West Lothian Council Makes History by Approving Precedential RAAC Deputation

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

PLEASE JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS FOR UK GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) and OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE)

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."

West Lothian Council's Approach to RAAC Repair Concerns Sparks Criticism

A protestor at Scottish Parliament on 13th November

PLEASE JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS FOR UK GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) and OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE)

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)

In response to a recent statement from Julie Whitelaw, Head of Housing, Customer and Building Services, Wilson Chowdhry, Chair of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, has expressed significant concerns over West Lothian Council’s handling of RAAC-affected properties and the lack of targeted financial support for homeowners.

Julie Whitelaw’s letter outlines the council’s reliance on the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to justify its limited role in addressing RAAC issues, emphasizing that the council’s focus remains on advice and non-financial assistance. However, Chowdhry strongly contends this approach, highlighting RAAC as a unique public safety crisis that demands urgent and tailored intervention.

RAAC: A Crisis, Not a Cosmetic Issue

“RAAC is not a standard repair matter. It’s a systemic safety crisis that undermines the structural integrity of homes and puts residents at risk,” said Chowdhry. “Applying the same framework used for general home repairs to RAAC is inadequate and disregards the gravity of the issue.”

He further emphasized that the catastrophic implications for homeowners—ranging from financial ruin to potential homelessness—necessitate the creation of a bespoke support mechanism. Drawing parallels to flood relief schemes, Chowdhry argued that Scotland has successfully implemented targeted support for emergencies in the past and could do so again for RAAC.

Wilson Chowdhry has registered for a deputation at West Lothian Council's Full Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 19th November. A decision regarding the deputation is expected in the morning. In preparation, an email has already been sent to Juliet Whitelaw ahead of the meeting.

Protestors were filmed by numerous TV Channels before a historic moment within the campaign for RAAC justice.

Call to Action

Chowdhry has urged West Lothian Council to aggressively pursue funding support from the Scottish Government to develop a targeted grant or loan scheme for RAAC-affected homeowners. He also called for transparency regarding property classifications in Craigshill and emphasized the need for a cohesive plan that reflects the safety-critical nature of RAAC homes.

Beleaguered homeowners from Craigshill, West Lothian, joined Wilson Chowdhry and fellow homeowners from across Scotland, including Dundee and Tillicoultry, in a UK RAAC Campaign Group protest outside Holyrood. The demonstration took place immediately before Mr. Chowdhry's petition was reviewed by the Scottish Parliament's Petitions Committee. A favorable outcome from the committee has sparked renewed hope among the 1,000 affected homeowners that a fair resolution to the crisis may still be achievable.

“The Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee’s recognition of RAAC as a national crisis sets a precedent for action. Local councils must align their policies with this urgency to prevent a humanitarian and economic disaster,” Chowdhry concluded.

Scottish Housing Regulator’s Delayed Response Raises Concerns Over RAAC Data Transparency

                               

Image: Campaigners attend the UK RAAC Campaign Group Petition hearing at the Scottish Parliament.

PLEASE JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS FOR UK GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) and OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE)

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)

Two days after Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, requested updated data from the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) regarding the scale of properties affected by RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete), he received a response that both alarmed and frustrated him. The response revealed that the true extent of the RAAC problem in Scotland is far larger than initially indicated—something Mr. Chowdhry had long suspected. However, the delay in releasing this crucial information raises serious questions about transparency and the regulator’s role in safeguarding public interests.

For months, Mr. Chowdhry has known that the initial figure of 1,994 affected homes was a gross understatement. This was evident from reports by various councils, including Aberdeen City, West Lothian, and Dundee, which suggested that many more properties were at risk. In a recent email, Mr. Chowdhry raised his concerns with the SHR, stating, “I’ve noticed that based on reports from Aberdeen City Council, West Lothian Council, and Dundee alone, the reported figure of 1,994 RAAC-affected houses does not seem to accurately reflect the true size and scale of the problem. This estimate appears even more limited when we consider that 10 other councils and housing associations are also likely impacted.” He requested confirmation from the SHR on when this data would be updated and whether it could distinguish between homeowners and tenanted properties.

The SHR’s response, received two days later, confirmed that the true scale of the issue is far larger than originally reported. However, it also highlighted the regulator’s limited role in addressing the needs of homeowners. The SHR clarified in their reply, “As previously advised, as the regulator of social housing in Scotland, our statutory objective is to safeguard and protect the interests of the tenants of social landlords. Due to this, we do not routinely collect data that would make it possible to accurately distinguish the number of homeowners affected by RAAC in Scotland.”

This narrow focus on social tenants rather than homeowners left Mr. Chowdhry deeply frustrated. He has long believed that the SHR’s refusal to collect and compile comprehensive data is a significant oversight. He expressed his frustration in an email to the SHR, saying, “I have known for months that the figures provided by the SHR were erroneous. The real number of affected homes is much higher, and it is deeply concerning that this crucial information has been withheld.”

The issue of data collection is particularly troubling, as many local councils across Scotland, including Aberdeen City, West Lothian, and Dundee, have already published data about affected properties. Mr. Chowdhry points out that the SHR’s refusal to gather this information suggests a jobsworth approach to their role. “Many Local councils have made this information readily available on their websites. It’s simply a matter of collating this data. The SHR’s reluctance to do so seems more like a failure to take responsibility than a lack of resources,” he said.

In his follow-up communication with the SHR, Mr. Chowdhry called for an explanation of how long the regulator had known about the increased figures for affected homes. He expressed his anger that the SHR had been sitting on this data for months, calling the delay part of a cover-up to downplay the severity of the RAAC issue. “It is unacceptable that tenants and homeowners are being left in the dark, especially when it is clear that the SHR has had access to updated figures for some time,” he remarked. He further assumed that the government, the cross-sector working group and subsequently the housing sub-groups had been informed much earlier, calling this failure to disclose the full extent of the crisis a dismal attempt at hiding the truth.

The situation has highlighted the need for the Scottish Government to reconsider the SHR’s mandate or  Mr. Chowdhry believes that if the regulator’s sole focus is on social tenants, then a separate body should be created to safeguard the interests of homeowners affected by structural defects. He stated, “It’s clear that the SHR is not equipped to address the full scope of the RAAC crisis. Homeowners have been left to deal with the fallout of this issue on their own, and that needs to change. The Scottish Government must review the purpose of the SHR or consider creating a body that is specifically tasked with protecting homeowners.”  A petition to this effect has been submitted to the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee.

In conclusion, the SHR’s delayed response and limited engagement with the broader issue of RAAC has only deepened the frustration felt by those affected. As Mr. Chowdhry continues to advocate for affected homeowners, he remains committed to pressing for greater transparency and accountability from both the SHR and the Scottish Government. “We will not stop until homeowners receive the support and recognition they deserve,” he vowed. The time for action is now, and the call for a review of the SHR’s role is more urgent than ever.

Including all the homes listed in publicly available sources online, there are 2,642 homes affected by RAAC, encompassing both homeowners and tenants. However, this figure does not account for two blocks in Dundee and 15 blocks in West Lothian, where the exact number of affected homes remains unclear.

However, Mr. Chowdhry will write to all 16 social housing landlords and councils mentioned in the most recent Scottish Housing Regulator report, which lists 2,445 tenanted homes, to obtain accurate figures for all tenanted/evacuated homes and any additional known private homes within their remit. So far, 814 privately owned homes—excluding two further blocks of flats—brings the total to 3,259 affected homes.

Aberdeen City Council (from report to full council):

Number of homes: 366 council homes and 138 privately owned properties
Type of properties: A mix of houses and first-floor flats in 372 buildings

Angus Council (taken from the Ferret):

25 Homes affected by RAAC

City of Edinburgh (from website):

RAAC is present in 44 council homes and survey work is underway to assess the condition of these properties.

Dundee Council (from website):

RAAC was found in 81 blocks of flats and 293 cottages in council wards including Lochee, North East and East End. Of these, 79 blocks of flats have council tenants or are mixed tenure, and 172 cottages have council tenants.

Within the 79 blocks, 354 flats are rented by council tenants and 218 are privately owned. The remaining two blocks of flats and 121 cottages are privately owned and are therefore the sole responsibility of the owners.

Note: Considering the 354 council tenants, 218 privately owned flats, and 293 cottages, the total number of affected households stands at 895. This figure does not include the additional residents of the two remaining blocks of flats, which would bring the total number of affected households 

beyond 900.

East Lothian Council (taken from the Ferret):

1 home has RAAC

North Lanarkshire Council:

NLC website states: A detailed analysis has revealed the figure to be 22 properties that have RAAC. The Ferret states this figure is now 77 homes.

Rosehill Housing Co-operative Limited (taken from the Ferret):

197 homes have RAAC

Stirling Council (taken from the Ferret):

28 Homes have RAAC

South Lanarakshire Council (taken from the Ferret):

148 Homes have RAAC

West Lothian Council (from council report to full council):

It is estimated there are a total of 337 private houses and flats affected by RAAC in West Lothian, in Linlithgow Bridge (52), Broxburn (69), Bathgate (52) and Craigshill, Livingston (164).

RAAC is present in 69 homes (less than 0.5% of the council housing stock). Surveys have also confirmed the presence of RAAC in 15 common blocks (from council website). 

Almond Housing (from website):

Though on their website Almond HA have stated: RAAC roof panels had been used in the construction of 318 properties in the Craigshill area of Livingston. Of these, the panels in 209 houses and 96 flats (with 34 being directly affected) were encapsulated under pitched roofs which reduces the risk presented by wind and water penetration.

In total, 13 properties were identified which do not have pitched roofs. We had previously carried out surveys which identified the presence of RAAC in both walls and roofs in 7 of these properties.

[While the Almond Housing website has not yet updated this information, during a recent meeting between the Directors of Almond Housing and Wilma Pincott, Chairperson of the Craigshill Community Council, it was confirmed that 242 homes owned by Almond Housing contain RAAC. Additionally, 239 properties in Craigshill are privately owned.

For now, I will rely on the figures available from the Almond Housing website while I work to obtain official confirmation of property statuses from West Lothian Council.]

OPEN LETTER: Call to Suspend Aberdeen’s Voluntary Agreement Process Pending Scottish Parliament Action

PLEASE JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS FOR UK GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) and OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE)

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)

Below is the official text of the open letter sent to Aberdeen City Council, requesting the suspension of the current Voluntary Agreement process:

Mr Stephen Booth Corporate Landlord and all Elected Members

Aberdeen City Council
Marischal College
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB

Open Letter to Stephen Booth, Corporate Landlord, and All Elected Members

This letter has been sent by email. Please reply in kind.

Dear Mr. Booth and Elected Members,

RE: RAAC Remediation in Torry: A Call for Responsible Action from Aberdeen City Council

I write to you amidst significant distress caused by Aberdeen City Council’s questionable and deeply troubling decisions regarding the Balnagask Estate in Torry. These actions have created undue anxiety and fear within our community.

Despite numerous attempts by my daughter Hannah and me to highlight the plight of homeowners trapped in negative equity due to RAAC-affected roofs—defects originating from council-built properties sold under the Right-to-Buy scheme—the Council is pressing ahead with a voluntary agreement process that has been overwhelmingly rejected by residents. Homeowners have made it clear they will not engage unless offers reflect pre-RAAC-declaration valuations, which would be a fair and just baseline given the history of these properties.

On 13th November, the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee reviewed our RAAC petition and responded with decisive and supportive actions:

Next Steps and Actions:

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 regarding the petition's concerns.

3. Engagement with Housing Minister: The committee will highlight that current local authority schemes primarily offer advice, not financial support, which is a concern for affected homeowners.

4. UK Government Funding: Updates will be requested on discussions with the UK Government about funding for RAAC remediation, including potential use of UK Budget allocations by the Scottish Government.

5. Home Report Standards: The committee will ask the Housing Minister about plans to update home reports to include essential structural details for future buyers.

6. Evidence Gathering: MSP Jackson Carlaw stressed the importance of collecting evidence from stakeholders, potentially including a session with the Housing Minister.

The petition will remain open as the committee gathers evidence and engages with the Housing Minister and UK Government. A future meeting to take formal evidence from the minister is being considered to address the concerns of RAAC-impacted homeowners and explore meaningful solutions.  

You can read more and watch a video of the proceedings here: https://wilsonsthirdway.blogspot.com/2024/11/scottish-parliament-petition-committees.html

Aberdeen City Council stands alone in Scotland in pursuing a voluntary agreement process despite limited resources and ongoing public opposition. Simultaneously, you have approved a new development without secured funding, risking significant financial and reputational consequences should this escalate to a public inquiry. Residents view the Council’s actions as akin to a modern Scottish Clearance, prioritizing profit over people by replacing existing homes with developments likely to yield substantial gains for the Council.

The Balnagask Estate represents one of the UK’s most deprived communities, as evidenced by national deprivation indices. It is unacceptable for the Council to proceed without offering a fair deal to homeowners. We therefore urge you to:

1. Suspend the Voluntary Agreement Process: Await the outcomes of our petition and its associated findings before continuing with this controversial and inequitable approach.

2. Demonstrate Empathy and Leadership: Reverse the bleak narrative of bureaucratic indifference by taking meaningful, community-focused action.

Having spoken with some residents who have now initiated the voluntary agreement process and are working with Atkins Realis, they have expressed a desperate desire to continue. These residents, witnessing their community deteriorate into a ghost town plagued by increased antisocial behavior and declining hope, feel compelled to accept the meager compensation offered—simply to preserve their mental well-being. The overwhelming depression of this process has left them seeking an escape, despite the financial challenges they know they will face in the future.

However, for the majority of homeowners who remain steadfast, I reiterate the request for the council to postpone further steps in this process. Proceeding with a costly and contentious Compulsory Purchase Order at this time risks unnecessary expenditure and reputational damage. Instead, the council could await the outcome of the Scottish Parliament's Petitions Committee's favorable actions, which may offer a path toward financial reprieve for both the council and the affected homeowners.

Sincerely,

Wilson Chowdhry

Chairman

UK RAAC Campaign Group

Calls for Postponement of Controversial Voluntary Agreement as Aberdeen City Council Faces Backlash Over RAAC Crisis and Lack of Accountability

Wilson and Hannah Chowdhry present a detailed list of critical issues raised with Mr. Stephen Booth during their historic first face-to-face meeting with campaigners and Aberdeen City Council leaders.

PLEASE JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS FOR UK GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) and OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE)

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)

Residents of Balnagask Estate in Torry remain deeply frustrated with Aberdeen City Council's handling of homes affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Homeowners have overwhelmingly rejected the Council’s voluntary agreement process, criticizing it as unfair and dismissive of their concerns.

In an open letter addressed to all councillors and Mr. Stephen Booth, Strategic Officer - Corporate Landlord, Wilson Chowdhry urged the Council to suspend the voluntary agreement process until the Scottish Parliament’s Petition Committee completes its investigations. Read the full letter (here)

Wilson Chowdhry, an advocate for affected homeowners, has repeatedly sought essential information from the Council to explore alternative solutions. Despite multiple follow-up emails to Stephen Booth and all councillors, requests for clarity and data remain unanswered.

In a further email to Mr. Booth and councillors, Mr. Chowdhry wrote:

"I’m following up as I have still not received the breakdown of property types in relation to the number of owners promised over 2 months ago, specifically the number of private homeowners for 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom properties. Additionally, I am still awaiting details regarding any blocks of homes where no council tenants reside. This information is crucial for me to explore potential opportunities for self-funding and to raise the issue of improved terms under the Scheme of Assistance Strategy."

The delay in providing such critical information underscores what Mr. Chowdhry describes as a profound lack of transparency and urgency from the Council. He remarked, “This data is vital for exploring alternative solutions and advocating for fair terms for homeowners. The lack of responsiveness further alienates a community already struggling with the Council’s misguided actions.”

Mr. Chowdhry also highlighted that Mr. Booth appears to be exploiting a misunderstanding within the Torry Community RAAC Campaign Group, whose leaders have inadvertently advised residents that certain offers are no longer available. He emphasized, “This misunderstanding is not their fault but rather a consequence of the Council’s convoluted and overly complex language, which often leaves less experienced individuals struggling to grasp key details.”

This obfuscation, intentional or not, has only served to deepen the mistrust between the Council and the affected community, making it even harder to reach fair and equitable solutions.

Additionally, Mr. Chowdhry's questions, sent on 1st November, remain unanswered, despite several subsequent communications with Mr. Booth. This delay raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability from Aberdeen City Council.

He specifically asked for the Council’s rationale for denying responsibility for RAAC in properties it constructed and sold to private homeowners without disclosure. This omission is compounded by the Council’s approach to deducting roof repair costs from property valuations, which homeowners consider unjust.

The statement that "the Council has ruled out the viability of roof replacement for our own stock, and there is no approved funding route to private owners" adds further confusion. Mr. Chowdhry questioned whether this aligns with the Council’s legal obligations under Section 71 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, which addresses responsibilities for housing defects.

Concerns were also raised about the 2003 Local Government Act’s “best value” requirement. Mr. Chowdhry argued that the Council’s approach—focusing solely on financial cost—fails to account for fairness, socio-economic impacts, and the well-being of affected communities. He emphasized the Council’s legal duty under the Fairer Scotland Duty to address socio-economic inequalities, as well as its commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The lack of public involvement in decision-making was another major concern. Mr. Chowdhry noted that withholding key details on voluntary agreements undermines residents’ ability to engage meaningfully, which breaches Section 10 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.

Finally, he questioned the inclusion of demolition and redevelopment proposals for Balnagask without secured construction funding, drawing parallels to the 2010 rejection of West Lothian Council’s Compulsory Purchase Order. Mr. Chowdhry warned that a similar lack of planning could lead to legal and reputational challenges for Aberdeen City Council.

Residents are demanding clear and detailed responses to these pressing issues, along with assurances of fair treatment and adherence to legal obligations.

Scottish Parliament Steps In

On 13th November, the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee reviewed a petition submitted by Wilson and Hannah Chowdhry and responded with robust support. The Committee initiated actions to address the systemic challenges faced by RAAC-affected homeowners, including:

• Engaging industry experts to conduct comprehensive assessments of RAAC risks and recommend effective solutions.
• Collaborating with the Housing Minister to potentially overhaul inadequate local authority assistance schemes that currently exclude funding for essential remedial works.
• Advocating for UK Government funding for RAAC remediation or seeking clarity on whether the Scottish Government will allocate part of the recently confirmed £3.4 billion budget from the UK Chancellor to address the issue.
• Reviewing and updating home report standards to ensure greater transparency for prospective homeowners, alongside considering legislative reforms proposed by Mr. Chowdhry.
• Formally collecting evidence from key stakeholders, with plans to potentially hear directly from the Housing Minister, underscoring the gravity of the issue and the need for immediate action.

The petition remains open, with continued evidence gathering to secure meaningful solutions.

A Call for Action

Aberdeen City Council has faced criticism for continuing with the voluntary agreement process despite widespread opposition and without providing the necessary resources or support to homeowners. Residents view the process as inequitable, with offers falling far short of pre-RAAC-declaration valuations—terms deemed fair by the community.

Mr. Chowdhry also criticized the Council for prioritizing a redevelopment project, despite lacking secured funding. He stated, “The Council’s approach appears to prioritize profit over people. The voluntary agreement process is nothing short of a modern Scottish Clearance, displacing vulnerable residents to pave the way for new developments.”

Next Steps

Mr. Chowdhry and his daughter have requested to speak at the next Council meeting addressing RAAC-related issues, urging the Council to suspend the voluntary agreement process until the outcomes of the Scottish Parliament’s investigation are known.

He concluded, “The actions of Aberdeen City Council have been callous and without empathy. It’s time for them to reflect and take meaningful steps to rebuild trust with the Balnagask community.”

The residents of Balnagask Estate remain united in their demand for fairness and accountability, warning that without just terms, they will resist redevelopment efforts.

Scottish Parliament Petition Committee's Review of Wilson and Hannah Chowdhry’s RAAC Petition: Key Outcomes and Next Steps

PLEASE JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS FOR UK GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) and OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE)

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

On 13th November, the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee reviewed the UK RAAC Campaign Group petition, authored by Wilson Chowdhry and his daughter, Hannah Chowdhry. Here, we outline the key outcomes and next steps.

The outcome of the Scottish Government committee's consideration of the RAAC petition is largely supportive, with several actions agreed upon to address the concerns raised. Here’s a summary of the key points discussed and the steps the committee decided to take:

Scottish Government’s Response:

1. • SPICe (Scottish Parliament Information Centre - provides impartial research and analysis)  indicated that while funding specifically for RAAC-related repairs isn’t currently offered, the Scottish Government did previously have a scheme to support homeowners with structural defects and is open to discussions with the UK Government regarding RAAC funding.
   • The government stated that the presence of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) in buildings doesn’t automatically mean they’re unsafe. Homeowners are advised to follow a risk-based assessment approach recommended by the Institution of Structural Engineers, as some buildings may not present immediate issues.
   • Local authorities are expected to have an “Assistance Scheme” strategy, which provides advice for homeowners needing home repairs, although it currently focuses on guidance rather than financial support.
   • There’s also mention of reviewing the Scottish home report to ensure buyers can make informed choices, possibly by including structural details and materials used, to understand future performance.

2. Next Steps and Actions:

   • Keeping the Petition Open: MSP David Torrance suggested keeping the petition open to gather more information and pursue further actions.
   • Consulting Relevant Bodies: The committee will write to professional organizations, including Built Environment Scotland, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Chartered Institution of Building, and the Royal Incorporation of Architects of Scotland, to review and respond to the concerns raised in the petition.
   • Engagement with the Minister of Housing: The committee will highlight that the current assistance schemes by local authorities mainly provide advice rather than tangible financial support, which is a concern for affected homeowners.
   • Exploring UK Government Funding: The committee will to seek an update on discussions with the UK Government on funding for RAAC remediation and management, including whether the Scottish Government will use funding resulting from the recent UK Budget to address this issue
   • Reviewing Home Report Standards: The committee will ask the Minister for Housing about plans to update the home report, ensuring it includes essential structural information to help future buyers make informed decisions.
   • Gathering Evidence: MSP Jackson Carlaw emphasized the importance of formally gathering evidence from stakeholders, including possibly hearing directly from the Housing Minister, to thoroughly explore the issues raised in the petition.

3. Conclusion:

• The petition will remain open as the committee proceeds with evidence gathering and requests further responses from the Minister for Housing and the UK Government. This ongoing engagement aims to address the concerns of homeowners impacted by RAAC and to explore meaningful solutions. There is potential for a future meeting where the committee will take formal evidence from the minister, reflecting the issue's significance.

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Some of the direct transcript of video:

SPICE: While the Scottish Government is not currently providing funding to local authorities or homeowners it has previously operated a scheme to support to homeowners who have recently bought a home with Inherent structural defects 

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT: In response to the petition the Scottish Government set out the presence of RAAC does not necessarily mean that the building is unsafe.  Recommend that homeowners follow the Institution of Structural Engineers risk-based approach.  As for some properties there may be no issue to address.

The Scottish Government is committed to working with UK Government on this issue and also references the requirement for local authorities to have a Scheme for Assistance strategy that sets out support available to private homeowners to make repair to their homes.

Mention is also made to review the home report which is expected to consider how to ensure buyers can make an informed decision in relation to undertaking more detailed surveys. Including structural reports that establish how the property was built, what materials were used and how these will perform in the future.

Jackson Carlaw: How might we proceed with an important petition and one that many of us have seen some documentary coverage of the issues arising from.

David Torrance: Keep the petition open and writing to Built Environment Forum Scotland, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Institution of Building, Royal Incorporation of Architects of Scotland  seeking review of the actions called of in this petition.  I wonder if the committee would also consider writing to the Minister of Housing highlight the petition submission including the concern that local authority schemes for assistance only offers advice and guidance rather than finding when repairs are required.  

Jackson Carlaw: Also seek an update and discussions with the UK Government on the funding for RAAC remediation and the management whether the Scottish Government can find any scope in relation to that.  And ask the Minister for further information on plans to review the Scottish Home report.  I also feel the issues raised in this petition merit some formal taking of evidence at some point, so I would think that the information we are seeking at this stage would help inform the committee.  But this is obviously of huge material concern to those individuals who have affected by RAAC and depending on whether or not we think the answers we receive allow the aims of the petition to advance in a meaningful way, or to be addressed by some other means.  I think we should flag up that it is very much an issue in which we might want to take up evidence with the minister at a future meeting

We will keep the petition open, we will take forward the evidence gathering that we have suggested this morning and we will also write to the Minister for Housing to seek responses to the points made by the petitioner to date together with information form the UK Government.  We will do that with a view to potentially hearing from the minister where we can explore these issue in more detail and therefore have some answers and some exploration of them  for the many people that have been affected by this issue.

(incorporating potential funding through £3.4bn treasury budget)

Dundee Homeowners Launch RAAC Justice Campaign: Petition, Protests, and Community Action

Wilson Chowdhry, Kerry Mackintosh, Wayne Hoskins and Yvette Hoskins

PLEASE JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS FOR UK GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE) and OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (CLICK HERE)

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

RAAC-affected homeowners in Dundee have launched a campaign for justice after being caught in a financial crisis over the purchase of ex-council homes built in the 1960s with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) roofs. In October, we reported on the struggles of Wayne Hoskins, who received only a single letter from the council notifying him that his roof contained RAAC. The council then left him to address the issue alone. When Mr. Hoskins later attempted to sell his home, he discovered that traditional estate agents wouldn’t list it, and even after lowering the price by £30,000 for auction, he was still unable to sell due to mortgage companies refusing loans to potential buyers.

Wilson and Kerry went door-to-door, meeting with affected homeowners to hear their concerns firsthand.

Wayne Hoskins reached out to the UK RAAC Campaign Group, where Chairman Wilson Chowdhry highlighted Mr. Hoskins’ case, drawing interest from The Dundee Courier, who published an article outlining his challenges. Mr. Chowdhry has since reached out to Dundee City Council multiple times to request a deputation, but the council has not prioritized RAAC as an agenda item, effectively blocking public discussion. He also encouraged Mr. Hoskins to request that his local councillors introduce an agenda item on RAAC, but there has been no progress to date.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chowdhry advised Mr. Hoskins to create a Facebook group, "Dundee RAAC Campaign Group," which has attracted nearly 200 homeowners and tenants facing similar issues. Many of these supporters have signed a petition Mr. Chowdhry and his daughter Hannah submitted on the Scottish Parliament website, which has now surpassed 1,600 signatures.

The petition has three principal demands:

1. Establish a national fund to support homeowners and tenants affected by RAAC.
2. Initiate a public inquiry into the actions of councils and housing associations regarding RAAC.
3. Enact or update legislation to hold developers, councils, and housing associations accountable for using substandard materials, mandate full disclosure of risks, and make surveyors and solicitors liable for undiscovered defects.

The petition is set to be reviewed by the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, November 13, and could lead to one of the following outcomes:

• A request for written information from the Scottish Government, local authorities, and relevant organizations.
• An invitation for the petitioner to share personal stories directly with the committee.
• A referral of the petition to another committee for in-depth review.
• Recommendations for the Scottish Government to establish a financial support fund for RAAC homeowners.
• A debate in the Scottish Parliament Chamber to raise awareness and build further support.

Notably, the petition has received support letters from two MSPs—a rare endorsement on the Scottish Parliament petition site. Murdo Fraser MSP (Mid Scotland and Fife) and Edward Mountain MSP (Highlands and Islands) have backed the petition, and Liam Kerr MSP is expected to discuss it during the hearing.

On Saturday, November 9, Wilson Chowdhry and Kerry Mackintosh from the UK RAAC Campaign visited Wayne and his wife Yvette to plan a protest and a community meeting. The protest is scheduled for Saturday, November 23, at City Square, outside Caird Hall, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the first meeting of the Dundee RAAC Campaign Group at Downfield Mains Church, 39 Haldane Crescent, Dundee, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. After the meeting, Wilson and Kerry visited all local RAAC-affected properties in Mr. Hoskins' area, providing residents with updates and details about their campaign. Mr. Chowdhry has since obtained official permission from local police to hold the protest.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:  

"Homeowners like Wayne Hoskins have been left abandoned, with properties they can’t sell and debts they can’t escape," said Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group. "The councils and government must take responsibility for the financial and emotional turmoil the RAAC scandal has caused. We’re determined to fight for a national fund and real accountability for everyone impacted by RAAC across Scotland."

The UK RAAC Campaign Group is also inviting supporters to join a protest outside the Scottish Parliament on 13th November 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and to sign their online petitions (here) and (here).