Ladywell/Howden/Knightsridge - Report for November 1972

Once again, I have found this month that new tenants are generally in employment, able to furnish their houses, and well prepared for coming here in that they know what to expect and are ready to make an effort to settle.

I would like to report that SWD is now fully staffed and much more able to take referrals from HV (LDC policy of more selective letting has also helped here). The SWD is now split into two teams – one for Ladywell/Howden/Calders and one for Craigshill/Balerno/Currie. This agrees with the areas of LDC HVs and AHOs.

There is an impression in the town that the employment situation is improving – several men I have known as long-term unemployed have started jobs. Again, the policy of selection has helped.

Three families I have spoken to are using a rented house as a ‘stop-gap’ until they can find accommodation to suit their (middle class) needs. It seems unfortunate that the town should lose these people to Bathgate, Edinburgh etc. As we do not provide housing which is ‘exclusive’ or ‘expensive’ enough.

We will be faced again this winter with many cases of disconnected electricity. Is there no way in which this can be prevented?

The information sheet for Knightsridge tenants has not yet been received, and Rev. Hughes has communicated his anxiety to me about the possibility a temporary community hall for the area.

I would like to note that the tenants of Whinbank seem particularly disconnected, although they do not mix with one another (or because they do not mix with one another)

Report on Home Visits by Assistant housing officer – Tenancies commencing Dec 1970

No of home visits = 141

“      “     “     revisited = 19

 The name of one elderly person was notified to the Secretary of the Livingston Old People’s Welfare Council.

One lady expressed the wish to help in the delivery of Meals on Wheels and also to visit an elderly person. Three people volunteered to help with work at Craig’ Farm. These offers of help have been passed to the agencies concerned.

On several visits, it was found that the tenant (and/or his wife) had given up jobs on moving to Livingston and have been unable to find employment. There are danger signs with one or two families and they will be revisited during February to assess the latest position. Young people are still finding difficulty in obtaining work. A call at the Department of Employment confirmed the fact that jobs are extremely scarce.

Visits to the Ladywell area proved to be much more time consuming that visits nearer the centre of the town. Tenants were eager to know everything there is to know about the facilities provided in the town and the activities. Mothers are still anxious about the schooling as it appears that even with the new school due to open in Howden in the near future, children from the same family will go to different schools at Primary level. The transport problem causes much worry to parents in the Sedgebank-Ryebank area. The service bus does not always arrive and the children are late for school.

Complaints have been few from tenants in Ladywell – no condensation problems reported from this area. However, tenants in Burbank complain of excessive noise from Potterton Warm Air Heating Units. The level of noise is not acceptable – it interferes with enjoyment of radio and television and causes unnecessary irritation in families.

Bison flats visited brought the usual complaints of dampness – these were all reported to the District Office.



Public Artwork was integrated into
many of Livingston's new housing areas



Stray dogs are once again causing a nuisance in the town.

A post card conveying the good wishes of the Development Corporation and offering to revisit homes is now being left at houses where the tenant is out when a call is made.

February 1971.