A call for “good” council tenants to be given more consideration by Perth and Kinross Council’s housing department provoked angry political exchanges.
It was suggested by Tory councillors that householders can have their lives shattered by anti-social neighbours who have been moved into their communities in a bid to receive “good marks” from homelessness regulators.
The comments were branded “reprehensible” by one councillor and “populist nonsense” by another during yesterday’s meeting of the council’s housing and health committee.
They came as it was noted the council’s homeless service had moved from being one of the worst in Scotland four years ago to among the top six, according to the Scottish housing regulator.
However, it was instances of homeless people being moved into previously peaceful areas which vexed Tory housing spokesman, Councillor Mac Roberts.
He said, “We must not lose sight of our responsibilities to our good tenants. Placing homeless people with drink and drug problems in our council housing estates while perhaps giving us good marks with the regulator can create serious problems for our tenants.
“People who for years lived quietly looking after the house and garden, keeping on good terms with their neighbours and helping out where they can suddenly find a person without their values moving in next door.”Lesser markHe suggested accepting a lesser mark from the regulator in exchange for a “fairer deal” for residents.
Fellow Conservative, Councillor Heather Stewart said, “There has to be a balance between the homeless and the residents, because if there is not there is a knock-on effect for all concerned and it puts great pressure on other agencies of the council, as well as Tayside Police.”
Liberal Democrat housing convener Councillor Peter Barrett said, “I’d be looking from the opposition spokesman for a responsible attitude and not some claptrap populist nonsense about defying the law and pretending there is some easy answer and I’m extremely disappointed over the comments.”
Councillor Willie Wilson, also a Lib Dem, said the statements were “insulting” and “reprehensible.”
He said, “I don’t know if Councillor Roberts is freewheeling with his comments or it’s group policy which will form part of the Conservatives’ next manifesto, but the coalition government in Westminster would be appalled to hear the remarks today from local Tories and equally appalled they are telling us the problem but not the solution.”
Mr Roberts also challenged Mr Barrett on the £410 a week cost of housing a homeless person in Greyfriars hostel in Perth.
He said, “The average take-home pay in Perth and Kinross is £370. Even you, with your enhanced convener salary, could not afford to stay there.”
Mr Barrett responded, “The level of cost compares favourably with the cost of residential accommodation in care homes and it is accommodation with support, dealing with vulnerable people.”