Kirklees Council Introduces New Fees for Communal Ground Maintenance

Strategic Insights -

Kirklees Council has announced it will start charging tenants for communal grounds maintenance from November 17, as part of its efforts to address financial pressures. The new fees, which will be a maximum of £1 per week, will cover various services including grass cutting, shrub trimming, hedge maintenance, weed control, and herbaceous bed maintenance. Despite opposition from tenants, the council insists the new charge will ensure essential services are maintained.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new fees will be introduced on November 17, 2025, and will be collected in addition to rent.
  • The maximum weekly charge will be £1, depending on the amount of communal grounds maintenance on an estate.
  • The council plans to cut grass every 2-3 weeks during the growing season, trim shrubs once a year, cut hedges once a year, treat weeds once a year, and tidy up herbaceous beds once a year.
  • Councillor Moses Crook, Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport, stated that the council must prioritize spending on essential services due to ongoing financial challenges.
  • Tenants who claim benefits to cover housing costs can include the service charge in their claim.
  • 70 per cent of tenants who responded to the statutory consultation opposed the new charge, citing concerns about rising rents leading to hardship.
  • The Community Alliance group, led by Cllr Cathy Scott, has strongly criticized the decision, describing it as a "backdoor rent rise" that unfairly targets vulnerable tenants.

Statistics:

  • The council expects to save approximately £1,700,000 per year by introducing the new fees for communal grounds maintenance.
  • 70 per cent of tenants who responded to the statutory consultation opposed the new charge.
  • Almost a quarter of respondents felt the current service is poor.
  • The council plans to charge £1 per week, with others paying a higher amount depending on the amount of maintenance on their estate.
  • The new fees will be collected in addition to rent, starting from November 17, 2025.

Sources:

  • Council report published in July
  • Local Democracy Reporting Service article featuring an interview with Councillor Moses Crook, Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport
  • Statement from the Community Alliance group, led by Cllr Cathy Scott