North Lanarkshire’s SNP group is calling for the local authority to take immediate action to combat mould and damp in council homes.
They have submitted a motion ahead of the next full meeting of North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) calling for a comprehensive engagement process with tenants to immediately identify and address instances of mould, dampness, and condensation in council homes.
In recent weeks Lanarkshire Live has highlighted instances of families with children living in damp and mouldy conditions in council homes in North Lanarkshire.
Motherwell mum-of-three Laura Nicholson told us how her son who has asthmatic had been admitted to hospital three times in a matter of weeks with breathing difficulties, which she claimed is down to living in their flat in Freesia Court which has black mould and damp patches.
“I’m crying out for help and I feel like I’m getting nowhere,” Laura told us. “It’s like I’m being ignored and my children’s lives are at risk.
"I don’t know where else to turn with this and it’s affecting our health.”
And a week later we highlighted the plight of mum-of-two Cheryl Kerr from Shotts whose council home in Uig Way was not only found to be damp but also have asbestos under the floor.
The 41-year-old, who has fibromyalgia, said: “It’s not safe for my children to live here. It’s also dangerous for me because of my illness.”
The SNP group in North Lanarkshire are also highlighting the inquest around the tragic death in 2020 of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, which was confirmed as having occurred due to a respiratory condition caused by mould in his Rochdale home.
According to them, councillors in North Lanarkshire have received numerous reports from council home tenants in recent years about mould, dampness, and condensation in their properties, which is often caused by poor ventilation, low temperatures, and insufficient insulation.
They claim that many tenants also report related health concerns and respiratory conditions which they believe have either been caused or exacerbated by mould.
Councillor Tracy Carragher, leader of the SNP Group at NLC, said: “The Tory cost of living crisis means many more people will struggle this winter to keep their home warm and to stave off the spread of mould, causing debilitating ill health or worse.
"As Scotland’s largest local authority landlord, it is incumbent on NLC to ensure all of their homes are in good condition, habitable, and safe at all times.
"We call on all political parties and none to support this motion and ensure proactive and immediate action is taken in the best interests of NLC tenants”.
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