Target times amended for resolution of neighbour disputes

Moray councillors today agreed to change the target times for resolving neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour involving council tenants.

The changes will be the subject of consultation with the public before being ratified.

The council’s communities committee was told that the total number of complaints dealt with had exceeded 500 in each of the last two years.

Locally agreed timescales for resolving incidents date back to 2003 when the council set a 20-day target, irrespective of how serious the incidents were considered.

Neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour are placed in one of three categories, ranging from very serious anti-social behaviour which normally involves criminal activity to minor disputes between two neighbours.

The committee agreed to retain the 20-day target for the most serious cases but to increase the target times for intermediate and more minor cases to 35 days and 40 days respectively.

The amended timescales will now be the subject of a three-week public consultation, the outcome of which will be reported back to councillors in March.

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.