A Leslie writer is staging a sit-in at Fife Council’s headquarters in Glenrothes in a protest over the heating at his flat.
Michael Kelly, 55, described conditions at his home in Greenside as “sub-zero” and said he has to sleep under five blankets and a quilt at night to keep warm.
He told The Courier he started his sit-in in the reception area of Fife House on Monday. He said his lawyers had written to the local authority about his request for insulated walls, an upgraded heating system and bigger radiators.
“It’s just a joke,” he said. “The radiators in my home are tiny and the council has refused to fix bigger radiators.”
Mr Kelly wrote the play And All Because The Ladies Love A Right Guid Gab, which was toured by the Goldfish Theatre Company last year. He said his home was built in the 18th century and, without insulation, retained little heat.
“The council claims to be the greenest council in Scotland but it’s just totally ignoring us so I’ve gone to Fife House to get warmed up.”
Keith Brown, Fife Council maintenance and improvement team leader, said: “We’re aware of Mr Kelly’s protest at Fife House. We would encourage him to use the official council complaints procedure if he has any new issues he would like to raise.
“We’ve been trying to work with Mr Kelly for a number of years now regarding this property.
“Over the years work has included visits from a number of housing officers and heating engineers with a view to ensuring the heating was working efficiently.
“We identified a number of radiators to be replaced. Unfortunately, Mr Kelly wasn’t at home when the engineers called to carry out this work and he never called to rearrange his appointment.
“Mr Kelly refused to have his heating upgraded two years ago. His heating is again due to be upgraded in August this year.
“These works will provide an A-rated gas boiler and replacement radiators to improve energy efficiency and reduce running costs.
“Hopefully Mr Kelly will work with us so that we can make sure this necessary upgrade can be carried out to maintain our property for years to come.”