A pilot project on a different approach to cleaning stairwells in blocks of council housing is on the cards.

It comes after Fife Council ran into a backlash over a bid to standardise charges across the region after it emerged that some tenants paid more than others - and some were not getting any bill at all.

Councillors baulked at plans for a flat rate, with one branding it a “rent rise by the back door” and wanted more consultation carried out before any decision was taken.

At this month’s meeting of Glenrothes area committee, they were given the feedback from one local survey, and the outline plan for a pilot project involving properties across the area. Although the response rate was very low, tenants and home owners said they were happy with the service they get - 14% were very satisfied and 43% satisfied. They also felt the costs were too high.

Stairwell cleaning charges vary across Fife (Pic: Mychele Daniau/AFP via Getty Images)

placeholder image — Stairwell cleaning charges vary across Fife (Pic: Mychele Daniau/AFP via Getty Images)

The committee was told the plan now is to send a further letter to tenants replying to various issues raised.

The proposed year-long pilot – which has yet to be formally ribber stamped – would also see two deep cleans carried out each year. The current fortnightly clean would be cut to ten times per year, with overall costs will be kept the same.

In his report, John Mills, head of housing services, said: “The tenant consultation exercise has provided valuable feedback on both the affordability of charges and levels of satisfaction with the stairwell cleaning service. Most tenants recognise the importance of maintaining communal areas and concerns raised about cleaning standards are being addressed through introduction of periodic deep cleans on a trial basis.”

The pilot would cover some 19 blocks and 140 properties with two thirds occupied by council tenants and the rest privately opened.

Councillor Lynda Holton (Glenrothes Central and Thornton, SNP), said: “The fact the survey was split shows there is room for improvement. The majority felt the charge was too high, so where does that leave us now?

“My concern is proposed charge then goes ahead despite fact we now know people feel it is too high.”

The committee was told that officers hoped there would be a visible improvement as a result of the pilot delivering two deep cleans.