Cabinet talks about Tower Block Consultations

Residents of 10 city council tower blocks are set to be given the opportunity to feed back their views on proposals to improve their living accommodation.

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Cabinet talks about Tower Block Consultations

Residents of 10 city council tower blocks are set to be given the opportunity to feed back their views on proposals to improve their living accommodation.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s cabinet will discuss ways to raise the standards of accommodation for residents of the blocks at its meeting on 19 July.

It follows a series of technical investigations that have been carried out on the ten tower blocks located on four sites in Burslem, Hanley, Stoke and Blurton. The investigations identified issues of general deterioration to the buildings due to their design and age, which have led to water penetration into the buildings making the problem progressively worse. A range of options for the future of the blocks have been explored including repair, refurbishment or redevelopment. The council’s cabinet will be asked to approve a consultation exercise that will involve discussing these options with tenants and leaseholders who will be affected.

This proposal is in line with the City Council’s recently approved Housing Strategy 2022-2027 and Housing Revenue Account Asset Management Strategy 2022-2027, which include objectives to “improve the quality of our homes to meet modern standards and increase energy efficiency”, “refresh obsolete, less well performing, affordable stock towards providing a housing offer which meets the needs of residents” and “completing the process of determining the future investment requirements of the 10 tower blocks.”

Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for housing and environment has said: “The tower blocks were built in the early 1970s and, while we continue to maintain them so that they remain habitable, as a responsible landlord we have thoroughly investigated the issues affecting the buildings. These investigations found many issues that are concerning, including poor energy performance, inadequate insulation, deficient stairway glazing and deterioration of roof and parapet walls due to water ingress. We want to hear the views of residents on these issues to inform the future of the buildings.”

Cabinet will be recommended to approve an eight-week consultation with affected tenants and leaseholders from 1 August 2022 to 26 September 2022.

The 10 blocks contain a total of 374 one and two bedroom apartments.