Decision details

Purpose of Report: The report seeks Housing Revenue Account investment to refurbish existing council stock at Bell Farm pods and Glen Lodge Independent Living Accommodation. The paper also seeks support to install wifi in communal areas of Independent Living Schemes across 9 locations in the city.

Executive will be asked to:
- Support significant refurbishment at both Bell Farm and Glen Lodge
- Agree the budget for this work to be carried out
- Agree that residents will need to be decanted from their homes during the works
- Agree the investment to provide wifi in communal areas of 9 independent living schemes across the city.

Resolved:  (i)      That approval be given to procure a contractor to resolve water hygiene issues and improve the quality of the building at Glen Lodge, and that it be noted that a business case with final costs will be brought before Executive and recommended to Full Council for consideration prior to contracts being signed.

                   (ii)      That the work being undertaken to agree with residents a move from the old wing of Glen Lodge to the newer wing with a package of support measures to minimise disruption and address individual residents’ circumstances prior to the commencement of building works be noted.

                   (iii)     That approval be given to commission design work and submit planning applications for the rear extensions at the identified Bell Farm properties.

                   (iv)    That approval be given to procure a contractor to rebuild the existing bathroom pods and undertake a package of retrofit improvements works at the identified Bell Farm apartments, and that it be noted that a business case with final costs will be brought before Executive and recommended to Full Council for consideration prior to contracts being signed.

                   (v)     That an application be progressed, under Wave 2 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, to seek grant funding towards the cost of retrofit works to the Bell Farm apartments.

                   (vi)    That the work being undertaken to agree with remaining residents of the Bell Farm apartments a move to a suitable alternative property, with a package of support measures to minimise disruption and address individual resident’s circumstances prior to the commencement of building works, be noted.

                   (vii)    That the options for delivering works at the two properties in Bell Farm (Annex 1) which currently belong to leaseholders be noted, and that it be noted that the full business case for the delivery of this project will include details of the preferred option following discussions with the leaseholders and following advice from Legal Services.

Reason:     To address significant health and safety issues and bring accommodation up to a decent homes standard, while ensuring that tenants have acceptable, suitable accommodation in the meantime.