Stolen lead wouldn’t being 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. 

READ MORE: Haghill school site to be sold off by Glasgow City Council for housing

Explaining the problem to councillors, Mr 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.

Mr 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 this week's Contracts and Property Committee, Mr 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 and stuff like that.

“But the lead could be off a building for quite sometime before it becomes manifest because there is nobody in occupation. If there is somebody in the building the minute there is a drip in the ceiling you know about it. When there is nobody in the building it is very difficult. 

“That is why sometimes buildings will look absolutely intact from the outside but inside they are soaked because the lead has been stripped off them. 

“We wouldn’t replace it with lead, we would use liquid plastic as it is something that can’t be stolen again. The cost of that is really exorbitant.”

The issue came to light as councillors heard the B-listed Haghill Primary school and schoolhouse in Dennistoun is to be sold off for affordable housing.

Demolition is taking place at the site but some of the original architectural façade with sandstone/materials from the building will be repurposed in the new development. 

Mr McEwan added: “All of our money is getting spent on operational estate rather than our non operational estate. It is a really challenging context.

“But the point is not lost – if we maintain these buildings they would be in better condition to get more money as they get sold on. But we don’t operate in a space where we can afford to maintain them to that level.”  Negotiations are due to kick off to agree terms and conditions for the ‘off market disposal’ of the old Haghill Primary school.

It is to be purchased by Milnbank Housing Association.