Bruce and McInnes demand grounds maintenance action

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Aug 2008

Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce and Aberdeenshire MSP Alison McInnes have urged the Greenbelt Group to keep up grounds maintenance on sites across Aberdeenshire.

The Lib Dem parliamentarians have been contacted by residents of several estates who are concerned that they are being made to pay for maintenance that has not taken place. A local survey indicated that out of nine local estates maintained by Greenbelt Group, none of the respondents were happy with the service they received. Several have also reported being threatened with court action and late payment charges.

Mrs McInnes and Mr Bruce have written to the Managing Director of Greenbelt, urging him to take action. They have also written to the Minister for Community Safety, Fergus Ewing MSP, asking what action the Scottish Government plans to take.

Commenting, Malcolm Bruce, Lib Dem MP for Gordon said:

"I was first made aware of problems with this company last summer in relation to a development in Insch. At the time, I contacted the Managing Director and was assured that the problem related to a particular contractor and would be addressed.

"I am disappointed that similar problems seem to have arisen this summer. I have written to Greenbelt asking that they take action to maintain these spaces as a matter of urgency, and an assurance that this problem will not recur.

Aberdeenshire MSP Alison McInnes commented:

"When this matter was debated at Holyrood in September last year, Fergus Ewing was keen to stress that the Government would pursue this matter vigorously with Greenbelt.

"I am sure the Minister will be as disappointed as I am that lessons do not appear to have been learned. I will therefore be asking him what steps the Scottish Government plans to take to make sure that homeowners receive a satisfactory service in the future.