£4.7 million support to increase fire safety in high-rise flat blocks

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is accelerating fire safety improvements in high-rise blocks across the city.

Last year, the government announced over £1 billion of new investment to ensure people living in social housing - as well as privately-owned flats - could benefit from the Homes England Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS). 

Seven high-rise blocks in Stoke-on-Trent have now been confirmed as eligible for the extra funding. 

Those are Pedley Court in Blurton, Robinson Court in Blurton, Arthur Cotton Court in Burslem, Port Vale Court in Burslem, Brookfield Court in Hanley, Boundary Court in Hanley, and Forest Court in Hanley.  

The council has secured £667,500 of "pre-tender support" for each building - a total of £4.7 million. The money will be used to evaluate two recommended options - either installing a full sprinkler system or removing polycarbonate stairwell coverings. The council will then apply to government for the full costs. 

The new funding builds on the Council’s ongoing programme to install sprinklers in apartments and communal areas in all 16 of its high‑rise blocks.  

Seven buildings have already had sprinklers fitted or are close to completion.  

Had new funding not been made available, the council would have had to fund the entire programme by itself. Direct government funding would allow the council to speed up work and manage the process under one programme, rather than phasing it over many years. 

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning, improvement and governance at Stoke-on-Trent city council, said: “This investment will help drive forward the safety improvements we are carrying out in our high-rise blocks – providing real peace of mind for people.

“Residents will not pay for any of this work. No leaseholder will be charged, and no recovery costs will be added. And at every stage of this process we will keep residents informed, answer their questions and provide clear timelines.”

 Subject to cabinet approval, the council will now prepare a full funding application within five months. This will include final designs, full cost breakdowns and engagement with residents.  

 If the full applications are approved, the national Cladding Safety Scheme will pay for the entire cost of the remedial works. This will free up more than £4.2 million of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account capital programme, which could be reinvested in other housing improvements across the city.