Agenda item

The Director of Housing submits a report to the Housing Scrutiny Commission to update Members on the St Peters tower blocks refurbishments.

The Director of Housing submitted a report which updated Members on the St Peters tower block refurbishments. Simon Nicholls, Head of Service, informed Members the scheme was envisaged to be completed in 2017/18. Operational lessons had been learned when working around tenants in Framland House. Further block refurbishments would see the removal of all tenants before work started.

The Commission was asked to note that work on Gordon House had been approached differently and an external lift had been provided for contractors. This had enabled external work to commence prior to moving out the tenants. Work had also started on Maxfield House, with the replacement of the lift and fire doors. Refurbishment would be completed when Gordon House was finished. Due dates for completion were January 2017 for Gordon House, with Maxfield House expected December 2017.

Members were informed that refurbishment of the tower blocks would be completed within budget, and the Council would not incur penalties for slippage of the programme of works, although the cost of council tax for vacant properties was incurred, only the first calendar month is free. Void figures would be reported separately for St Peters blocks, and information would be brought to the next meeting of the Commission. Members noted that Goscote House, which had 132 flats of differing size, had not been included in the scheme of redevelopment as it was constructed differently to the other blocks. A consultant’s report had raised issues that required further investigation, and some testing work was underway. The consultants had been given a brief, which included valuation of Goscote House, and whether it could be reconfigured to reduce the number of bedsits and increase two-bedroom accommodation. A separate report would be prepared for the Assistant Mayor for Housing. In response to a request from the Chair, the report would also be brought to the Housing Scrutiny Commission for consideration. Members would also visit Gordon House once refurbishment was complete.

Concern was expressed regarding the lift at Framland House which had recently been out of use for a few days. The Head of Service reported a maintenance contract of the lifts in the towers had been agreed with the lift company LES, a local engineering firm who had agreed a 20 minutes response time.

A Member questioned why the scheme had taken so long. Members heard it had been underestimated how long it would take to move people out of the Framland House, as the tenants had varying needs, for example, disability requirements and had been moved into more suitable accommodation. It was also noted that through natural wastage there would be vacancies of approximately 65 high-demand properties on St Peters.

AGREED:

that

1.    The report be noted;

2.    Information on voids for St Peters blocks be brought the next meeting of the Commission;

3.    Following consultant investigations of Goscote House, the separate report prepared for the Assistant Mayor be brought to the Housing Scrutiny Commission for information.

4.    Once refurbishment was complete, the Head of Service to arrange a site visit to Gordon House for Commission Members.