A plea has been made for Glasgow’s council-owned historic buildings to be given safety inspections following a “damning report” on the state of Whiteinch Burgh Hall.
A structural report on the building raised serious concerns for public safety and pointed out a lack of maintenance as a key issue in the condition of the building, in the Victoria Park ward, which has been empty since 2002.
During Thursday’s full council meeting, Labour councillor Eunis Jassemi asked what policies were in place to protect buildings like Whiteinch.
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He has also launched a campaign in bid to save the hall and has been in contact with residents who have raised concerns as well as those living next to the building who have suffered from dampness seeping through into their property.
Councillor Jassemi said: “For too long there hasn’t been a proper plan to resurrect one of our treasured heritage buildings in the city and the structure report of the building I have here demonstrates what years of under investment and a lack of strategy in maintaining the building can do.
“Given the clear evidence we need a proactive approach which is not evident administration’s asset plan, will the convenor commit to having all council owned heritage properties to be yearly inspected with a full report so assurances can be given - not just to elected members but more importantly to our constituents that have to live next to them.”
The extent of the damage has not yet been made public, but the building was sealed off by the city council last month over safety concerns.
Councillor McLean City Convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets said he was aware of the issues of the Whiteinch Burgh Hall and that there was now a strategy in place to deal with it.
He said: “That is why we have many buildings across the city which have these problems. We are now trying to pick up the reins of this and clear up the problems that have been created over the years of neglect.
“ I am happy to pick up any suggestions you might have with officers to improve what we do. This has been a long term problem - not just one created in the last five years.
“I was elected in 2007 to serve Whiteinch. It was an issue for the community then and it still is an issue but we have a strategy where we are doing what we can.
“Any other ideas you may have - I am happy to discuss with officers.”
Councillor McLean also confirmed that since 2013 Glasgow City Council has spent over £270 million on heritage property projects within the city.
He added: “However funding is shrinking nationally and competition for access to these national funds is intensifying. The council remains committed to the preservation of investment on heritage assets.
“The council has an improved and agreed heritage assets plan and a heritage estate working group both or which are used to managing the heritage estate as effectively as we can with the resources at our disposal which are prioritised and dispersed accordingly.
“An update on this will be coming to committee soon.”
Speaking more on Whiteinch councillor McLean went on: “Work is underway and will be completed in the next couple of months. There might also be the possibility of providing some access to allow internal viewing of the property.
“Once the works have been completed, the halls will be marketed by city property on our behalf.”
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