PROBLEMS experienced by a Kelty property owner may see Fife Council opting for a new mechanism over certain types of shared repairs.

Ronald Sievewright, of Black Road, was contacted by the local authority about repairs to the mutual front steps of 2/4 Oak Street, plus platt and roughcast to the side walls of the property.

He was informed that the cost of the work would total £2,065.80 with his share being £1, 032.90.

After receiving the letter from the council Housing Services department he contacted a family member who is a time served tradesman who agreed to undertake the entire project.

When the final costs were worked out he was able to ensure the project would be complete with the council just having to pay £44.08 for materials.

He believed he was doing the local authority a real favour by getting the whole job done for a cost of just over £40 to the local authority.

So when he received a bill for £22.04 for his share of the materials, not surprisingly he was very unhappy and spoke to Councillor Alex Campbell about the issue.

Said Councillor Campbell: “There definitely seems to be a real anomaly here.

“Mr Sievewright has been able to get the job done through his family member, at a fraction of the cost to the council, yet they bill him for half of the materials.

“That really is ridiculous. The work done was inspected and was passed as being up to council standard so it seems incredible that they want money from the shared owner who had saved the local authority over £1,000 through his efforts.”

Mr Campbell has spoken to Housing Services and added: “It was agreed that there needs to be a re-think on shared ownership projects when this sort of situation occurs.

“A bit of common sense is really all that is needed.”