Living Rent’s Govanhill branch is holding a community clean up today over ‘unsanitary conditions’ in area

CAMPAIGNERS are to hold a community clean up as they demand action from council bosses over “unsanitary conditions” in the South Side.

Living Rent members in Govanhill are holding a day of action today, including a two hour litter pick followed by a protest.

The group said its message is clear – there must be investment, enforcement and education in the community – and urgently.

But a spokesman for the council said the idea was “absurd” to suggest there had been insufficient investment in Govanhill, pointing to £34 million spent on buying and repair flats.

The spokesman also said the community had received “bespoke services and significant resources” to address problems with rubbish, fly tipping and appalling back court conditions.

A spokesman for Living Rent said the campaign had received “unanimous support” in the area, despite the challenges of contacting residents during the Covid-19 crisis, and that the group is calling for increased investment.

An online petition has gained 700 signatures of support and the group is hoping for locals to back its protest today.

He said: “We are pushing for long term solutions to this problem and there is no substitute for investment.

“When it comes to fly tipping, enforcement is extremely lacking – there must be investment in the area.”

Local councillor Soryia Siddique said she had started to receive an increase in locals contacting her with concerns, leading her to raise the issue at a full council meeting this week.

She said: “There has been an increase in cleansing complaints from the local community and cleansing concerns were also discussed by the local housing association, which I have also raised at full council.

“Issues are around the new collection cycle causing overspill, vermin and lack of communication from Glasgow City Council.

“Govanhill is now also without a neighbourhood officer and the replacement must be a priority to ensure cleansing challenges are addressed.”

A spokesman for the council said: “It is absurd to suggest there has been a lack of investment in Govanhill.

“The acquisition and repairs programme alone committed £34m to upgrade 100s of homes that were then transferred into the ownership of the local housing association.

“This transformed factoring arrangements for multiple closes and backcourts and that has helped address many issues that stemmed from poor property management in the area.

“But Govanhill has also received bespoke services backed by significant resources intended to deal with the cleansing issues affecting the community.

“The streets of Govanhill are serviced daily with tonnes of fly-tipping removed every week while dedicated pest control and environmental health services continue to operate in the area.

“Govanhill is also the only community in Glasgow to have its own neighbourhood coordinator, who links with police, housing associations and all council departments to address a wide range of issues.

“We always welcome the efforts of concerned citizens who embark upon community clean-ups as this helps build pride and resilience within a neighbourhood.

“However, it is clear that back courts are private property and their maintenance is therefore the responsibility of owners, factors or residents.”

Living Rent’s Govanhill branch will meet at the main Queen’s Park gates at the top of Victoria Road at 10am where groups will be organised and allocated streets to clean.

The protest will be held at noon back at the main gates.