Council doesn’t replace lead as it will get nicked
STOLEN lead won’t get replaced from empty local authority buildings in Glasgow as it would only get nicked again, a council boss has admitted.
David McEwan, a corporate asset management director, said the theft of lead accelerates the deterioration of vacant properties. After it is stolen, Glasgow City Council workers opt for liquid plastic as a replacement instead of metal – despite the “exorbitant” cost – as it won’t be swiped.
Explaining the problem to councillors, McEwan said it is difficult for staff to realise lead has been stripped from a roof just by looking at the outside of properties.
He made the comments at a council meeting in response to concerns raised by councillor Jim Kavanagh about old council buildings not being kept watertight.
McEwan said: “We would love to be in a position to be able to maintain
these buildings in a good condition. However, what we tend to find is the biggest problem with buildings like this is when they are declared surplus the first thing that goes is the lead. The lead gets stolen from the roof. When you are not in occupation of the building it is very difficult to determine if lead has been removed from a roof before it is too late.”
Speaking at last week’s Contracts and Property Committee, McEwan said:
“Our colleagues in city property do the best they can. They have got a regime where they go around the empty buildings and do external checks etc.
“But the lead could be off a building for quite some time before it becomes manifest because there is nobody in occupation. When there is nobody in the building it is very difficult.”
The issue came to light as councillors heard how Haghill Primary School is to be sold off for housing.