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.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £250,000;
Decision status:
Wards affected: Killingbeck and Seacroft;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 08/03/2019
Decision due: Not before 6th Apr 2019 by Director of Resources
Lead director: Director of Resources
Department: Resources and Housing
Contact: Jon Andrews, Programme Manager 07712 215525 Email: jon.andrews@leeds.gov.uk.
Consultation process
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.
Consultees
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).