Counting the cost of derelict buildings

“I thought the council was either going to do them up or pull them down. Instead nothing has happened. It’s an absolute eyesore.

“After eight months of looking at that scaffolding I thought someone was taking the Michael. Who is paying for it? It can’t be cheap.”

In response to Mr Farey’s FoI request a spokeswoman for Kirklees Council said Lepton-based property maintenance company Geckops Ltd are “the preferred supplier” for all scaffolding required by the authority providing scaffolding to various council buildings and council-owned property “as and when required.”

She added that they are paid a composite amount each month and that “it is not broken down by individual property.”

Council accounts for 2016 show that in just one month last year Geckops received payments totalling £73,183.62.

Responding to Mr Farey’s FoI request Kirklees Council replied: “The scaffolding was installed following concerns with the roof covering, which was loose due to ongoing vandalism and in danger of falling to the ground and causing injury. The scaffolding would act as a crash deck for any roof covering falling from the roof.

“The scaffolding will remain until the demolition of the properties is completed.”

It was hoped that demolition would take place in 2016 following the purchase of number 184. However the timescale has now shifted to late 2017.