Renfrewshire councillors are set to consider the findings of a review into housing and garden maintenance issues which concluded there is no evidence of systemic failures within council services.
The report was commissioned following concerns raised at Renfrewshire Council’s Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board, which requested further investigation into four key areas: the public’s interaction with council services, communication between departments, issues affecting flatted and communal garden areas, and sanctions available for antisocial tenants.
Officers found that concerns relating to housing and garden maintenance continue to feature in neighbour disputes and can contribute to antisocial behaviour where problems are not resolved at an early stage.
The report highlights common issues in communal and flatted developments, including fly-tipping, dog fouling, bulky waste, overgrown gardens, blocked access routes and disputes between neighbours over shared outdoor spaces.
However, the review concludes that the council already has legally compliant systems in place for early intervention, mediation, enforcement action and partnership working with organisations including Police Scotland and housing associations.
It states there is “no evidence of systemic failure, unmet statutory duties, or deficiencies requiring additional enforcement powers, policy changes, or new resources.”
Instead, officers say the main opportunities for improvement relate to clearer public guidance, better coordination between services and improved communication with residents, particularly in mixed-tenure developments where responsibility for maintenance can be unclear.
The report notes that residents can sometimes contact multiple council departments before receiving joined-up advice when housing, environmental and antisocial behaviour issues overlap.
It also identifies gaps in public-facing information, particularly around garden maintenance responsibilities and reporting routes, although officers say work is already underway to improve guidance on the council’s website.
Councillors are being asked to note the findings of the review and agree that no further investigation, new policy frameworks or changes to enforcement powers are required.
The report will be considered at the next meeting of Full Council at Renfrewshire Council on Monday, 22nd June.