Council plans to evict a school janitor from his tied house have been put on hold following the intervention of politicians.
An 11th-hour appeal by ward councillor and Labour group leader Kevin Keenan to administration leader Ken Guild has led to an eviction hearing at the sheriff court being adjourned for a week to allow for negotiations to continue.
Jim Hayter, 61, who has lived at Sidlaw View schoolhouse with his family for 14 years, only found out in December he was to be evicted after his daughter heard a rumour in the classroom.
Kevin Keenan had appealed to the council’s legal chief, Roger Mennie, to halt the legal action but, after receiving “little success”, he turned his appeals to Mr Guild.
Mr Keenan says the council’s approach is “far too heavy-handed and no way for the council to treat anyone, particularly one of its employees.”
He told the administration leader he was calling on him “to intervene politically and instruct officers of council to stop the eviction process and to leave no stone unturned as they look for a solution for Mr and Mrs Hayter”.
Mr Guild responded by saying he had contacted Mr Mennie to discuss the court action.
He told Mr Keenan: “He has advised me that it has had to be raised because of the significant financial and other implications for the Baldragon Academy project if the council do not have vacant possession of the schoolhouse.
“He confirmed, however, that the council are continuing to liaise with Mr Hayter at the same time to try to reach a mutually satisfactory negotiated solution, in which case the eviction action will be unnecessary and can be cancelled.
“I also understand that Mr Hayter and his wife have been offered several properties by the council already, that the housing associations have also been contacted and have said that they will assist if they can and that, in addition, the housing department are looking on a daily basis for suitable properties for the Hayter family.”
Sheriff McMillan allowed the adjournment and the case will call again next Thursday.