lack of urgency. Cllr McTaggert’s tone throughout the meeting eroded the confidence of already beleaguered residents,” he said.
However, some practical outcomes did emerge from the meeting. Residents were informed that a Full Council Meeting, set for 30th January, will include the presentation of the council’s options report for RAAC-affected homes. To ensure residents’ priorities are fully represented, Kevin Wells invited them to submit a list of specific outcomes and requests, which Mr. Chowdhry will prepare on their behalf, engaging with Mr. Wells in the coming months. Additionally, Mr. Wells is working to facilitate the approval of a residents' petition and is exploring the suspension of standing orders to allow Mr. Chowdhry to represent homeowners directly during the Full Council Meeting.
Despite these efforts, the RAAC-affected homeowners left the meeting feeling doubtful about the council’s commitment to providing an impartial, well-considered options report. Many fear that the council’s handling of the crisis may be biased, given the dismissive tone exhibited during the meeting. “We worry now that any options report delivered by this council will reflect the same lack of empathy we encountered today. If Cllr McTaggert’s approach is indicative of broader council attitudes, it’s hard to have faith in a fair outcome,” said one homeowner.
As residents prepare to attend the upcoming Full Council Meeting, they remain determined to ensure their voices are heard. “These homeowners have already endured more than enough,” continued Chowdhry. “They deserve transparency, respect, and a real plan for their futures. We will continue to stand with them, pushing for a process that is both fair and empathetic.”
This experience has only strengthened their resolve to hold Clackmannanshire Council accountable as they await the council’s options report and its decisions on their futures.
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