Sir, – Angus Council’s habit of using the homeless as a patsy for all that ails its housing department is wearing a bit thin.
They are now being blamed for the council’s inability to collect rent money owed by tenants who do a moonlight flit then skip town to avoid their debt (“Council is battling a rising tide of debt racked up by tenants”, The Courier, March 19).
This is from the council that sold off the 11-bedsit Queens Close homeless units in Montrose for £110,000 after spending almost half a million pounds to refurbish the building following a fire in 2007.
The units had not seen a homeless person in residence since the refurbishment.
The demolition of the homeless unit at Guthrie Hill, Arbroath, in 2014 was another blow.
Now we have a councillor, Richard Moore, who thinks the homeless are responsible for the £2.4 million debt that grows by the year.
Mr Moore’s suggestion that the debt could be the result of repeat offenders claiming they are homeless to claim accommodation without intending to pay, and when pursued for the debt move on to another authority and do the same again is ridiculous.
For a Lib Dem councillor to suggest that “big brother tactics”, such as data matching with the DWP, be brought in to track homeless tenants is worrying.
It’s using a sledge hammer to crack a nut.
Angus Council’s strategic director Alan McKeown’s statement that council officers pursue these debtors assiduously flies in the face of reality.
Most of these people still stay in Angus and could be tracked down with a little more effort and commitment.
Robert Alexander.
39 Barry Road,
Carnoustie.
Fishing’s future looks grim
Sir, – The north east fishing communities voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU because they were promised by the Brexiteers that, once the UK left the EU, it would also leave the Common Fisheries Policy.
But now it seems that, for the next two years at least, during the “transition period”, the UK fisheries will continue to be subject to the CPF, which has caused outrage.
But it seems clear that, when the real horse-trading over the detail of the leave deal takes place, the likelihood of the interests of Scottish fishermen, who contribute only 1% of UK GDP, being a priority for the Westminster parliament is slim.
This is especially when compared to the city of London, or the UK car industry, or indeed anything which might adversely affect Tory voters in England.
Scottish fishing will be a bargaining chip, to be traded off against whatever is expedient for the greater good of the Brexit project. And once we are out of Europe, where will the north east fish processing industry, which is very dependent on Eastern European workers, find its staff?
And, of course, there will be tariffs on exports to Europe, the main market for Scottish fish.
In addition, given the importance for fish of rapid transit to these markets, how will the predicted chaos at the ports affect business?
And if they think that Ruth Davidson, who actually voted to remain, will put her personal interests on the line, against the hard Brexiteers in her own party, to fight the fishing corner, they will surely be disappointed.
Ms Davidson likes to be seen posing on top of tanks, but she has, so far, shown no inclination to stand in front of them.
I would suggest that all the fishing communities of Scotland should get behind the SNP, which is the only party with the interests of Scotland, and its people, truly at its heart.
Les Mackay.
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
Devil and the deep blue sea
Sir, – Like many others I was disappointed with the recent Brexit transition deal, particularly in relation to the fact that Scottish fishermen will have to wait until the end of the transition period until EU fishermen will stop plundering Scottish waters.
However for Nicola Sturgeon to scoff at the deal is sheer hypocrisy, as this is a woman who would stay in the EU and, by definition, would allow Scottish waters to be fished by EU fleets forever.
Mike Rogalski.
82 Feus Rd,
Perth.
Three cheers for the NHS
Sir, – There has been so much bad press given to the NHS, and I would like to share my positive experiences.
I was at Perth Royal Infirmary for two different appointments on the same day recently, followed by an overnight stay for a medical examination a while later, all of which was on time and efficiently handled.
From the nurses to the doctors, the porters to the anesthetists and theatre staff, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the professional care I received.
You are doing a sterling job. Keep up the good work.
John Cameron.
41 Invertilt Rd,
Blair Atholl.
Don’t axe our bus service
Sir, – I am concerned to read that Stagecoach propose to axe the no 75 bus which runs from Monifieth via Broughty Ferry low road to Dundee city centre.
This would mean that many residents, often elderly, will have no bus service at all – as it is, the service only operates on weekdays.
At the same time we, the public, are urged to use public transport to reduce traffic congestion and parking problems.
Michael Beattie.
9 Bayfield Gardens,
Broughty Ferry.
Bus service? Or buzz words?
Sir, – I see from posters on my local bus that Stagecoach are “revising” their fares from March 25.
If, like last year, none of their fares are “revised” downwards, can I ask that in future their forked-tongued publicists use the correct word, which would be “increased” lest we, the “stakeholders” who have not been “consulted” regarding this “revision” of fares, somehow become of the opinion that another of their buzzwords” – “customer service” (how we should be treated) – is actually a substitute for “contempt”.
Rob Pearce.
5 Elm Grove,
Arbroath.
All credit to Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir, – The world of football is full of ironies, upsets, extremes and even compassion.
We shouldn’t be too surprised that Sir Alex Ferguson has lent support to Cowdenbeath FC in their current quest for Scottish football league survival (The Courier, March 20).
Despite his successes with Aberdeen and Manchester United over the years, he has never forgotten the game has deep roots in local communities, north and south of the border.
Central Park and Old Trafford are polar opposites – one associated with near dereliction and despair, and the other with international glamour and success, but both still vital in the culture of the game.
I’m sure Sir Alex hasn’t forgotten his part in one of the most important games in Cowdenbeath’s history.
In the spring of 1970, the 29-year-old Ferguson played, alongside Andy Roxburgh, for Falkirk in a promotion tussle with the Blue Brazil at Central Park.
Cowdenbeath won 2-1 securing their return to the top tier Scottish division after a wait of 25 years.
Some would say this was justice overdue as the club had been unceremoniously sent back to the second Division at the end of the Second World War.
Certainly they were relegated within a season, and their ups and downs since have been well documented.
Its departure from senior Scottish league football in 2018 would be an unseemly end to 137 years of history.
It is to Sir Alex’s credit that he recognises not just the seriousness of the situation, but the need for football and communities to be intertwined.
Bob Taylor.
24 Shiel Court,
Glenrothes.
