Timeline of community alarm service
The community alarm charges have been a hot topic since the announcement back in July.
Here is how the Wishaw Press have covered the story.
July 13 – North Lanarkshire Council reveal they will be introducing a £5 a week charge starting August 1.
July 20 – Readers flock to our Facebook page to debate the new charge, calling it‘disgusting’and ‘shocking’.
July 27 – Councillor David Stocks, leader of the council’s SNP group, slams the council branding them‘heartless’.
However, North Lanarkshire’s leader and deputy leader defended the community alarm charge and blamed Scottish Government cuts for the move.
August 3 – The alarm charge starts despite politicians Marion Fellows and Neil Gray expressing their anger whilst Councillors Rosa Zambonini and Robert McKendrick wrote to North Lanarkshire Council.
August 10 – Pensioners who have cancelled the service are told they face up to a month long wait to have the service removed.
North Lanarkshire Council reveal they have been hit with a 20 per cent decrease in the number of users.
August 31 – Councillor Sam Love fears someone will be found dead following the charges as he talks to concerned residents at Coltness and Central Wishaw Community Council’s.
Now – Angry residents get more than 1500 signatures for a petition which is sent in to North Lanarkshire Council to make them re-think their plans for the service.
Letters are also sent to those who have cancelled the service detailing their payment plans for the upcoming year.