CLAIRVOYANCE is not one of our skills, Community Beat Officer PC Mick Waters told Glendoe Residents when they met in Merkinch Community Centre on 19th July. “You must let us know.”

This remark, which was echoed by the housing authorities, referred to complaints about the anti-social behaviour of some of their neighbours.

Among these were: repairing and noisy revving of motors at three in the morning; tying up dogs all day so that people could not use their drying facilities or shed for the dirt and smell; theft of bicycles and other possessions from inadequately secure sheds. These were unacceptable said the police.

Other complaints addressed to the housing authorities included: tiny puppies and other dogs wandering all day; constant dripping from overflows; lack of wire washing lines; lack of participation by some tenants – estimated at 40% – in stair cleaning (some stairs are even being used as a toilet according to some); upgrading fencing, doors and kitchens; the need for better parking facilities and upgrading of pavements.

All present at the meeting – at which the Glendoe Terrace Residents Association (GTRA) was officially constituted – agreed to work together to improve the quality of life for those on the terrace. Voted chairman was Dawn McGivern, while vice-chairman is Joyce Macleod; secretary, Lynn Campbell; and treasurer, Nicky Campbell.

Already in hand, the meeting heard, was the erection of green metal security fencing, and it was agreed that this would be carried out from the high numbers down, contrary to the usual practice of starting at No.1 and working up; the first three blocks were being done soon.

While new kitchens were not on the immediate agenda, residents could expect the CCTV cameras to be operational within weeks, although they were warned that “the glitches in these systems can be horrendous!”

Councillor Chrissie Cumming, who chaired the meeting until the election of Dawn McGivern, said that she had recently made a site visit with housing officials and agreed with tenants’ complaints.

With regard to the coming changes in local authority housing ownership she reassured the meeting, “We are not handing over and walking away.”

All agreed to forget past difficulties and to pull together to address their not inconsiderable present. Members are to meet regularly to draw up and monitor a rolling programme of improvements.