AN Inverclyde councillor has resigned from the board of the district’s largest housing association in protest at its decision to increase rent charges.

Tommy McVey said he could not support River Clyde Homes’ decision to increase fees.

He believes the move will have a damaging impact on struggling families in the area.

The Tele understands that rent for RCH tenants will rise by four per cent after a boardroom vote.

Councillor McVey, who serves as an independent councillor in the Inverclyde South area, today confirmed he had quit after being contacted by the Tele.

He said: “There was a board meeting last month and I did not agree with the level of rent increase which was being proposed for 2018/19.

“We are living in times of austerity where benefits have been more or less frozen and wages have stagnated for many years.

“In my opinion this level of rent increase will put further strain on the hard-pressed family budget of River Clyde Homes customers and I cannot support it.

“I am disappointed to be leaving the board but I am of the opinion that it would be inappropriate for me to remain a member given that I could not support the rent increase.

“Other than that I do not wish to make any further comment.”

The Tele understands that Cllr McVey had raised concerns about a ‘significant’ overspend by River Clyde Homes which he felt had led to the increase in rent charges.

Albert Henderson, chair of the board, said he was sorry to see Councillor McVey leave and insisted that the rent changes had been backed by customers who took part in a consultation.

He said: “I’d like to thank Tommy McVey for his input to the River Clyde Homes board in recent months. 

“His views and opinions will be missed. 

“We had over 600 responses from customers to our recent rent consultation and 83 per cent agreed to the proposal to restrict the increase to the rate of inflation (RPI). 

“The new charges are consistent with, and indeed less than, increases for similar sized associations in Scotland. 

“The RPI-only increase is in line with the board’s rent setting strategy, which has been approved on a number of occasions in recent years.”

He added: “Any customer with queries about their rent charges or who requires advice or support in managing the impact of the increase should contact our customer experience team on 0800 013 2196.”