A RIVER Clyde Homes board member has challenged a fellow Greenock councillor to join him as a row over a 115 per cent hike in heating bills in Broomhill grows.

Conservative Councillor Graeme Brooks hit back after Councillor Colin Jackson, of Labour, demanded that they do more to protect thousands of residents across Inverclyde who are tied to community biomass boilers.

READ MORE: Inverclyde residents exposed to more rises in heating bills

It was revealed in the Tele that unlike those on conventional gas and electric systems, they are not protected by a regulator and are more exposed to increases in bills.

Last week Cllr Jackson repeatedly criticised the board for failing to act to save thousands of people across Inverclyde who are tied to similar systems and could be hit by severe hardship in the coming months as a result.

(Image: George Munro) But Cllr Brooks who is the only remaining councillor on the RCH after the SNP's Chris Curley stood down, said Cllr Jackson should now take up the vacant place.

(Image: George Munro)

He said: "I understand the concerns raised regarding the costs of biomass heating systems and have carefully considered the impact the recent price increases would have on households.

"Councillor Jackson will know that Inverclyde Council have two seats on the RCH board, and if he is calling for the board to stop any more rises, why not join me on the board, whereby we can work together to serve the RCH customers by ensuring that RCH is a successful a vibrant company."

(Image: George Munro)

He also went on to demand that the Labour councillor lobbies the UK government over increased tax rises for businesses at the recent budget and reverse tax hikes.

The Broomhill councillor has repeatedly called on the RCH to act, after the housing association imposed the increases, leaving residents unable to afford to heat their homes or run hot water.

Cllr Jackson hit back at the councillor, claiming people are being pushed into poverty.

He said: "I don't want to get into a war of words with Cllr Brookes or the RCH board, I just want him and them to accept responsibility for pushing residents into fuel poverty, and that they could, if they had the will, reverse this decision.

"Councillor Brooks and the board are aware these residents are paying nearly three times as much for their heating than someone with gas central heating, that is a fact.

"They need to stop pedalling the idea that biomass heating is cheaper, it is not.

"As for blaming the budget, this was a decision made by RCH in 2023 and passed on to tenants in January 2024, ten months before the budget, take some responsibility and stop blaming others."