Irvine Times | News | Council given a week to hand back wardens

Saturday, 5th July, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 23rd April, 2008 10:30

Council given a week to hand back wardens

By Kevin Dyson

Comments (0)

Print Article

SOCIAL SERVICES bosses will have one week to decide whether to reinstate the area’s sheltered housing wardens or face legal action after receiving a letter from top human rights lawyer Cameron Fyfe.

Mr Fyfe sent the letter on behalf of one Springside resident to North Ayrshire Council last Wednesday officially asking them to reconsider their position and reinstate the service.

The council were given a fortnight to reply to the letter from the solicitor from the date they received notice.

Mr Fyfe, who is one of Scotland’s leading human rights lawyer and has fought against the tobacco industry and Catholic church on behalf of abuse victims, told the Times that should NAC opt to ignore the plea a case will be mounted in court.

A spokesperson for the Save the Wardens campaign welcomed the fact that there was movement on the legal front.

However he told the Times: “I am worried that the council will or could use that 14-day response period to try to pull some master strokes as bargaining ploys with the Judicial review, local media, etc.

“It would have been nice but unrealistic - if their past and current actions are anything to go by - to accept that there is a case to be answered by them and they should, at worst, cease-and-desist or, at best, roll back whatever actions they have already implemented like return the wardens let loose already instead of continuing to play fast, furious and footloose with the rules hoping to bulldoze their way through it.”

Andrew Fraser, Legal Services Manager at NAC, told us: “A letter from Ross Harper Solicitors was received on April 18 the contents of which are being considered.

“A response will be issued in due course.”

Comments