Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife has welcomed the lodging of the Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill by Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, David Stewart. Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife said: “Crumbling, dangerous and unsightly buildings are a real problem across Scotland. “I very much welcome the lodging of the Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill by Labour MSP,David Stewart. For too long defective and dangerous buildings such as the Drummond Arms Hotel in Crieff have been able to blight communities and drift into disrepair and need urgent remedy. “It is, of course, the owners’ responsibility to repair buildings which may be abandoned or disused. The Defective and Dangerous Buildings Bill therefore aims to enable local councils to carry out desperately needed repairs while, in turn, being empowered to pass the cost on to the owners. “There has been growing concern that the current condition of the Drummond Arms Hotel with the surrounding masonry on the building facing James Square is becoming a safety hazard. The Drummond Arms Hotel has been in an unacceptable state of disrepair for many years, and as a local MSP. “I have raised this issue with Perth & Kinross Council officials on a number of occasions. However, it has proved extremely difficult for Perth & Kinross Council officials to seek action against the owners. I have raised the issue with the Chief Executive of Perth & Kinross Council and called on the Council to find an urgent solution to address the situation as well as seeking to find out what steps the Council may take to place a compulsory purchase order on the building in the future.”