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  "description": "Stoke-on-Trent City Council secures millions in government funding to accelerate fire safety improvements and sprinkler installations across seven local high-rise blocks.",
  "path": "/4-7-million-support-to-increase-fire-safety-in-high-rise-flat-blocks/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-20T08:06:11.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Support the Mission (Tip Jar)"
  ],
  "textContent": "Stoke-on-Trent City Council is accelerating fire safety improvements in high-rise blocks across the city.\n\nLast 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).\n\nSeven high-rise blocks in Stoke-on-Trent have now been confirmed as eligible for the extra funding.\n\nThose 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\n## Local news is broken. Help us fix it in Staffordshire.\n\nWe’re putting people before advertisers. Join our community-led mission to keep ****Staffordshire**** informed by signing up for our ****free Wednesday newsletter.**** Want to go further? Support our non-profit work, and we’ll deliver our ****monthly printed lifestyle magazine**** straight to your front door.\n\nJoin the Mission\n\nEmail sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.\n\n****Sign Up For Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.****\n\nSupport independent local journalism by selecting ****The Staffordshire Signal**** as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google. Help us stay front-and-centre in your news feed.\n\nSeven buildings have already had sprinklers fitted or are close to completion.\n\nHad 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.\n\n> “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.”\n>\n> **— Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning, improvement and governance**\n\nSubject 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.\n\nIf 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.\n\n#### Enjoyed this story?\n\nAs a Community Interest Company, we reinvest every penny into Staffordshire journalism. Your tips help us keep our reporting \"Open Access\" and free for everyone.\n\n\n           Support the Mission (Tip Jar)\n        \n\nEvery contribution stays in Staffordshire. Thank you for being part of the journey.\n\nExplore the heart of our county Use the interactive map above to discover local landmarks, heritage sites, and community-vetted spots. Every interaction helps support **The Staffordshire Signal’s** mission to keep local news free and independent.",
  "title": "£4.7 Million Support to Increase Fire Safety in High-Rise Flat Blocks",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-20T08:06:11.683Z"
}