A GREENOCK pensioner has accused housing bosses of a 'gross misuse of funds' after scaffolding he thought had been erected for dismantling a chimney was removed after a month without the work being done.

Michael Grana, 74, says how River Clyde Homes used the structure for a leak repair but didn't keep it up in order for a planned chimney job to be carried out.

Mr Grana, of Finnieston Street, insists that the housing association could have done both jobs at once in order to save on the costs of the scaffolding.

He said that three out of four households in his block were given a quote for the removal of the chimney and are happy to pay their share but have been left confused about what work is being done and when.

Mr Grana said: "The scaffolding went up on June 6 and came down on the July 10, and as far as we knew this was to remove the chimney that we had agreed to pay our share of.

"I only found out by chance speaking to someone from their contractor Homefix Scotland that they were out to fix a leak to the roof at number 18.

"It's an empty house so we won't be billed for the repair at number 18 but I'm still not happy about it.

"Why didn't they use the scaffolding for both jobs. We got the bill through and it costs around £1,000 to hire the scaffolding alone.

"We are happy to pay our share of the £1,566.

"The chimney was enclosed in scaffolding, I am assuming that it costs the same to erect the scaffolding again to remove the chimney.

"Scaffolding has been put up and you have been spending money repairing a leak to a roof, and there is a major job not 10ft away waiting to be done, that's more cost."

Mr Grana, who lives with his wife Sheila, said: "We received a letter saying scaffolding would be erected in the middle of May and they would be carrying out these works to remove the chimney. I have no idea when the work will be done. How long is a piece of string?

"It is a gross misuse of public funds."

A RCH Group spokesperson said, "The repairs raised against the block are one in the same.

"We have carried out a temporary repair until agreement by all residents has been sought.

"Quotes to the three owners will be sent out this week and once we receive their approval we will remove the chimney.

"We understand the resident's concern in relation to the lack of communication and can only apologise for the inconvenience."