A CALL for fairness, flexibility and transparency for Tillicoultry residents affected by RAAC has been made.
Three blocks of flats on Chapelle Crescent, High Street and Park Street have been left vacant since September and October 2023 after concerns over the presence of RAAC, a concrete substance that can put buildings at risk of collapse.
After months of living in limbo, Clackmannanshire Council agreed last month to progress with two options which would see the roof on the blocks replaced and possibly the upgrading of the render on the outside of the buildings.
The development gave council officers the go-ahead to enter into negotiations to buy back homes for any residents looking to sell.
READ MORE: Clacks councillors agree way forward for Tillicoultry RAAC-hit homes
However a letter sent by the UK RAAC Campaign group – which represents homeowners across the UK – has now been sent to the local authority saying they are "increasingly alarmed" by the structure, fairness, and financial impact of the current loan offer.
It states: "While we fully support the need for structural repairs and accept that homeowners must play a role in funding the works, we are increasingly alarmed by the structure, fairness, and financial impact of the current loan offer.
"These concerns apply to homeowners with multiple properties and, crucially, to those with only one property who are being denied access to reasonable security options and face significant personal and financial strain."
The letter raises concerns over a proposed interest rate for home owners, saying the mooted 5.5 per cent is "unacceptably high".
It also calls into question a policy requiring homeowners to pay 50 per cent of the full works cost upfront if they wish to use their own finance, describing such a scheme as "punitive and exclusionary."
The group adds: "It effectively blocks residents from pursuing better, more affordable borrowing options, and pushes them toward the Council’s rigid and costly loan model.
"This runs counter to good practice in public service design and limits financial choice at a time when flexibility is essential."
Unclear and "potentially duplicative" administrative charges were also highlighted.
"Residents have also been told they must cover the council’s contract management costs, despite being assured by the contractor that they can manage and deliver the works directly," the group stated.
READ MORE: Tillicoultry woman says residents still in 'limbo' over RAAC nightmare
"This contradiction raises serious concerns around transparency of what the Council is charging for, value for money, especially where the Council holds a majority ownership stake and should be absorbing, not passing on, overhead costs."
With concerns also raised of the risk of negative equity and unfair buy-out, the group finished the letter asking for the council to:
- Review and revise the loan scheme, especially its interest rate and security terms;
- Provide transparency on the financial reasoning behind the interest rate and all additional charges;
- Explore alternative funding options that would enable a fairer, lower-interest scheme;
- Engage openly with affected homeowners and campaign representatives to co-design a more just and workable solution.
It added: "We remain committed to collaborating in good faith with the Council and urge you to prioritise solutions that protect residents, support community resilience, and uphold the principles of fairness, flexibility and transparency in public service delivery."
A spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council said: “We recognise what a worrying situation this has been for those affected.
"Council agreed on June 26 to move forward with repairs to the affected properties.
"Since then, meetings with individual owners have taken place to explore what further financial help and support could be available to them, and these confidential discussions will continue.”
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