Are roses for Saltaire the best way to spend housing cash?

1.55.00pm GMT Wed 24th Feb 2010

Councillors question whether Incommunities should spend money on roses rather than houses

Cllr David Ward has asked why rose beds are being replanted in Saltaire by Incommunities but residents across Thorpe Edge, Ravenscliffe and Fagley are being told that they cannot have environmental works such as fences repaired. Incommunities say they can only pay for work to meet the Decent Homes Standard and not fences to improve security and the environment.

Cllr John Watmough has also questioned the spending because the Shipley area including Windhill, has the greatest number of Incommunities homes which do not meet the Decent Homes Standard

Cllr Ward said,

" I am delighted to see that Alexander Square is to get new roses but it seems to me very unfair that Incommunities appear to have one set of standards for one group of tenants and a different one for another.

Many residents in Thorpe Edge, Ravenscliffe and Fagley have complained and petitioned Incommunities who have consistently refused to do environmental works. Many resident are frightened by anti-social behaviour or cannot allow their children to play in the garden because they do not have a fence. It seems to me that they are not treating tenants equally.

I have written to Geraldine Howey asking her for an explanation for this inconsistency and that she instigates a programme of environmental improvements to fencing across Thorpe Edge, Fagley and Ravenscliffe immediately.

Cllr Watmough said,

"Incommunities priority should be to get their homes up to decent standards before planting roses. "