Gilton House: Funding pays for heating after cladding removal

Gilton House has been without cladding for two consecutive winters

Elderly residents living in a "freezing cold" council tower block could receive financial support for heating costs.

After Bristol City Council removed the flammable cladding from Gilton House in July 2022, residents have endured two winters without proper insulation.

Alongside increased energy bills, occupants have reported issues with damp and mould inside their flats.

As part of the council's housing budget for next year, a £500,000 hardship fund will be set aside for council tenants.

Of this, £150,000 will go specifically on extra heating costs due to cladding removal.

Built in 1970, the over-60s retirement housing complex in Brislington contains 46 flats and is run by Bristol City Council.

The cladding was removed as part of a initiative to replace the flammable expanded polystyrene (EPS) cladding in several council tower blocks across Bristol.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, residents were told the refurbishment would be completed by July 2023, but construction delays pushed the project back.

Some previously told council bosses they were forced to stay with friends and relatives overnight, as the flats are too cold to sleep in.

Out of the city's 62 high-rise blocks, 37 use flammable expanded polystyrene (EPS) cladding

"These delays have meant they have had very cold and damp flats without insulation, driving up their heating bills which they're concerned about," said Labour councillor, Katja Hornchen.

"We need to make sure this is done in a short space of time, as these are people who don't have access to a huge amount of savings," she added.

The funding, which will come into effect in April, allocates £350,000 for people accessing the local crisis prevention fund, as well as some for increased energy bills in affected blocks.

During a cabinet meeting, deputy mayor Craig Cheney added: "A newly introduced cladding support scheme will support residents affected by increased energy bills resulting from the removal of EPS cladding while it's replaced with an A-rated cladding system."