Issue - meetings

The following 2 Questions were received:

1.     Council Properties in Flimby, Skelmersdale

"Could the Council Leader please advise when council properties in Flimby in Skelmersdale will be re-rendered and have additional insulation installed.  (Submitted on behalf of a Flimby resident)"

Response

" The Council spend around £9.5m per year on maintaining and improving the housing stock.   We have properties across Skelmersdale that have the same external insulation, maintenance requirements and energy performance certificate category as the properties on Flimby. Given this, we are aware that there will be other properties that display the same or similar thermal comfort/efficiency characteristics as those at Flimby.

The Council is currently in the process of undertaking a full stock condition survey and zero carbon study of all our housing stock. This is so the authority can understand where its investment priorities are and develop an evidence based approach to future investment.

We anticipate that the data from the stock condition survey will be validated and uploaded into our Asset Management software between September and December of this year.  Once this is complete, the Asset Management Team will commence programme planning for the short, medium and long term.  This plan will set out the timetable for the improvement programme including thermal efficiency and link in to the Councils Climate Change Strategy and business plan.  It is at this stage we will be able to provide a clear timescale to our resident at Flimby"

2.     Building Site at Bobby Langton Way, Burscough

"Could the Council Leader please advise when something is going to be done about the now semi-derelict building site at Bobby Langton Way, Burscough.  The development company went bust last winter and the half-finished houses are now slowly decaying and becoming an eye-sore.  (Submitted on behalf of a Burscough resident)"

Response

The Council has been in regular contact with Torus Homes, the Registered Provider who own the site in question.  Torus have provided the following response: 

"It is unfortunate that the Burscough FC site has been so substantially disrupted through the problems experienced by the former Contractor Crossfield Living and we fully appreciate the concern this will cause the local community.  As the Developer and Landowner Torus sought to support Crossfield and we hoped that the issues affecting the Company would subside, allowing them to successfully complete the project.  Unfortunately, this was not possible.  Torus are committed to completing the development and bringing the new homes forward in due course.  At this stage we are procuring a new Contractor to complete the works.  We anticipate formally returning to site by the Autumn.  In the meantime, we are taking steps to ensure that the site remains secure.  Should local residents or stakeholders have concerns during the interim period we would encourage you to report these via e-mail to consultations@torus.co.uk and a response will be forthcoming."

Representatives from Torus would be happy to meet with Councillors or any concerned stakeholders should they have specific concerns they wish to discuss.