Dundee Labour leader Kevin Keenan has revealed he fears an asbestos discovery will result in Kirkton families failing to benefit from energy-saving improvements.
Councillor Keenan feels the council has reneged on a promise to apply external cladding to privately owned homes in West Kirkton.
Mr Keenan insists he has been contacted by several frustrated constituents who have expressed concerns that only council properties have had work carried out.
Residents now feel a recent discovery of asbestos may have pushed improvement work back further.
Mr Keenan said: “A few years ago the council wrote out to the residents of West Kirkton advising under various government energy efficiency policies the opportunity may arise to externally clad all the houses – owners and occupiers as well as council.
“It is really regrettable that the council has been unable to come up with the funds to offer the same service to the residents of the Dale’s and that only the council’s own properties will be receiving this work at this particular time.”
Mr Keenan added the sight of men in white suits removing asbestos from council properties has caused added concern.
He revealed: “I have received a number of calls from concerned local residents who are seeing individuals going around completely clad in white overalls.
“These individuals are removing asbestos from the properties where the work is to be carried out.
“My own understanding is that if asbestos is not disturbed, then it is not an issue however, I have written to council officers to seek that level of clarification.
“I also wonder if the need for this asbestos removal has been the determining factor in those owner/occupiers not being afforded this work.
“I will again seek clarification from officers of the council on this too although I continue to hope that they will come up with the funds which will allow an offer to be made to owner/occupiers in the future.”
Councillor John Alexander, convener of neighbourhood services said: “We’ve invested £25 million in tackling fuel poverty through external wall insulation with £3 million being recently agreed at committee.
“We continue to fully fund council tenants properties as it is ultimately their rents which pay for the work. It would be inappropriate to use these funds to fund private homeowners.
“The crux of the matter is that we are committed to tackling fuel poverty, have put our money where our mouth is with £25 million of investment but decisions made in the halls of Westminster have prevented us from improving things for these residents at present. We will however, continue to look at funding options available.”
