North Lanarkshire Council's SNP group is to present a motion calling for more to be done to tackle mould, dampness and condensation in tenanted properties.

The motion - to be heard at this year's final full council session on Thursday, December 15 - refers to the death in 2020 of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale which was attributed to respiratory disease caused by mould in his home.

The group says its councillors regularly receive complaints about housing problems arising from poor ventilation, low temperatures and insufficient insulation, as well as related heath issues.

SNP group leader, councillor Tracy Carragher, said: “The Tory cost-of-living crisis means many more people will struggle this winter to keep their home warm and to stave off the spread of mould, causing debilitating ill health or worse.

“As Scotland’s largest local authority landlord, it is incumbent on North Lanarkshire Council to ensure all of their homes are in good condition, habitable, and safe at all times.

“We call on all [political parties to support this motion] and ensure proactive and immediate action is taken in the best interests of North Lanarkshire Council tenants”.

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However, housing convener, councillor Heather McVey, hit back, saying: "The NLC SNP group motion is political opportunism. 

"It is an attempt to link the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak of Rochdale to housing conditions in North Lanarkshire. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“The council takes its responsibilities extremely seriously.

"In the most recent landlord report from the Scottish Housing Regulator, it was found that the council delivered repairs to a very high standard, with 98.5% of reactive repairs completed ‘right first time’ compared with a Scottish average of 88.3%.

"94.8% of tenants who had repairs carried out were satisfied against a Scottish average of 88% and we also complete our emergency and non-emergency repairs faster than the Scottish average.

“The council responds immediately to issues which arise within properties and takes any action necessary to ensure homes are safe.

“It is essential that tenants follow the advice which is routinely issued about ventilating and heating their homes to minimise the risk of condensation and mould.

"This includes the importance of leaving trickle vents open and keeping extractor fans on where fitted.

"North Lanarkshire Council is the biggest council housing landlord and this has enabled us to create support for tenants that other authorities have not, such as the Universal Credit assistance fund and the rent relief fund.

“We employ a team of income maximisers to assist tenants too, within housing.  All to make sure tenants can maximise their incomes to heat and ventilate their homes. 

"The SNP group wants homes that are habitable. The Labour-led council want homes that are of a high quality standard, well maintained, warm and safe that meets the needs and the aspirations of our tenants, the Scottish Quality Housing Regulator agrees.”

The meeting will be broadcast via the council website and will begin at 4pm.