Councillor accused of ‘cheap shot’ over housing mould criticism

Perth’s housing convener has defended the council’s “self help” policy after it was accused of indifference towards tenants.

Residents complained they had been handed bleach spray after complaining of black mould in their properties, with one told to patch up cracks in the plaster.

Peter Barratt accused his predecessor Dave Doogan of firing a “cheap shot” at the local authority and insisted the policy was introduced when Mr Doogan held the post.

SNP leader Mr Doogan, who served as housing convener under the previous administration, said the council should be addressing the underlying causes of the problems instead of providing short-term solutions.

His Liberal Democrat successor said: “Dave Doogan’s comments were a gross distortion of the facts and a cheap shot at the housing service.

“For the record, the responsive repairs policy and the provision of anti-fungicidal mould treatment kits were brought in while Councillor Doogan was housing convener.

“If he doesn’t think these are good enough then he only has himself to blame. But frankly I don’t believe he thinks that for one minute. It just reeks of hypocrisy.”

He added that the council’s housing inspectors had received specialist training on the diagnosis and treatment of the causes of damp and mould.

Mr Barratt added: “Property inspectors are required to revisit tenants one month after receiving mould treatment packs to identify if there has been an improvement and to provide further advice and support if needed. Damp is something we take seriously.”