Decision details

The council owns and manages two Highways high rise housing blocks in the Killingbeck area of east Leeds and has been working on proposals to improve their condition and undertake structural strengthening.  No workable solution has been found to be possible with the residents in situ.  As a result the following decisions are planned:

1.  The suspension of new lettings, and the removal of voids from charge as and when properties become vacant;

2.  Home Loss and Disturbance payments and reasonable expenses to be made to qualifying residents, funded by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme;

3.  The commencement of re-housing and the award of priority status for Highways residents

There will be a separate decision at a later date about the future of the blocks following an options appraisal.

That the Director of Resources and Housing noted the content of the report, and:

1.  Approved the suspension of new lettings to the flats in the Highways, and the removal of voids from charge as and when properties become vacant;

2.  Approved the suspension of the garage lets, and the removal of voids from charge as and when they become vacant;

3.  Approved Home Loss and Disturbance payments and reasonable expenses to be made to qualifying residents, funded by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme;

4.  Approved the negotiation and undertaking of the re-purchase of the two leaseholder flats; and

5.  Approved commencement of re-housing and the award of priority status for Highways tenants.

Letters have been delivered to residents to keep them informed of developments in October 2018, November 2018, December 2018, and February 2019. Information/engagement events were held with residents on 7 March 2019 at the Old Fire Station, with transportation provided to residents where required.

Ongoing contact and engagement is planned with residents around rehousing options. This will be provided from a drop in centre for residents based within a vacant ground floor flat (number 66 the Highways) for a temporary period commencing 11 March 2019.

The three local ward councillors have been closely engaged in our plans to improve these blocks and are supportive of the proposals. The Executive Member for Communities has also been engaged and consulted and is supportive of the proposals.

The Highways residents, the Director of Housing and Resources; the Executive Member for Communities (Cllr Debra Coupar); Ward Members for Killingbeck & Seacroft (Cllr Paul Drinkwater; Cllr Katie Dye; Cllr David Jenkins).