Poverty and housing are council priorities
Cost of living impact on community is key concern for panel
Worries about housing and its impact on the prevalence of poverty are a “high priority” for Renfrewshire Council, an elected member has confirmed.
The topic was said to be a “key concern” for the lived experience panel – a group of people who inform policy on matters relating to the costof-living crisis – at a Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee meeting.
Councillor Graeme Clark, vice-chair of the sub-committee and Labour representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston, said the issue came up during a discussion with the panel.
Argyll and Bute, City of Edinburgh and Glasgow City councils have already declared housing emergencies of late with some elected members, such as Labour group leader Iain McMillan, suggesting Renfrewshire is close to doing so as well.
Councillor Clark explained: “One of their key concerns is to do with housing.
“Housing is another committee from this one but housing does affect poverty situations quite a lot.
“We know that a number of councils recently have spoken of a housing crisis within their situations.
“So, it would be good, according to this group, if we could look at this – not just as looking at council housing but also relating to housing agencies and looking across Renfrewshire, so that we can create new strategies in a time of crisis.
“That’s what they were looking for so hopefully we can move forward with that and I’m sure we will.”
Depute council leader Jacqueline Cameron, chair of the sub-committee and SNP representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, responded: “It was good to meet the lived experience panel.
“As you say, housing was very much on their minds as they were saying everything stems from housing.
“If your house isn’t heated properly then it can affect your health, if it’s damp, it can affect your health.
“We had a good chat about that and we’ll certainly be looking into that because we listen to them. We definitely do.”
Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of the communities and housing policy board, said the issue was “a high priority” for the service.
The SNP representative for Paisley Southeast added: “On that note, the housing department are already looking at that because I was aware of it.
“We’ve actually been aware of it for some time to be quite honest with you.
“We will feed back through to the communities and housing policy board of any updates we have on that.
“Be rest assured it definitely is a high priority for the department.”