West Lothian Council Makes History by Approving Precedential RAAC Deputation

Mr. Chowdhry delivered his deputation remotely via a Teams link from his home.

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WATCH FIRST NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS FEATURE ON RAAC HOUSING CRISES (HERE)

Watch the historic moment as the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee officially backs the UK RAAC Campaign Group’s petition—a groundbreaking step in our fight for justice and accountability! (here)

Livingston, 19th November 2024 – In a landmark decision today, West Lothian Council voted overwhelmingly (29 to 3) to allow Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, to present a deputation during the full council meeting. This decision is a significant first for the council, as no previous deputation has been heard without a corresponding report on the agenda, prompting the convener to seek procedural guidance.

During the meeting, Mr. Chowdhry highlighted the urgent need for financial and policy interventions to address the crisis caused by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), which has rendered many homes unsafe and uninhabitable.

Key Points from the Deputation:

1. Support for Scottish Parliament Petition – Mr. Chowdhry called on the council to back his petition with the Scottish Parliament’s Petitions Committee, which has taken decisive actions to address RAAC concerns. These actions include consultations with experts, engagement with the Housing Minister, and exploring UK Government funding.

2. Clarification of RAAC Impact – He urged clarity on the number of private homes affected in Craigshill, where conflicting figures—488 homes reported by the Craigshill Community Council versus the council’s claim of 164 privately owned homes—have created confusion.

3. Targeted Financial Assistance – Mr. Chowdhry emphasized the need for a bespoke framework under Section 72 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, allowing councils to tailor Schemes of Assistance to address the unique challenges posed by RAAC.

Mr Chowdhry registered the  deputation, citing correspondence from Julie Whitelaw, Head of Housing, Customer and Building Services, which outlined the council’s position:

• Mandatory Grants: “Whilst councils have had more flexibility in determining which works qualify for mandatory grants, the presumption is against general subsidisation of repair and improvement works, with specific provisions made primarily for disabled adaptations,” Ms. Whitelaw stated.
• No Broad Financial Assistance: "Providing financial assistance for all repair work associated with RAAC would be a significant undertaking... The council’s current focus is on advice and guidance," wrote Ms. Whitelaw.
• Council Limitations: While acknowledging the severity of the crisis, the council noted that creating a broader mandatory grant scheme for RAAC would require substantial funding and a comprehensive framework.

Collaboration with Scottish Parliament and Government

During his deputation, Mr. Chowdhry urged the council to work more aggressively with the Scottish Government to secure funding for schemes addressing the RAAC crisis. He highlighted the decisive actions of the Scottish Parliament’s Petitions Committee, which has actively engaged with the UK RAAC Campaign Group to tackle this pressing issue.

On 13th November, the committee reviewed the RAAC petition and committed to several key next steps:

1. Petition Status: MSP David Torrance proposed keeping the petition open to gather more information and pursue further actions.
2. Consulting Experts: The committee will seek input from Built Environment Forum Scotland, RICS, the Chartered Institution of Building, and the Royal Incorporation of Architects of Scotland.
3. Engagement with the Housing Minister: The committee raised concerns about current local authority schemes offering only advice, not financial support, for affected homeowners.
4. UK Government Funding: Updates will be requested regarding discussions with the UK Government about funding for RAAC remediation, including potential allocations from the UK Budget.
5. Home Report Standards: The committee plans to address the need for updated home reports that include structural assessments.
6. Evidence Gathering: Stakeholder evidence will be collected, with a potential session involving the Housing Minister.

The petition will remain open as the committee continues to gather evidence and engage with both the Scottish Housing Minister and the UK Government, with plans to take formal evidence in a future session.

Mr. Chowdhry also called on West Lothian Council to demonstrate leadership by endorsing the petition. He reminded councillors of their unique ability to act without political neutrality constraints, emphasizing that their support could significantly advance the goals of both the council and the UK RAAC Campaign Group, ensuring meaningful action for affected homeowners.

Mr. Chowdhry expressed disappointment with the council’s reliance on existing frameworks, stating:

"RAAC is not a routine repair issue; it is a public safety crisis requiring immediate, targeted action. By treating this as a standard repair under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, the council is failing to address the scale and urgency of the problem."