0:00:01 > 0:00:03Oh...
0:00:03 > 0:00:04Oh, my God!
0:00:07 > 0:00:08Brace yourself.
0:00:10 > 0:00:15The council. The organisation that everyone loves to hate.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20See, the thing is, they're all talk at this council, but no action.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Everything is the council's fault, the council's fault,
0:00:22 > 0:00:24the council's fault.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26You will empty my bin.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Listen, I pay my council tax.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30- You work...- I'm saying nothing more. - You work for me.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32I pay your wages.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35It's such a rewarding job.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36Did you get that note of sarcasm?
0:00:39 > 0:00:43Councils in Scotland are facing punishing budget cuts.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46But with demand for public services higher than ever,
0:00:46 > 0:00:47the pressure has never been greater.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51I've only got two weeks.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53I've got to find somewhere for me and five children to go.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57You're paying your council tax for services that you're not receiving.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00You've got no money. It's hard to just do anything.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03It's not fair. There needs to be more funding.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05I've got no choice. They give me no choice.
0:01:06 > 0:01:11From educating our children to caring for our elderly and
0:01:11 > 0:01:12protecting the vulnerable,
0:01:12 > 0:01:15the council staff are on the front line.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16Oh, it's just a nightmare.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21We'll have to be allowed to do our job by the council rules.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Fife Council is the third largest local authority in Scotland,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36costing over £1 billion a year to run.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41There's one staff member for every 20 people living in the area.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Hello, there, Miss Kennedy.
0:01:43 > 0:01:44You're through to John.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48'Hi there. What it is, is my toilet seat's just broken.'
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Every year, the council receives 4,000 complaints,
0:01:52 > 0:01:53many about council housing.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58'Fife Council are actually, like,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01'breaching my human rights in what they're doing.'
0:02:02 > 0:02:04'You're the fourth or fifth person I've spoken to this
0:02:04 > 0:02:07'morning, do you know that? I'm getting told I'm getting transferred
0:02:07 > 0:02:09'to a manager, I get transferred to a colleague,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12'who then transfers me back into a queue, and then I come to you.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16'What kind of service is that?'
0:02:16 > 0:02:19With a stock of 30,000 council houses,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23the Department of Housing bring in the most revenue for the council.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25Right, see you later.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Bye, enjoy.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- Oh, I know! Right, bye. - Cheerio.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36Karen has spent her entire working life with the housing department.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- Stop trying to make me feel important!- Karen, you are important.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42No, I'm not. In the grand scheme of things, I'm not.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45I'm just a number.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49Right.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Today is what we call gas break-ins.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00Basically, we get a list sent through every week, every fortnight,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03with addresses that haven't allowed us in to get their
0:03:03 > 0:03:05gas servicing done.
0:03:05 > 0:03:06And, by law, we're required to do it,
0:03:06 > 0:03:11so these people have been sent three letters, now,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and the third one, basically, saying, "You've not let us in,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17"so this is the last date, we're coming to do your service,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19"whether you like it or not, and if you're not there,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22"we're breaking in."
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Oh, this will be the talk of the steamie.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- There we go, now.- In! - OK. I think the only
0:03:52 > 0:03:55thing that's hiding here is spiders.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Hm... There is no fridge or anything.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Right, "Best before, May 3rd 2015."
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Urgh...
0:04:16 > 0:04:203rd March, maybe about three years ago.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26I'm just going to take the house back,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29because he's clearly not living here.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- Right.- Aye...
0:04:32 > 0:04:35There are 25,000 abandoned homes in Scotland,
0:04:35 > 0:04:40costing councils over £200 million a year in lost income.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44So, we're going to a property that has just terminated.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50The tenant has left and given us back the house,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53so we're going to have a little look.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Oof... It's ripe, eh?
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Oh, jeezo!
0:05:28 > 0:05:31The tenant lived here for 22 years.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38This person was here with her son.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42She holds down a job and had...
0:05:45 > 0:05:47..a number of cats, apparently.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52Oh... Right, we'll go into the kitchen.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57Oh, my God!
0:06:00 > 0:06:01Urgh.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Jesus Christ.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10You want to see the trays over there.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11Oh, my God.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15SHE GAGS
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- Karen?- What?
0:06:22 > 0:06:27Brace yourself and watch your feet cos there's cat shit all over the stairs.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30It's horrific.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33HE GAGS
0:06:34 > 0:06:35Oh, dear.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Right, mind over matter, now.
0:06:39 > 0:06:40That's what you have to do.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46- Are you all right?- Aye.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Jesus Christ! Oh, my God!
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- People crying out for houses.- Yeah, I know.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02And then you have this.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06I know.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09The toilet is actually relatively clean, believe it or not.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13The bath isn't that bad, either.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Clearly unused.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Does this make you angry?
0:07:20 > 0:07:21Absolutely.
0:07:22 > 0:07:27Absolutely. Well, there, you've got to understand that
0:07:27 > 0:07:31we get a hard time as an authority, because we've got so much cutbacks
0:07:31 > 0:07:35and tightening our belts on providing services, et cetera.
0:07:35 > 0:07:40And then you come into something like this, which is so unnecessary,
0:07:40 > 0:07:44and we've got to plough thousands of pounds into getting this into a
0:07:44 > 0:07:48habitable home for somebody else and...
0:07:48 > 0:07:49I mean, this is... This is...
0:07:51 > 0:07:54..cat shit that I'm standing in.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09That's going to be stuck in my nose all day.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23JP is team leader for community learning and development,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25working with deprived communities.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32I've been a community education worker since 1992, so...
0:08:33 > 0:08:3624 years in June, it'll be.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39'And you've still got a sense of humour?'
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I hope so. I think so. I think it's very important.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Without wanting to come over all David Brent,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47I think it is very important to have a sense of humour.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50It keeps things in perspective.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52And, at times, when things are a bit dark,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54to be able to have a little laugh, it's very useful.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Today, JP is visiting Macedonia in Glenrothes,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03named after a former estate farm of the Countess of Rothes.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10Here, three quarters of the population are unemployed or on benefits.
0:09:11 > 0:09:16So, here we are, on the Glenwood shops, as it's called, in Macedonia.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21As you can see, it's pretty run down, really,
0:09:21 > 0:09:27and it could do with an injection of cash, and a bit of change.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32JP has just received £10,000 funding to launch
0:09:32 > 0:09:34a new community project.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Macedonia is one of the most deprived areas in Glenrothes,
0:09:41 > 0:09:45and what we're going to try and do is, with a Starter For Ten,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48kick-start some community action and try and get people interested in
0:09:48 > 0:09:51their community, to make some changes.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54It's a shithole.
0:09:54 > 0:09:55What makes you say that, pal?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Because I stay in there.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- Do you?- I just filled in a wee questionnaire.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- Good.- Was it called Starter For Ten?
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Yes.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- Filled that in. They've got a grant for here.- Yes.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Well, that's what we're here for.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- How long have you stayed here?- I've just moved.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- I've been out homeless and... - Oh, right.
0:10:13 > 0:10:19I was homeless, as well, like. Just got that just in November.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- From the outside, they look horrible.- I know.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- They need a lot doing on them. Come up, we'll show you.- All right, then.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Well, that's amazing.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37As you can see, they're nice, fresh flats.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39They've just been knocked through at the weekend, man.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41That was actually all right. But the door got kicked in.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47All the glass and that, man. That was fine.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50What's the whole point of this grant, then?
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- What yous...?- Shall we sit down and talk?
0:10:52 > 0:10:53Is that all right? Cheers.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- Aye.- I'm glad you filled one in.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01The idea is for local people to say, well, "I live here. For me,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04"these are some of the problems that we'd like to see fixed."
0:11:04 > 0:11:06But to get involved in fixing them.
0:11:06 > 0:11:13So, if you say, "JP, we want £2,000 so we can paint all the interior corridors,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16"or the halls, or the landing,"
0:11:16 > 0:11:18we put it to a public vote and if people vote for it,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21you get the money to do it. So there's £10,000.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22We could go for that, like.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Well, you would. But would the people?
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- I don't know.- How did you manage to get the ten, then?
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- I asked the councillors for that. - Just asked the council?
0:11:29 > 0:11:32I said, "I think it'll be a good idea. It'll get people interested."
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Rather than just say, "Oh, you'll have to form..."
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- Or I'll come in and spend 10,000 on the area.- Give you something for...
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Just as you said, it's an area that needs it.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45It's good to see, actually, that stuff is going to be happening,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48getting done in areas like this.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52It would make a big difference if this flat, if these flats
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- were redone.- Cleaned.- Aye. And kept...
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Can you paint and decorate?
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- Aye. I'm a painter and decorator. - Are you?- Aye.- Really?- Really. Aye.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04So, if we costed it and got the paint and said,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07"We want a mural on the stairs, make them look more attractive..."
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- Aye. Aye.- That's all right.- I would do it.- I would do it.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Cheers, Steve.- Thanks, mate.- Thanks a lot.
0:12:12 > 0:12:13You're very welcome.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Wow. No, that's great, just the kind of thing you want to hear.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Really good to meet the guys.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28The flats, interior-wise, are fine.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30But, externally and looking at this close, I mean,
0:12:30 > 0:12:31it's not attractive at all.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34It's almost scary for people.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Yeah, if we can change some of that, that will be worth doing.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Local people have some great ideas about making a difference and we
0:12:41 > 0:12:45want to be able to help them to do that rather than waiting on the
0:12:45 > 0:12:48council getting packages of funding here, there and everywhere.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52We can do some, maybe, quick-term fixes or quick fixes
0:12:52 > 0:12:56which make people feel just a little bit better about where they live.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07Me and Stephen have, like, basically wanted to do bits that's good for
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Macedonia because we stay here.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14We didn't want, like, the place getting a bad name when it's
0:13:14 > 0:13:16actually an all-right place.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22And if we had, obviously, the Starter For Ten money that's going
0:13:22 > 0:13:27into the community, the 10,000, that would well be enough to do
0:13:27 > 0:13:30these sort of things that the teenagers are wanting.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Like a football cage and that.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38The Starter For Ten may be my Starter For Ten, aye.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Helping me. Helping the community.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58As a result of nearly a decade of frozen council taxes,
0:13:58 > 0:14:00along with reduced central government funding,
0:14:00 > 0:14:04local authorities in Scotland are facing an estimated deficit of
0:14:04 > 0:14:07£1 billion over the next two years.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13In Fife, the man who has ultimate responsibility for managing the
0:14:13 > 0:14:15council budget is chief executive, Steve Grimmond.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Morning. It's eight o'clock. We're just heading into the office
0:14:20 > 0:14:22to start the day ahead.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Quite a lot going on today. A number of meetings. People to see.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31- Things to do.- Things to do. - Council to run.- Council to run.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32No two days are the same.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37It can range, everything from working on issues from early years
0:14:37 > 0:14:42in education through to care of the elderly within the same 12 hours.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Morning, Andrew. We're facing unprecedented levels of reduction in
0:14:51 > 0:14:55resource, of a scale and of an order that we've never had to look at before.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58It is a hugely daunting time in terms of the pressures on the
0:14:58 > 0:15:01reduction of public sector resources, but the real challenge
0:15:01 > 0:15:03and opportunity is how do you make that work?
0:15:03 > 0:15:05How do you make the radical changes that are necessary
0:15:05 > 0:15:09if we're going to be able to survive through the next 12 months?
0:15:09 > 0:15:14Today, it's Budget Day and Steve and his elected councillors must save
0:15:14 > 0:15:17around £88 million this year alone.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33And with the cuts comes 235 job losses
0:15:33 > 0:15:36and a prediction of up to 2,000 more in the next three years.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56One department safe from cuts is housing services.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00What do you mean, you were giving it to the landlord?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Because if it's our property, we're the landlord.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07Otherwise, you're not going to get the suspension lifted on your application.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Because it'll remain like that until there's further information to
0:16:10 > 0:16:13say that you don't have those arrears or you don't have those
0:16:13 > 0:16:15rechargeable repairs. All right?
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Every year, the council spend over £30 million on repairs,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21maintenance and bad debts.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31To stop the abandoned house lying empty and not bringing in rent,
0:16:31 > 0:16:36a clean-up operation has now been ordered, costing over £5,000.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47I love this job.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55HE GAGS
0:16:55 > 0:16:58How's that gag reflex coming on?
0:16:58 > 0:16:59Get in amongst it, eh?
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Get in amongst it, eh?
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Do you need a strong constitution for this?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Just a wee bit.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16You get used to it, though. We get used to it.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26We get about eight of these a month, these bad ones with animal waste.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30But then you get other bad ones that's needles,
0:17:30 > 0:17:31lots of other bits and pieces.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Oh! Oh!
0:17:41 > 0:17:47Cor...
0:17:48 > 0:17:50I hate the smelly cats, like.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56That's strong in there. The urine is unbelievable.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01How long will this take to clear up?
0:18:01 > 0:18:03About three days.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Look what's on it.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19That's his lighter.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Your favourite animal.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Another area that's receiving investment is Pittenweem
0:18:37 > 0:18:41in the East Neuk, where a £2 million project is just getting started.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46This is our breakwater to protect our harbour.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51About two years ago, it was damaged in a storm to the extent
0:18:51 > 0:18:53that it was becoming unstable.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01So, they've underpinned it, sorted the sides of it and, I think,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03they're going to, kind of, level it off a bit.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Because, obviously, it's dropped down a bit.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07I think some of it, about a foot.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12So, it has to be done to protect the harbour but also has to be done to
0:19:12 > 0:19:15stop the harbour being no use in the future.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22Jim has worked as the council's harbour master for six years.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25The council own all this, so they have to have a harbour master.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30We have two here because it's a commercial harbour and it's open
0:19:30 > 0:19:33from 12 minutes to seven in the morning until nine o'clock at night.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36So, we have two over that space of time.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39But you have to be here.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44You're kind of like looking after it for them, aren't you?
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Making sure everyone's all right.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49If there's any problems, we're like a hotline to
0:19:49 > 0:19:51headquarters up the road at Glenrothes.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Pittenweem is the last commercial fishing harbour in Fife,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58bringing in over £3.5 million per year.
0:20:03 > 0:20:09So, out in the sea today, we've got Long Shout Venture Again.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Saint Adrian, Harvest Moon and the Charisma.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Not a lot. I think it's this time of year where the boats can't make up
0:20:19 > 0:20:25their mind whether to be on night shift or day shift.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Hi, Maurice. How are you today?
0:20:29 > 0:20:31When the boats are on the night shift,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34that's when it's really busy because the prawn boats will come in in the
0:20:34 > 0:20:37morning and their guys go out in the morning, so you've got that.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41You've got to try and juggle it to keep them all happy.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45The creel boats have to get their bait before they go to the sea.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50The prawn boats come in to land their catch to go home.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- So, that's it.- So, are you like an air traffic stewardess?
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Yes. This way, this way.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Brownie points if they behave.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01But boats are only part of the job.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07I'm not saying don't go up there but there's green, slide-y slate.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11If you slip on it, and go over there, that's me calling an ambulance.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12It's just for your own safety.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16I'm not telling you not to go up there but you could easily slip, hey.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17OK?
0:21:32 > 0:21:34'Hello there. I'm calling on behalf of my dad.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37'He's elderly and getting quite infirm now...'
0:21:37 > 0:21:40'Good morning. You're through to Craig. How can I help?
0:21:40 > 0:21:41'Hi, good morning.
0:21:41 > 0:21:46'I'm looking for a week's respite for my husband who's got dementia.'
0:21:47 > 0:21:51The council's Department of Health and Social Care works with 23,000
0:21:51 > 0:21:54residents a year at a cost of half a billion pounds.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Diane is an occupational therapist in Glenrothes.
0:22:07 > 0:22:13We're heading off to assess this chap who's just come to light,
0:22:13 > 0:22:14in terms of rehousing.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20Actually, I don't know much about him at all other than he's sleeping
0:22:20 > 0:22:25on his sofa and he's actually been housebound, potentially, for a year.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31So, I'm really just going along here to meet him and do
0:22:31 > 0:22:34a basic assessment of his needs.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- 'Are you OK?'- I'm getting there.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45I'm getting there. I'm getting there.
0:22:47 > 0:22:48I'll just go to the bathroom.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00I've got osteoarthritis of the lower spine.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Deep-vein thrombosis, so I'm on warfarin.
0:23:07 > 0:23:13And my lungs are bit dodgy with emphysema.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Whoever thought it was such hard work just to have a pish.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36HE GRIMACES IN PAIN
0:23:39 > 0:23:40Right. That's me.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Oh!
0:23:45 > 0:23:46Fuck it! I'm needing a fag.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48You can keep filming if you like.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52It's legal.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00You ever heard of a band called Motorhead?
0:24:00 > 0:24:01Right?
0:24:01 > 0:24:06And the guy that was the leader of the band, Lemmy.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08On bass? You heard him? Right.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12I watched a documentary on him.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Interviewer says, "You chain-smoke?"
0:24:14 > 0:24:19"Yes." "And you drink a bottle of Jack Daniels a day, every day?"
0:24:19 > 0:24:24He says, "My lungs are fine, my liver's fine. My heart's fine.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26"My blood pressure's fine."
0:24:26 > 0:24:29And the boy says, "How do you account for that?"
0:24:30 > 0:24:33He says, "It's my fuck-you-ness."
0:24:33 > 0:24:36The boy says, "What?" "It's my fuck-you-ness."
0:24:36 > 0:24:38The doctor says to me, "Stop smoking."
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I go, "Fuck you." "Stop drinking."
0:24:40 > 0:24:41I go, "Fuck you."
0:24:43 > 0:24:49And that's what's going to keep me alive for at least another couple of year.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51MUSIC: Ace of Spades by Motorhead
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Having just turned 60, Davey is now being considered for one of the
0:25:13 > 0:25:15council's retirement homes.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19KNOCK AT THE DOOR
0:25:19 > 0:25:20MUSIC BLARES OUT
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Fife Council.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29- Hi there.- Hiya.- How you doing?
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- Hello!- Did you remember we were all coming?
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- Yes.- And I'm Diane, the housing OT.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Occupational therapist?
0:25:38 > 0:25:39That's it. Well done.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- Can I get a seat?- Aye.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Do you want me just to sit here?
0:25:43 > 0:25:46One of my colleagues in the office is considering you for Byron Court?
0:25:48 > 0:25:49Are you aware of all that?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I've been mentioned that.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02Not for me to refuse things that have been offered to me.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07I don't want anything that's too much like an old people's home.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12- No.- No, thank you.- I mean, I was a single man until I was 47-years-old.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- Were you?- Yeah. My first marriage.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17I was 47.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22- Good grief.- And my wife, was 27. - That's a big age gap.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27But we just had so much in common.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32But there's a difference between her being 30 and me being 50
0:26:32 > 0:26:35than her being 40 and me being 60.
0:26:35 > 0:26:36Yes.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Could I, maybe, see you standing up?
0:26:42 > 0:26:44So, you're quite tall, as well.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Just sit back down. That's fine.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Sit back down.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02- My legs have gone.- So, are we thinking, really,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06it's going to have to be wheelchair suitable, wherever you move to?
0:27:06 > 0:27:10- Because you're going to be using your chair in the house.- Yes.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12OK. We'll rule out Byron.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16And we'll get you down for a sheltered bungalow,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19or an ordinary bungalow, now that you're a pensioner.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Then we'll get you on your Harley.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28- Thank you. See you later. - Thanks, bye.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29Cheerio.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34If he's had a young wife and everything, then he is young.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38He's not one of your older 60-year-olds.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Which I had the impression before I went.
0:27:41 > 0:27:4520 years age gap!
0:27:47 > 0:27:50In Macedonia, JP is hoping the community will come together to
0:27:50 > 0:27:53discuss ideas for the Starter For Ten project.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59So, we're now walking up to Macedonia play park, there.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03That's all the council workers.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05They're all out now because the BBC are about.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08They get out and about there. They see that they're doing their job.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10I've not seen somebody pick up litter on this
0:28:10 > 0:28:11estate for many a year.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18All right, lads. Tony, Scott?
0:28:18 > 0:28:22Good, good. Welcome, everyone. Thanks for coming.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25It's really good to see so many people here today.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28What we've got is, just for everyone,
0:28:28 > 0:28:3117th of February, we've booked a school,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34we've got the school booked and what we want is to have a number of
0:28:34 > 0:28:36projects that people can vote on.
0:28:36 > 0:28:42The most common things people are saying is, bigger, better, new park.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Football cage, goals or pitch.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Bigger, better, new skate park.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Children, young people, family activities in the area.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Things for families to do.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Clean it up. Do you want to tell us about some of the things you thought
0:28:55 > 0:28:58would be worth doing in the area?
0:28:58 > 0:29:01I think we were discussing about just general mess of the flats.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Getting them redone.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08It's a bit daunting, people walking in and they're a bit rundown.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Stop them getting raided every three weeks.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13Windows getting smashed and stuff.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Teenagers coming to and from the school at lunchtime,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- drop litter everywhere.- That's annoying.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23We said, what if we said to the headteacher, £1,000,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26if you sort it, you get to keep that £1,000.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Go up to Glenrothes, £1,000, get it sorted.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31I'll sort it for £1,000.
0:29:34 > 0:29:35Thank you, everyone. Seriously.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Thank you for your time. That's brilliant.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41With a committed group of residents now on board,
0:29:41 > 0:29:43JP has to reach the rest of the community.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02Since 2012, Scottish councils have paid out over half a billion in
0:30:02 > 0:30:07compensation for damages caused by potholes, with a new claim
0:30:07 > 0:30:08lodged every 18 minutes.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Today, John and Ian from the roads maintenance department are in
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Craigluscar, north of Dunfermline.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23The whole road's needing done.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25But we can only do so much.
0:30:33 > 0:30:34We'll cut this one out.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Again, where the fuck do you stop?
0:30:41 > 0:30:46In Fife, there was a £95 million backlog in road repairs.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51Well, basically, the council can't afford to uplift every single road
0:30:51 > 0:30:55and re-tar every bit. For two reasons, money they don't have.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Secondly, the manpower to do that.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01If you were to think of all the roads, Dunfermline,
0:31:01 > 0:31:05and Fife, Scotland, Britain, so it's down to the Government.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10You'd need to issue a load of money and they would need to allow
0:31:10 > 0:31:15the council to take more people on, basically.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16This doesn't help either.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20Big HGVs coming down small track roads like this.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24And you can see, exactly what's happening. Squashing the tar out.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28There's a good chance we can do this and one of them will come down and
0:31:28 > 0:31:29take it all out.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34Bit frustrating, aye.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38We'd love to fill every pothole that you can see.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42We can't. Because we've got to go to different locations and the fact
0:31:42 > 0:31:44that we don't have enough tar to do what everybody wants.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50There's been budget cuts for the last three years.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54Like I say, the council's not taking any people on and then we've got all
0:31:54 > 0:31:59these cuts coming up. Then we'll just see how it goes.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01You're a bit of a politician!
0:32:03 > 0:32:09Aye. If only. Do you reckon I should be the new gaffer of the council?
0:32:14 > 0:32:17No ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts!
0:32:17 > 0:32:21No ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts!
0:32:21 > 0:32:24After an eight-hour meeting, a new budget is agreed.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31With it, brings a £5 million cut to health and social care,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34a £1 million cut to road maintenance and staff reductions.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38To some extent, we've got a perfect storm,
0:32:38 > 0:32:43which is we're facing the largest cash reduction,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46the biggest gap that we've ever faced.
0:32:47 > 0:32:48It's not easy.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54I absolutely understand the anxiety that there is within the
0:32:54 > 0:32:59organisation because moving to a model going forward
0:32:59 > 0:33:02where we deliver services differently,
0:33:02 > 0:33:06almost certainly means delivering those services with fewer staff.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Fife has 2,500 specially adapted council houses.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Diane is looking at one for Davey that has just come
0:33:23 > 0:33:25back onto the system.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34How long do you think it's going to be?
0:33:34 > 0:33:38Do you know? It doesn't look like there's much needing done.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42So, the first thing I'm looking at is the access.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45And, obviously, that's the back door.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47And there is only one step.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52The other thing I'm looking at, are the width of the doors to make sure
0:33:52 > 0:33:55that it's suitable, either for a wheelchair or a walking aid.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59I mean, it's in good decor. It's a lovely property.
0:33:59 > 0:34:00You could actually move right into this.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09- Are you filming that plumber, or are you filming me?- You.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12Me looking at the plumber's bum?
0:34:15 > 0:34:16Builder's bum!
0:34:17 > 0:34:19That a perk of the job.
0:34:21 > 0:34:22Oh, dear God.
0:34:24 > 0:34:25Hello, Davey.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31Listen, we've been to have a look at a bungalow that I think will be
0:34:31 > 0:34:33suitable for you.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Aye, I think it would be good for you.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Nice kitchen and it's nicely decorated.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42We'll nip round and have a chat with you, anyway, if that's OK?
0:34:54 > 0:34:55It's a wee surprise for you today.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Can I sit down. Is that all right?
0:34:59 > 0:35:03So, I really would like you to consider the Methil Brae one.
0:35:03 > 0:35:04Any garden at all?
0:35:06 > 0:35:08No, erm... No.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11But you're not going to be able to do a garden.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13And it's not sheltered?
0:35:13 > 0:35:15No. Methil Brae isn't. No.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19What I would suggest to you, I don't know timescales because, as I say,
0:35:19 > 0:35:23I don't allocate but you might not get a long time to move.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26I'm going to need to start selling stuff because I've got a whole load
0:35:26 > 0:35:27of gardening tools.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34Right. You can look in the back bedroom first.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Want me to open the door for you there or can you manage?
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Actually, it's not bad at all, Davey, to be honest.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43Because you've got it already in boxes.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47You'd be able to just, even, lift these boxes and you could take
0:35:47 > 0:35:50it with you and sort it out when you're there.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54I think, if you're organised, a man and a van,
0:35:54 > 0:35:56you'll get this done in an hour.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58So, actually, I'm quite impressed.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00I don't think it's going to be too difficult.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04- You have done a lot of work. - Aye.
0:36:07 > 0:36:08I know. It's quite sad, really.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12I was hoping to get a wee bit of garden.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Getting back to growing pot plants.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17I mean, house plants.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19I don't mean pot plants.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23- Right?- No. Because you'll get evicted.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25We've gone to all this extreme to get you a house.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28I'll go to jail!
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Right! Tatty-bye.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- Thanks, Diane.- See you soon. Aye, cheerio.
0:36:37 > 0:36:38BIRD SQUAWKS
0:36:38 > 0:36:43What's that, Charlie? What is it, Charlie?
0:36:43 > 0:36:46We're going to be moving.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Two weeks later, and without viewing the bungalow,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Davey has declined the offer.
0:36:56 > 0:37:01People expect there to be lots and lots of properties and there aren't.
0:37:01 > 0:37:02It's hard to say to them,
0:37:02 > 0:37:07it's not like an estate agents where we've got lots to show you.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12It's very rare that a bungalow will be returned to stock and you could
0:37:12 > 0:37:15wait for months, for years, and sometimes
0:37:15 > 0:37:18I don't think people believe us because, well,
0:37:18 > 0:37:20they've been offered something.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24It's just taking that risk of how long you'd have to wait for
0:37:24 > 0:37:25something suitable.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34Hello, Davey!
0:37:34 > 0:37:36- All right?- Hello, it's Diane.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39- Aye, come on up.- Is that OK? - Aye.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44What are we going to do, then? What are you thinking?
0:37:44 > 0:37:48Well, I have already told you, I'm declining the offer.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49I just don't want that particular...
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Right. Right.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54That's fine, what's putting you off that one?
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Is it the lack of garden?
0:37:57 > 0:38:01That's one of the things. Look, I've been making some notes.
0:38:01 > 0:38:06- Good.- Gas central heating and gas cooker because when I asked you the
0:38:06 > 0:38:11last time, can I take my gas cooker with me? You said you didn't know.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13If there's electric cooker, is that a deal-breaker?
0:38:13 > 0:38:16- No.- Or...- I'm not wanting an electric cooker.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18- Right, that's fine.- It has got to be a gas cooker.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20- That's fine.- Then I've got...
0:38:21 > 0:38:28Now, this is a vital one. You might think I'm being trivial
0:38:28 > 0:38:34but I'm on Sky and unlimited broadband.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Now, I rely on my internet access.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40No, you can get Sky at your expense.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43You know, you'd have to pay for it to be relocated.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45- I understand that.- Sky wouldn't be a problem.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48But, I mean, I can't be without my broadband.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51No. Will we see how long it takes because...?
0:38:51 > 0:38:53- I don't care how long it takes. - Right, you're not in a great rush.
0:38:53 > 0:38:59I have been struggling here for getting on for three years and managing.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03Right? And if I've got struggle on for a bit longer, I don't care.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- Yeah, that is fine. - I'm no in a rush.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08- That's fine.- OK. - Right. Be good.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11- Can't be good, be careful.- Be careful.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Aye, I knew you were going to say that.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15That's what my granny used to say to me.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19I know, I know. It's a sure fine saying, though.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20- Right, tatty-bye.- Right, then.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23- Thanks, Diane.- No bother.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25- Cheerio.- See you later. Cheerio.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29Davey now joins a waiting list of 4,000 people
0:39:29 > 0:39:30needing an adapted house.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39I just get the feeling he doesn't want to move,
0:39:39 > 0:39:41that he's quite happy where he is...
0:39:44 > 0:39:45..stuck upstairs.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50Maybe not how we'd want to live but I think, for him, that's better.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55I don't give a fucking shit what some people might think.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02It's what I want and if they can't deliver, I'll stay here.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10In Macedonia, eight projects have now been shortlisted
0:40:10 > 0:40:11for Starter For Ten.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Glenwood's housing officer, Stacey,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17is hoping that painting the flats will win.
0:40:17 > 0:40:22Today's the day where we're looking for the community to come and vote
0:40:22 > 0:40:27for potential projects and one of the potential projects that we've
0:40:27 > 0:40:29got for today, is to have the stairwells
0:40:29 > 0:40:31in the block of flats painted.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35Now, they're particularly bad, I have said this before,
0:40:35 > 0:40:39the block itself isn't the best to look at and I think it would be a
0:40:39 > 0:40:41great thing if we could get these stairwells painted.
0:40:41 > 0:40:46However, I need to have the tenants on board and I really need them
0:40:46 > 0:40:50to be there and to support, because if we don't get the votes for it,
0:40:50 > 0:40:53it's not going to get done. So that is what I'm going to try to persuade
0:40:53 > 0:40:56today. Work my charm. We'll see.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59- Hi! Is this your house?- Yes.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02Sorry. You've maybe never met me before but I'm actually the new
0:41:02 > 0:41:04housing officer for the Macedonia area.
0:41:04 > 0:41:09We were trying to identify possible projects to improve the
0:41:09 > 0:41:13Macedonia area and one of the things that was mentioned, was having the
0:41:13 > 0:41:16stairwells painted and cleared, cleaned and all painted.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Waste of time.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21Oh, hi there.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23It's Jim from the council and this is my colleague, Stacey.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- I've met you before.- She's the neighbourhood housing officer...
0:41:29 > 0:41:30- Oh, right.- ..for the whole of Macedonia.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33- I noticed some things on the list. - Yes.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35And one of them was painting this.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- I wouldn't bother.- Oh, God, everyone keeps saying that.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40I wouldn't, honestly, don't.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41It is a waste of money.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45- People...- Do you not think we should at least try?- No.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51It's quite sad and I think... I had this discussion with my colleagues
0:41:51 > 0:41:58yesterday and obviously I am quite a new housing officer to this block
0:41:58 > 0:42:03and I'm quite keen to at least try and do my bit to improve it but,
0:42:03 > 0:42:07I mean, that's the first two tenants that we've spoken to there
0:42:07 > 0:42:10and they've both said they don't see the point of painting the
0:42:10 > 0:42:12stairwells because no-one cares about this block.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15It is an area, it's certainly had its...
0:42:15 > 0:42:19Seen the nasty side of what can happen and with services.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21That's it. And, you know what?
0:42:21 > 0:42:24If there is any place that is crying out for a bit of TLC,
0:42:24 > 0:42:25this is one of them.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30After months of planning,
0:42:30 > 0:42:33the community will now decide which projects they want.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40You get a red heart and a pink heart, all right?
0:42:40 > 0:42:43On the boards when you go in, there are different projects that we're
0:42:43 > 0:42:46looking to, as possibilities to do in the Macedonia area, OK?
0:42:46 > 0:42:51There you go. All right? OK, thanks for coming.
0:42:56 > 0:43:01£10,000 isn't going to be enough to fix Macedonia or the problems round
0:43:01 > 0:43:03here, it's not enough.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10Right, ladies and gentlemen, you have the results.
0:43:10 > 0:43:11Thank you.
0:43:11 > 0:43:16The first winner with the highest votes went to the green gym
0:43:16 > 0:43:18which is going to cost £4,000.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21The goalposts, that is £1,000.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26The community planting project, that's £1,300.
0:43:26 > 0:43:33And painting the stairwell, £300, that is in the Glenwood centre.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36So thank you very much for voting and these projects will go ahead in
0:43:36 > 0:43:38the very near future.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40APPLAUSE
0:43:45 > 0:43:46My flats are getting painted!
0:43:48 > 0:43:51- So is that a sign?- That is a sign of the love in the community of
0:43:51 > 0:43:54Macedonia and a sign of things to come.
0:43:54 > 0:43:56I am hoping that in six months' time,
0:43:56 > 0:43:59this whole place will be filled with love hearts.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02And we'll all love each other and we'll all hug it out.
0:44:09 > 0:44:13Four weeks later and work begins on the Glenwood flats.
0:44:15 > 0:44:16It looks cleaner already.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20Aye, we've been... Cleaned and everything today.
0:44:20 > 0:44:24Hiya. How's it looking, Raymond?
0:44:24 > 0:44:26It's just freshened up the place, it's really good.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28- Yes.- That's much better already.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33- Have you noticed the difference? - Yes.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35Just kept going. Ignored.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39You didn't mention it the other day, did you, no?
0:44:39 > 0:44:41He's got a bad back, he said, mind.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45I think they'll get that finished in the middle and realise how much a
0:44:45 > 0:44:48waste of time it was doing it in the first place
0:44:48 > 0:44:51because it's going to be like that again in a week.
0:45:03 > 0:45:06We won the project, it's not a project, it's a start,
0:45:06 > 0:45:08it's about getting engaged with people.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11I know it sounds really naff but it's about working with people,
0:45:11 > 0:45:13local people working together.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17That's what we're trying to make happen because, you know,
0:45:17 > 0:45:20the council is going to have less money in future and I think the more
0:45:20 > 0:45:23people who are involved in their own communities,
0:45:23 > 0:45:25the better they can make it.
0:45:33 > 0:45:38In Fife, bin collection times are from 6.30am to nine at night.
0:45:41 > 0:45:43Hi-ho, hi-ho, off to work we go.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48Go and see the posh people.
0:45:51 > 0:45:55Between them, Ronnie and Craig have been on the bins for 30 years.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01Do you like it round here?
0:46:01 > 0:46:05- What's that?- Do you like it around here?- Oh, aye.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09I would buy that one if I had the money.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14That's my house. That, right there.
0:46:25 > 0:46:26Yeah, one day.
0:46:30 > 0:46:32Satisfaction.
0:46:32 > 0:46:35- Job satisfaction.- Job satisfaction we get.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38We're making sure the town isnae a complete shithole.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43Because, let's be honest, without us, it would be.
0:46:46 > 0:46:50Every year, the council spend £10 million disposing of household waste.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53Bucky bottles in them bins and it's wine bottles
0:46:53 > 0:46:55in the fucking posh bins.
0:46:55 > 0:46:59It's a different class of wine, bro.
0:46:59 > 0:47:00Fucking Lambrini.
0:47:01 > 0:47:02Lambrini's all right.
0:47:04 > 0:47:08The council are now trialling a three weekly and the UK's first-ever
0:47:08 > 0:47:13monthly collections to encourage recycling and reduce landfill costs.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15Today, they're in Markinch.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19It's the guinea pigs, if you like.
0:47:22 > 0:47:25Where we go, everybody else follows, I think.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28Whether that's right or wrong is another question.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33The council are hoping to roll out one of the schemes across the region.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37To be honest, if I was doing it, just do the four-week system
0:47:37 > 0:47:38and that is it.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42That's it done. Once people get used to it,
0:47:42 > 0:47:44it should never change again.
0:47:47 > 0:47:51- Is this a money thing, do you think?- It's always about money now.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56With just over half of all household waste recycled,
0:47:56 > 0:47:59the council is hoping to reach a target of 70%
0:47:59 > 0:48:00within the next decade.
0:48:04 > 0:48:08There will come a time when there won't be any landfill at all.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11It'll be recycled, it'll all be...
0:48:13 > 0:48:17..burnt or something because I think there's a European directive
0:48:17 > 0:48:22that we've got to stop putting waste into landfill sites.
0:48:23 > 0:48:30So, this is us spearheading the fight towards it, I would say.
0:48:34 > 0:48:35Fucking hell, it's brand-new.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40- Really?- They paid some money for that.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44Easy one, easy.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48Someone's paid, what? 300, 400 quid for that.
0:48:50 > 0:48:54And we're about to turn it into three or four quids' worth.
0:48:54 > 0:48:55Oh, the brakes are on.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08How much rubbish is that? Is that one day, is that one week?
0:49:11 > 0:49:12Couple of days' worth, probably.
0:49:12 > 0:49:17Two days' worth, maybe. 100, 150 tonnes, probably, I think.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32Six weeks after Davey refused a bungalow,
0:49:32 > 0:49:35occupational therapist Diane is on her way to see him.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43MUSIC PLAYS
0:49:58 > 0:50:00Right, fantastic news.
0:50:00 > 0:50:05A lovely wee bungalow has just come back and it's for him.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08He's going to be able to be independent,
0:50:08 > 0:50:12he can get out to the shops, he can get out for a boogie in his
0:50:12 > 0:50:17garden for a barbecue in the summer if he wants it.
0:50:22 > 0:50:26Today, Davey is going to view the adapted bungalow.
0:50:26 > 0:50:28Good morning.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30Santa Claus has been.
0:50:30 > 0:50:32Oh, that looks like a handy thing.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34I've tried to make it as high as I could.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39Living on the first floor of a maisonette,
0:50:39 > 0:50:41Davey has been housebound for over a year.
0:50:50 > 0:50:55There's no assistance to get people out of houses when they're housebound.
0:50:55 > 0:51:00We usually have to ask family, so it's really good that he's going
0:51:00 > 0:51:02to be able to do it himself.
0:51:06 > 0:51:07Just steady yourself.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10Get the oxygen back to your brain.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14- It's no my brain, it's my legs. - Is it warm up there?
0:51:17 > 0:51:20Oh, look at you whizzing.
0:51:20 > 0:51:21Oh, this is all right, this.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25- Look at you.- Right, Charlie, I'm going out for a wee while.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27You look after the house for me.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29- Be a good boy.- Girl.
0:51:29 > 0:51:30- Girl.- Right.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33- Right, have you got it?- I'll just hold on to this.
0:51:33 > 0:51:34And then I can...
0:51:34 > 0:51:37- I'm not going to fall.- No, you're fine.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39Just concentrate.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41I tell you what I will do, stay there,
0:51:41 > 0:51:43I will sort your laces because if you stand on your lace.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48The last time a woman tied my laces I was five years old
0:51:49 > 0:51:51going to primary school.
0:51:54 > 0:51:58You just think how lucky you are having me.
0:52:00 > 0:52:04- Oh, forgive me.- Aye, get lost. Right, come on.
0:52:05 > 0:52:09That's over and above the call of duty, get down the stairs.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15- Do you want me to hold your other arm?- No.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20You're going to see me as I am, all right?
0:52:20 > 0:52:21That's it.
0:52:23 > 0:52:25Take your time, just have a rest any time you need it.
0:52:29 > 0:52:31My feet are sore, my legs are sore.
0:52:31 > 0:52:35Are they? Concentrate on going down the stairs.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38Can you imagine me trying to get out of here in an emergency?
0:52:40 > 0:52:41Leave my wind, missus.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46- You're doing really well.- Christ, that's a cold wind.
0:52:46 > 0:52:51- It is, it's freezing. Do you want zipped up?- No.- Right.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00- All right?- Aye.
0:53:00 > 0:53:02- I have made it.- What we'll do,
0:53:02 > 0:53:05you'll get a wee seat in my car until the taxi comes.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08- No.- Moving to this here...
0:53:08 > 0:53:10- No.- No?
0:53:10 > 0:53:12We could be standing for ages.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14Are you sure you don't want a seat?
0:53:15 > 0:53:16Look. Listen.
0:53:17 > 0:53:22- I pay my council tax, you work... - I'll say nothing more.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24You work for me. I pay your wages.
0:53:28 > 0:53:30Seeing him walking down those stairs...
0:53:31 > 0:53:35That was, I would never, in my wildest dreams, have thought
0:53:35 > 0:53:39he could've done that today. I mean, I'm sure his new walker has given
0:53:39 > 0:53:42him a lot of confidence because when we first filmed him,
0:53:42 > 0:53:45he had nothing to hold on to.
0:53:45 > 0:53:46But that was amazing.
0:53:46 > 0:53:48And good for his confidence, too.
0:53:50 > 0:53:54Oh, right. All right? Cheers, Tom. Cheers.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57Davey, are you going to manage to walk because it is up here?
0:53:57 > 0:54:02- I'm coming.- Will I get a wheelchair?- No.- Are you sure?
0:54:02 > 0:54:06- Are you all right?- Nice?
0:54:06 > 0:54:09You are doing really well, you'll get a seat in here when we get in.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11Stop bossing me about, missus.
0:54:11 > 0:54:13You'll like it, don't you tell me you don't like it.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15Get in here, you will have a seat.
0:54:15 > 0:54:17I will let you open the door to make sure you can open it.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25- Oh, this is the living room, is it?- It will be.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29I take it that's an electric fire?
0:54:29 > 0:54:31Well, we'll do that in a minute.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34Do you want to have just a wee seat the now?
0:54:34 > 0:54:35Have a wee seat on this perching stool.
0:54:35 > 0:54:37Are you sure? Right.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40The housing officer does all that with you.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44- Right.- All I'm really here today is to make sure that it is suitable for you.
0:54:44 > 0:54:46It's a fine big bedroom.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48So have a look at the wardrobes first.
0:54:48 > 0:54:52Remember and take your walker with you. Don't lean.
0:54:52 > 0:54:56Right, come and see the piece de resistance.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da!
0:55:00 > 0:55:02- Dropped my gloves.- Oh!
0:55:02 > 0:55:03Look at this.
0:55:05 > 0:55:06Brilliant.
0:55:07 > 0:55:08Absolutely brilliant.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12I have brought a toilet frame here just to try it if you wouldn't mind today.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16Because you obviously struggled a wee bit to get on and off the
0:55:16 > 0:55:17toilet in your own house.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21No, I didn't. I think I have still got one of these in my house.
0:55:21 > 0:55:22Have you? Where?
0:55:23 > 0:55:25It's one of the cupboards someplace.
0:55:25 > 0:55:28Bastard. I don't like these fucking things.
0:55:28 > 0:55:30Sorry. It doesn't even fit properly.
0:55:30 > 0:55:32Just want a fucking...
0:55:33 > 0:55:36I just want a lavvy pan, I don't want any of these fucking things.
0:55:36 > 0:55:40But that, just for the purposes of my job...
0:55:40 > 0:55:45Oh, right. It's ideal to get you on and off the toilet safely.
0:55:45 > 0:55:47- Yes.- Yes. Of course it is. - Yes.- Thank you.
0:55:50 > 0:55:52- So what are you thinking? - I think this is brilliant.
0:55:52 > 0:55:56- Where do I sign?- Well, remember it is not ready yet,
0:55:56 > 0:56:00it is still just about to go under repair.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02- Aye.- Come on, we'll go through to the living room and have a chat
0:56:02 > 0:56:05rather than standing in the bathroom.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07I'm no wanting to be gazumped.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10No, you won't be, honestly, it will be yours.
0:56:24 > 0:56:25I am chuffed to bits.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29Yes, it's perfect for me.
0:56:29 > 0:56:33Absolutely perfect. Diane has done a brilliant job.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36Better than I could have ever hoped for.
0:56:48 > 0:56:50It'll be a cracking house-warming party.
0:57:00 > 0:57:04This lady, when we came in to see her, we discovered that she had
0:57:04 > 0:57:09bypassed her meter and normally it's a criminal offence.
0:57:09 > 0:57:13Excuse me. We're from the council and you've been caught on CCTV
0:57:13 > 0:57:15throwing your cigarette end down.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18- Right, yes.- Right, the fixed penalty notice is £80.
0:57:18 > 0:57:22- Right.- Well, I'm having to sleep with a baseball bat next to my bed.
0:57:22 > 0:57:25I didn't want to be sitting on the toilet doing a shit
0:57:25 > 0:57:28and my door goes in and I haven't got a piece next to me,
0:57:28 > 0:57:29do you know what I mean?