Stoke-on-Trent South MP Allison Gardner has welcomed news that controversial plans for a £52-a-year amenity charge are to be scrapped. Stoke-on-Trent City Council had proposed to impose the £1 weekly charge on its 17,000 tenants to help cover the cost of maintaining land within housing estates.
But the plan was met with opposition from hundreds of tenants. And this week, council leaders revealed it is ‘not the right time’ to introduce the charge, and will look at other ways of covering the maintenance costs.
Dr Gardner had written to the council urging them to reconsider the proposal, highlighting the impact the charge would have had on already stretched household budgets. She said “I am delighted that Stoke-on-Trent City Council has listened to the voices of residents and decided to scrap this unfair proposal.
“Tenants were rightly worried about the prospect of having to pay extra for essential services, and I’m pleased to see those concerns have been heard. I want to thank everyone who reached out to me to share their views and raise this important issue.
“Together, we’ve shown how community action can make a real difference.” The council has confirmed that all services covered by the proposed charge will continue to be delivered without additional costs to tenants.
Dr Gardner welcomed this assurance and emphasised the need for continued vigilance to protect the interests of local residents. “My priority is to ensure fair and affordable living for everyone in Stoke-on-Trent South,” she added.
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