CONCERN has been raised over the state of council property - The Carrick Buildings - on Girvan’s Henrietta Street.

Residents feel that the property, which serves as a Jobcentre for the town, is in a ‘dire’ state and requires some much needed TLC.

The building has previously been used as an education and learning centre run by South Ayrshire Council but now serves as a facility for the DWP.

The issue was addressed at a Girvan and District community council meeting recently. Members discussed the problems of several buildings whose exterior needed repaired. 

Karen McCartney claimed ‘some of the council apartments in Girvan were in a dire state, some with the outer façade cracked and showing the building materials’.

She believed this has left them in danger of erosion with the weather. 
Another member who attended the public meeting added that the Carrick Buildings were suffering the same issue.

It was raised in relation to the issues of property maintenance, and generally other issues that people were unsure of how, or where to report such problems with South Ayrshire Council.

South Ayrshire Council’s ‘care and repair service’ claims to offer independent advice and assistance to help homeowners repair, improve or adapt their home so that they can live in comfort and safety in their community.

But the service is only available to those aged 60 and above. Those under 60 have to be referred by social work and health.

The property and risk service and improvement plan, which runs until 2018, states that the department will contribute towards the achievement of: land and building assets that are well maintained, fit for purpose and affordable as well as governance arrangements that provide an effective framework for decision making and scrutiny.

Donald Gillies, South Ayrshire Council’s Head of Property and Risk, said: “The Carrick Buildings are routinely inspected.

“We’re currently reviewing the exterior to assess whether the property requires any additional maintenance. If so, we’ll discuss the timescale, and potential costs needed to complete the work with the buildings co-occupiers.”