Tower Block Consultation given go ahead at Cabinet

A consultation is set to start with residents of 10 council-run tower blocks across the city, on the future options of the blocks.

Tower Block Consultation given go ahead at Cabinet

A consultation is set to start with residents of 10 council-run tower blocks across the city, on the future options of the blocks.

Cabinet met on Tuesday 19 July to discuss the proposed Tower Block Consultation and approval was given to start consultation with tenants and leaseholders affected.

The consultation comes after a series of technical investigations identified a number of issues with 10 of its blocks due to their design and age. These issues continue to worsen, mainly as a result of water seeping into the buildings, and now require tenant and leaseholder views on the future options for the blocks.

The consultation will run for eight weeks, starting on Monday 1 August 2022, and will continue until midnight on Monday 26 September 2022.

All 374 affected residents across the 10 blocks, will receive a letter explaining the range of options for the blocks including repair, refurbishment and redevelopment and they will be invited to complete a consultation survey, where they will be able to share views and feedback on the future of the 10 tower blocks in the city.

The consultation will be easily accessible online and paper copies will be available upon request. Anyone who needs any advice and support in completing the questionnaire, or requires a paper copy, can visit a local centre or library , send an email to: towerblocks@stoke.gov.uk or telephone: 01782 231172, where a member of the team will be able to help residents navigate the online questionnaire or answer any questions.

Local centre locations are: Longton and Stoke

Library locations are: Bentilee, Hanley, Longton, Meir, Stoke.

Residents are also being invited to an open drop-in event being held at the Kings Hall on 7 September 2022, 4-7pm. At the event staff involved in the project will be available to answer any questions and to help residents to complete the questionnaire. King’s Hall is off Kingsway, Stoke.   

Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for housing and environment has said: “We appreciate this may be a cause for concern for some residents in the affected blocks and they may have some questions to ask us.  I want to stress that all residents will have the opportunity to have their say during the consultation on the future of the buildings. Our priority is making sure our housing is fit for purpose, is up to standard and our aim as a council is to provide our residents with housing that reflects their needs.”