Glasgow council leader regrets handling of cladding scare

Letters will be hand delivered to residents of private flats with combustible cladding similar to that on the Grenfell Tower.

Published 28th Sep 2017

The leader of Glasgow City Council says she regrets the way news of combustible cladding in private high rises in the city broke earlier this month.

Speaking to Clyde News, Susan Aitken told us: "Every resident in the affected buildings will receive a letter and we're going to deliver those by hand starting on Friday, and I would hope we'll have it finished by the end of the weekend. But we will do it my hand to make sure there's as little delay as possible."

The SNP group leader, who took over at the City Chambers following the council elections in May said she was disappointed by the way the story broke last week.

Susan Aitken (right) with Nicola Sturgeon

Planning official Raymond Barlow told Holyrood's Local Government Committee that the council had found cladding similar to that used on Grenfell Tower on 57 high rise blocks but had not informed residents or the fire service because they'd been asked to notify ministers first.

"I absolutely regret the information came out in the way it did last week prematurely and before it was complete. That shouldn't have happened and there's obviously work to be done within Glasgow City Council to address some of the weaknesses and issues which have emerged in the last week.

"At the moment there hasn't been any evidence emerged that there are serious problems in any of these buildings, that there's any immediate danger to anyone. If next steps are to be taken these are private buildings and they are the responsibility of the owners but the council will do all it can to provide support and guidance."

Scottish Government ministers were told yesterday 42 of the 57 blocks have been checked by the fire service.

The full audit should be completed tomorrow