Housing offices closed by new law

The council says it cannot afford to upgrade premises for the disabled

Three housing offices in West Yorkshire will have to close their doors to council tenants in the New Year because they cannot meet new disability laws.

The new Disability Discrimination Act requires that public buildings are accessible to all customers and do not discriminate against disabled people.

Kirklees Council says it would be too expensive to adapt premises in Colne Valley, Crosland Moor and Heckmondwike.

From 14 January, tenants wanting to use the services must use the telephone.

Sub-standard offices

The council said the decision to close the offices was taken by Kirklees Neighbourhoood Housing because "it is beyond the company's resources to bring the premises up to the public access standards required".

Bringing all three offices up to that standard would cost £178,919, a council spokeswoman told BBC News.

Kirklees chief executive Simon Rogers said: "The three offices affected are small and not up to the standards we want to provide for our customers and staff.

"We don't want to plough in money that could be better spent on improving overall the ways in which customers can contact us.

"I know this may be a controversial decision for customers living in these areas, but we would ask them to listen to our proposals on how we are planning to improve the way they can contact us.

"We can offer an appointment to discuss any housing issue with a customer in their own home."

Home visits

Tenants wanting to contact their local housing office can use the following numbers: Colne Valley: 01484 222100 (from 18 March); Crosland Moor: 01484 222120 (from 14 January); Heckmondwike: 01924 325600 (from 14 January) .

Local tenants can also request a home appointment with a housing officer or make contact through other local housing offices.

The moves have been discussed with local tenants associations and ward councillors, and managers will have further discussions over the next month.