COUNCILLORS HAVE AGREED to a change in the target times for resolving neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour that involves their tenants.
However, no changes will be made until the matter has been subjected to a public consultation period has been concluded.
On Tuesday the communities committee heard that the total number of complaints in Moray had exceeded 500 in each of the last two years. Locally agreed timescales for resolving such incidents date back to 2003 – at a time when the council set a 20-day target irrespective of how serious the incidents might be.
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.
Now 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 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.