An urgent motion calling for reports on damp and mould in West Lothian council homes after the death of a child in England has been delayed - as the same topic is to be discussed by the council later this week.
Bathgate SNP councillor Pauline Stafford had called for detailed risk analysis of how increased heating costs have and will continue to impact damp and mould within the housing estate.
That came after a report in the aftermath of the death in Greater Manchester of two year old Awaak Ishak. A coroner ruled that the boy’s death had been caused by damp and mould in his rented home.
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It also called for an improvement strategy to tackle damp and mould where cases have been identified.
She added: “We have a moral obligation to recognise and respond to the serious long term risks to health from sub-standard living conditions further exacerbated by the cost of living crisis.”
Members of the full council were advised however that a report will go before the Housing Services policy Development and Scrutiny Panel later this week
Provost Cathy Muldoon ruled that because a report is going to Thursday’s PDSP, covering the same subject, Councillor Stafford’s motion could not be heard, under existing Standing Orders.
SNP group leader Robert De Bold questioned this, arguing that there were material differences between the paper destined for the PDSP and his colleague’s motion.
He later told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The paper asks the PDSP to note and consider the five recommendations, Councillor Stafford’s motion called for action.”
The debate also followed reports last week of a mother who said her family has been plagued with health issues because of damp and mould in her house and who is refusing to return to the house even if repairs are carried out.
Carolanne Gemmell’s Winchburgh home is riddled with damp patches and black mould and has “water running down her walls” because of an issue with her roof, according to the West Lothian Courier.
Carolanne told a reporter she has been told it will be at least a year before her house is fit to live in again, but she is refusing to return, claiming the stress of all that has happened and loss of furniture and clothing has made her determined not to return.
It was reported that the council was trying to find alternative accommodation for the family while the was carried out.
The report set to got before the Housing Services PDSP on Thursday provides a background to the Manchester case and existing regulations governing house lettings in Scotland.
It outlines that the number of complaints of dampness in West Lothian Council homes has climbed from 49 in 2019 to 72 last year.
The detailed paper also outlines current measures that the Building Services team currently take to tackle dampness, and new measures which are set to be introduced later this year.
The paper concluded “The council actively engages with tenants regarding matters of dampness or condensation, and in development of the future housing capital investment programmes air quality and ventilation measures will be included along with energy efficiency measures including boiler replacements, double glazing and increased insulation.”
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