DON'T EVICT OUR HOUSING OFFICE SAY TENANTS

Published 30 Sep 2009 15:55 0 Comments

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FURIOUS residents are hitting out at the council's latest decision to evict their Housing Department from Barrhead.

A leaked paper to the News revealed that council bosses are set to move the Housing Department from Main Street to the former social work offices in Darnley Road.

It is believed that the Main Street office will now be leased out to other businesses.

At a meeting of the East Renfrewshire Tenants Federation on Thursday at Dunterlie Community Centre, concerns were raised that the local authority have taken the decision to remove much needed council resources, without consulting Barrhead tenant organisations.

Fears were also raised that ERC are 'degrading public sector housing' as a much needed resource in the communities.

It was stressed that many tenants use the Main Street office while out shopping and the office is also handy for people as it is on a main bus route.

One furious tenant from Dunterlie stated: "What do we do in the winter?

"Having to visit housing officials up the hill in Darnley Road is certainly not very suitable for the disabled, the elderly and young mothers.

"Only top officials from East Renfrewshire Council could think this one up."

A spokesman from East Renfrewshire Tenants Federation stated: "We will be seeking urgent talks with senior officials and will be fighting all the way until this crazy idea is stopped."

East Renfrewshire Council have defended their plans to move the Housing Department claiming it makes more sense to merge the Thornliebank housing staff and Main Street staff together in one office.

A spokesman said: "We are rationalising and moving staff from various departments across East Renfrewshire.

"We would like to make tenants aware that our Housing Officers are always available to come out for home visits especially to the elderly and vulnerable.

"Our Customer First staff at the Main Street office will still be there to discuss issues with tenants.

"The move means that all of our housing officers will be under the same roof rather than being scattered around different offices in East Renfrewshire."

This article appeared in Barrhead News 30 Sep 09

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