Agenda item

The Director of Housing, Economy & Regeneration to present a report which seeks approval to procure major repair and maintenance works at Glen Lodge and Bell farm pods to address significant health and safety issues and bring accommodation up to a decent homes standard.  

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.

The Head of Housing Delivery & Asset Management presented a report which sought approval to procure major repair and maintenance works at Glen Lodge and Bell Farm pods to address significant health and safety issues and bring accommodation up to a decent homes standard.

Details and costs of the work required at Glen Lodge were set out in paragraphs 5-14 of the report, and in paragraphs 15-26 for work required at Bell Farm Avenue, Huntington Road and Middleham Avenue.  A full business case with tendered contract prices would be brought to a future Executive meeting.  In respect of those homes that were currently occupied, a programme of consultation and engagement was taking place with tenants to understand their individual circumstances and wishes and ensure that they could be relocated, temporarily or permanently, to a home that met their needs.  Works were likely to start on site in spring/summer 2023. 

Officers confirmed that work at Glen Lodge would be conducted in accordance with the Moving Homes Safety Protocol.  The Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods welcomed the proposals, stressing the importance of continually upgrading the fabric of the council’s properties.

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.