West Lothian £4 million work to remove RAAC panels from council homes to start in August

Work is expected to start in August on a £4 million refurbishment programme of council homes discovered to have crumbling concrete roof panels in West Lothian.

The programme will focus on 69 individual properties and 15 blocks of flats in Broxburn, Bathgate, Linlithgow and Craigshill in Livingston, a meeting of the Housing Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel heard.

The work will take almost two years.

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Answering a question from Livingston North Conservative councillor Alison Adamson, Marjory Mackie, the housing strategy and development manager confirmed the flatted blocks were a range of types but made up another 73 homes.

The refurbishment costs of £4.3 million will come out of council capital funding and are expected to take until December of next year.

A report to the committee said: “The council remains committed to providing ongoing support and information to private home-owners carrying out their own re-mediation process.

“The council's approach to supporting these residents aligns with current government policy and legislation and whilst the maintenance and repair of private properties remains the sole responsibility of their respective owners, the council will continue to provide advice and support to homeowners.

“Home-owners in affected properties have been notified by letter and the communication included links to the council website with information on RAAC and contact information for home-owners to make enquiries.

“Home-owners are recommended to seek independent legal or financial advice as they navigate the RAAC remediation process for their properties. The council will update its website to ensure these residents are signposted to relevant organisations and departments to assist them through the process.”

In a letter to the council, housing minister Paul McLennan maintained that funding to remediate RAAC issues remained the responsibility of the Westminster government.

He added: “I would be delighted to meet with council leaders to understand the next steps and discuss the options available to the council.”

In response to that, Councillor Adamson said: “I would suggest we make it a priority that we should invite the Scottish Minister to come to West Lothian Council and to talk to us.”

After the meeting councillor Adamson said: ”I think we as a council should call out Mr McLennan. He should be using money allocated for housing for housing in Scotland not slashing £200 million from the housing budget.

Chairing the committee, Councillor George Paul asked if the £4.3 million bill “could go higher?”

Mrs Mackie said the costs were “indicative” at present.

The report to the committee added: “Developments around RAAC in housing at a national level are ongoing and at this point the Scottish Government have not confirmed any additional funding to meet RAAC costs incurred by local authorities, registered social landlords and/or private home-owners.

"Council officers will continue to liaise with Scottish Government and the Scottish Housing Regulator on RAAC in housing and provide regular updates on the council’s RAAC situation in general.”

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