Last updated 12 June 2025, 1:20pm
Information for residents and owners of properties in Beech Rise and Willow Rise, Kirkby
The council wrote to residents and owners of properties in Beech Rise and Willow Rise on Tuesday, 23 May 2025, to inform them that it was taking over a waking watch of the building for a limited period.
These buildings are privately owned – they are not Council-owned buildings. They are currently subject to an enforcement notice by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) due to concerns about their condition. As a result, a ‘waking watch’ was put in place whilst the management company considered the works needed to ensure the buildings comply with legal health and safety requirements.
The waking watch involves a team of trained personnel patrolling the building at all times of the day and night to provide an early warning for occupants in the event of an emergency. However, this was intended only as a short-term solution whilst the wider issues were addressed.
In May 2025, the buildings’ management agent wrote to flat owners in the building to state that it was not able to fund the repairs that are needed, including repairs to the buildings’ lifts, and that the management company (Parklands) would no longer be able to fund the waking watch after 21 May 2025.
MFRS has confirmed that if the waking watch ends without the repairs being carried out, it will have no option but to declare the buildings unsafe and issue a prohibition notice, which will require all residents to move out immediately.
For that reason, Knowsley Council has agreed to temporarily take over responsibility for the provision of the waking watch for a short period of time. This can only be continued for a matter of weeks rather than months, due to the costs involved. This has been done for the sole purpose of avoiding the need for an emergency evacuation of the building and to give residents more time to plan what they may do in the event that a prohibition notice is served.
The Council is also in ongoing discussions with Government and the various parties with involvement in the ownership and management of Beech and Willow Rise. A positive meeting took place on 5 June 2025 with the agent for one of the headlessors, who has indicated they will investigate whether they are able to assist with arranging works to address the immediate fire safety issues at Beech & Willow Rise, to avoid the buildings being prohibited and residents having to leave.
However, at this stage, there is no certainty as to what, if anything, they can do.
A further meeting took place on Tuesday, 10 June. The council was advised that the agent for the headlessors needs more time to determine the feasibility of carrying out repairs which might prevent the need for a prohibition notice to be served. They currently have contractors on site carrying out assessments on their behalf. We will meet with them again early next week and will share any updates for residents here.
In the meantime, given the condition of the buildings and the safety concerns, the risk of a prohibition notice remains.
We will continue to support residents, and keep them updated as soon as we know more. This page is being regularly updated – so please check back for the latest.
If remedial works are not carried out, and the waking watch ends, residents will be unable to remain in their property at Beech Rise and Willow Rise, which is why we are still advising residents to consider their options for alternative accommodation.
But as there is now some possibility of remedial works being carried out, we have updated our advice for residents, which you can find on this page.
On this page we are setting out some of the commonly asked questions and the information that we have to help answer these. As these buildings are privately owned, and not owned or managed by Knowsley Council, we are not able to answer everything that you will want and need to know.
This is a fast-moving situation with many different parties involved, so our advice may change as we receive new information. Below is the based on the latest information available to the council as of June 6th 2025.
Please keep checking back for the latest.
Beech Rise and Willow Rise FAQs
Beech Rise and Willow Rise FAQs
What is the Council’s involvement with Beech Rise and Willow Rise?
These buildings are privately owned and not owned or managed by Knowsley Council.
However, we want to offer as much help and advice about the steps you now need to take.
The decision not to repair the buildings, and to end the waking watch, was taken by the buildings’ management company – Parklands (Kirkby) Management Company Limited - not Knowsley Council or Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS).
The Council was notified that the company intended to end the waking watch on Wednesday 21 May 2025, which would have left residents with very little time to move out their belongings and find somewhere else to live. The Council therefore took the decision to take over the waking watch and extend it for a limited time to prevent an emergency evacuation of the buildings.
As we do not own or manage these buildings, we may not be able to answer all your questions – but we will help as much as we can.
Why can’t the Council fund the repairs to the buildings?
Knowsley Council does not own Beech Rise or Willow Rise – they are privately owned. The Council has not had any previous involvement in the maintenance (or lack of) within the buildings. The buildings require multi-million pounds of investment which the Council does not have. In order to support residents and give them more time to find alternative accommodation, the Council has agreed to extend the waking watch for a short period of time.
Will the Council find me somewhere else to live?
If the building is placed under a prohibition order, you may be unable to return to the buildings. We strongly recommend that residents consider the housing options that may be available to them in the event that this happens. That could be with friends or family or by checking property websites and social media for advertised homes which would meet your needs.
If residents are unable to make alternative arrangements for themselves, the Council may be able to offer temporary emergency accommodation, but this may need to be in hotels and or bed and breakfasts and could be outside of Knowsley simply based on availability of accommodation. Depending on residents’ individual circumstances it may be that they need to contribute towards the cost of such.
Any residents that feel they may need such support in the event of the buildings being prohibited are urged to contact the Council’s Housing Solutions service for more information.
W: Visit www.knowsley.gov.uk and search ‘housing solutions’
T: 0151 443 2333
E: housingsolutions@knowsley.gov.uk (Please include Beech or Willow Rise in the subject line to allow us to answer your email more quickly)
When do I need to move out?
The council can only extend the waking watch for a limited period (weeks rather than months). If conditions within the building are not brought up to an acceptable safety standard, when the waking watch ends, the Fire Service will have no option but to serve a prohibition order on the buildings, meaning residents must leave immediately.
The reason we are unable to give an exact date for the waking watch to end is that the situation has the potential to change. For now, the waking watch is sufficient to prevent the need for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service to issue a prohibition notice (which would mean all residents would need to leave the building immediately, and re-entering would be prohibited by law). However, the building is in a poor condition and should MFRS assess that the risk increases for any reason, an immediate evacuation may be needed.
In addition, the daily costs of the waking watch are significant, as it requires that there are six officers patrolling the buildings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The longer the waking watch is in place, the higher the cost of providing this service, which is why the council is only able to fund this for a short period of time.
We are therefore not able to give any guarantees about how long residents can remain in the building, which is why we are advising people to consider making alternative arrangements. We appreciate that people may not be able to immediately secure permanent accommodation and would advise that they consider alternative arrangements in the short term. We understand that this may not be easy and we are offering help and assistance where possible. Help and advice is available by contacting the council’s Housing Solutions service:
W: Visit www.knowsley.gov.uk and search ‘housing solutions’
T: 0151 443 2333
E: housingsolutions@knowsley.gov.uk (Please include Beech or Willow Rise in the subject line to allow us to answer your email more quickly)
Is it safe for me to stay in the property at the moment?
Whilst the waking watch is in place, there are suitable measures in place to warn and inform you in the event of an emergency. Therefore, there is no requirement for emergency rehoming at this stage.
If the waking watch has to end, and safety conditions in the building have not improved, no such measures would be available and remaining in the buildings would be prohibited by law.
Why can’t the waking watch be made permanent / go on for longer?
The waking watch can only ever be a temporary solution – it is intended as a last resort whilst essential maintenance is carried out to ensure the safety of the building.
The waking watch was previously funded by the building owners’ managing agents – they stopped funding this after 21 May 2025. In order to prevent the need for an emergency evacuation, Knowsley Council has stepped in to provide this waking watch, at a cost of almost £3,000 per day.
If the waking watch comes to an end, and there has been no improvement to the safety conditions of the building, Merseyside Fire and Rescue will have no choice but to serve a prohibition notice which declares the building to be unsafe and unfit to be occupied. At this point, all residents must leave.
Due to the cost of the waking watch, and with no guarantees that building repairs will be carried out, our current advice to residents is that they should continue to make plans to find alternative accommodation.
What happens if I refuse to leave / can I choose to stay?
If the waking watch ends and the building remains in an unsafe condition, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service will serve a prohibition notice on the buildings, which means entering the buildings will be prevented by law. Therefore, you must vacate the property. Without the waking watch, your safety within the building cannot be guaranteed.
For that reason, we are advising residents to consider their options for alternative accommodation.
If you are at risk of homelessness, please register as soon as possible for Property Pool Plus. You can do this by visiting www.propertypoolplus.org.uk or calling 0151 443 2333.
Is there any financial help available?
If you are experiencing financial hardship as a result of moving home, there are some existing schemes that may be able to help. Please take a look at the Council’s Emergency Support Scheme for more information – visit www.knowsley.gov.uk and search for ‘emergency support’. If you cannot apply online, you can ring our contact centre on 0151 443 3200, and one of our advisors will take your application over the phone. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.45pm.
Support with the cost of food and other household essentials is available through a number of community organisations. Details of what is available and how to access it can be found by visiting www.knowsley.gov.uk/knowsley-offer
Sometimes grants are available if you meet specific criteria. Use the Grants Search on the Turn2us website to see if you could be eligible for a grant which you will not need to repay. You may also be eligible for benefits and other entitlements you are not aware of. Claiming these will increase your income – visit Turn2us and use their ‘benefits calculator’ to see whether you are missing out.
Citizens Advice Knowsley can offer help with welfare benefits, debt and financial support. As well as offices in Huyton and Kirkby, you can visit their website or call their advice line for help and support. Find out more by visiting www.citizensadviceknowsley.org.uk or call 0808 278 7839.
What help can I get with moving my belongings?
You may need to hire a van or instruct a removal firm to assist with this or ask friends and family to help you.
You may be able to receive help with removal costs, but you must be in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit which includes the housing element. You will need to make a claim for a Discretionary Housing Payment, visit the Knowsley website - Discretionary housing payments.
There may also be support through the Council’s Emergency Support Scheme. Further information is available on the Council’s website.
If you want to dispose of large or heavy items which won’t go into your household waste bin, you can arrange for them to be collected separately. Further information about bulky waste collection can be found on the Council’s website.
You must not leave rubbish or bulky items on corridors or in communal areas. The building management company has withdrawn the caretaker so this will not be removed. Please be respectful of your neighbours who will also need clear access to these areas to remove their belongings too.
What about pets?
Please make sure you take any pets with you. If you are unable to bring your pet to your new accommodation, please make alternative arrangements for them. Do not leave pets in the property when you leave. The Council’s Dog Warden can provide advice – email environmentalhealth@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 4712.
Do I still need to pay rent, even if I’m no longer able to live there?
You will need to speak to your landlord to discuss the situation. You may also want to seek legal advice or help from an organisation such as Citizens Advice.
I am a homeowner – what happens to the value of my property?
This is not something that the Council can advise on. Owners of properties within the building should speak with their building insurance providers, mortgage lenders and/or legal advisors for advice based on their own specific circumstances.
Further information about legal rights is also available via Citizens Advice. This can be accessed by visiting their website https://www.citizensadviceknowsley.org.uk/, calling their free Adviceline on 0808 278 7839, sending a Whatsapp message to 0151 294 6309 or emailing advice@citizensadviceknowsley.org.uk
Do I still need to pay my mortgage, even if I’m no longer able to live there?
You should contact your mortgage provider and explain the situation and they will be able to outline their position. Again, you may also want to seek legal advice or help from an organisation such as Citizens Advice.
Also, you’ll need to notify your insurance company if you have contents insurance.
Do I still need to pay my Council Tax?
If you vacate your property at Beech Rise or Willow Rise, an exemption from Council Tax at that address will be granted but you will need to inform us of your new address (even if this is a temporary address). You can inform us of a change of address here.
You can do this here or by calling the Council Tax line on 0151 443 4476. This phone number can also be used to obtain further information regarding Council Tax at your new address.
Do I still need to pay for utilities?
You will need to contact your energy company as well as water and broadband companies.
Other practical advice
If you move, remember to cancel any subscriptions you have that are linked to your address at Beech Rise or Willow Rise.
You will also need to contact your GP, dentist, school, employer, DVLA if you have a driver’s license, TV licensing, HMRC (for example if you claim child benefit), Department for Work and Pensions (if you are a Universal Credit claimant or in receipt of any other Benefits).
If you are renting your property, you should contact your landlord to give them notice of your intention to move out. Please note, you may be liable to continue paying rent so make sure you check the terms of your tenancy.
You may also wish to seek legal advice either from your own solicitor, or via Citizens Advice Bureau.
Mental Health support
Having to move and having uncertainty about the future can be a source of worry and stress – you’re not alone and help and support is available.
If you no longer feel able to cope and need urgent help, call the NHS Mental Health crisis line. NHS staff will support you to get the help you need. Available 24/7 - call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. If your life is at imminent risk, please call 999 for immediate help.
You can also contact the Samaritans - a safe place to talk 24 hours a day about whatever is troubling you. Call 116 123.
Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs support. Text “Shout” to 85258. If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, trained Shout Volunteers are here for you.
You can also speak to your GP if you need help or if you are worried about someone else.
You can also access help and support online by visiting www.kindtoyourmind.org. There are other sources of support listed on the Council’s website here.
What will happen to the building in the long term? Will I ever be able to return?
That is a matter for the management company and buildings’ owners. The buildings are privately owned and are not owned or managed by Knowsley Council.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has been clear that unless the necessary remedial works are carried out, the building will remain subject to a Prohibition Order which prevents people from living there.
Should this happen, the Council will work with the management company and partners to manage the long-term security of the buildings.
Will I be compensated?
Knowsley Council isn’t able to advise on this. It is a matter for you to take up with your insurance company, legal advisor or with the buildings’ management or freeholder direct.
Further information about legal rights is also available via Citizens Advice. This can be accessed by visiting their website https://www.citizensadviceknowsley.org.uk/, calling their free Adviceline on 0808 278 7839, sending a Whatsapp message to 0151 294 6309 or emailing advice@citizensadviceknowsley.org.uk
How has the building been allowed to get into such a bad condition?
Like any privately owned property, the repair, maintenance and upkeep of it is the responsibility of the building owners.
It is usual in multi-occupied premises such as Beech & Willow Rise for the individual property leases to set out the maintenance responsibilities of both the landlord(s) and occupier. Where a landlord retains responsibility for elements of maintenance, they ordinarily seek to discharge these responsibilities via a management company or residents’ management company. This could include items such as building insurance, cleaning of common areas, decoration, utility costs as well as repairs and ultimate replacements of items such as ventilation, lifts etc.
In order to cover the costs of this, the management company will usually charge occupiers an annual service charge, and they must ensure that this raises enough money to cover the costs of the above.
The council is aware that there is a Management Company in place at Beech & Willow Rise (and has been for some time). They are Parklands Kirkby Ltd.
However, we are unaware of:
- what the legal structure is in terms of maintenance liabilities within the two blocks and who is therefore responsible,
- what service charge arrangements in place,
- If residents have been making such payments and
- If they have, what that money has been spent on.
Unfortunately, it would be for the Management Company to provide residents with answers to these questions, as only then will residents be able to determine why this situation has arisen. Clearly the issues affecting the blocks have developed or a prolonged period of time.
What action has the council taken?
These buildings are privately owned and are not owned or managed by Knowsley Council. We are only able to operate within the legal powers that we have, and we are not able to use public funds to cover costs that are the responsibility of the buildings’ owners.
As a result of concerns raised by residents and MFRS, our Environmental Health team has undertaken numerous site visits in recent years. In some cases, we have placed prohibition orders on individual properties and supported residents to be rehoused. We have gone above and beyond our statutory responsibilities to try and secure the best possible outcome for the residents of Beech Rise and Willow Rise, including multiple offers to support and working with the management company to identify the steps needed to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
It must be noted that the Council is only able to take action related to individual properties within the building, not the building as a whole (this is something only MFRS are able to do).
We were informed in May 2025 that the building management company did not have the funds to carry out the necessary repairs, or continue its waking watch past 21 May 2025. If that waking watch had ended on 21 May, MFRS would have placed a prohibition order on the buildings, and all residents would have had to immediately leave the buildings.
In order to prevent an emergency evacuation, Knowsley Council took over the waking watch, in order to give more time for residents to make alternative arrangements. With the managing agent stating that no funds were available for the necessary remedial works, the extension of the waking watch could only delay the need to move from the buildings, rather than prevent it.
Since May 2025, the council has been in contact with the Government to attempt to identify support for the residents, and has been meeting with the various parties who have an interest in the ownership or management of Beech and Willow Rise.
A positive meeting took place on 5 June 2025 with the agent for one of the head lessors, who has indicated they will consider whether they are able to carry out remedial works that may address the immediate fire safety issues at Beech & Willow Rise, to avoid the buildings being prohibited and residents having to leave.
However, at this stage there is no certainty as to what, if anything, they can do.
We will continue these conversations but in the meantime, given the condition of the buildings and the safety concerns, the risk of a prohibition notice remains.
We continue to support residents, and will keep them updated as soon as we know more. This page is being regularly updated – so please check back for the latest.
We have also been hosting a series of ‘Community Surgery’ events at Centre 63, Old Hall Lane, Kirkby. This has allowed residents to speak with officers from the Council and partner agencies are all about a range of issues, not just housing.
Further sessions may be arranged if needed – please check this page for any future updates.
I need information in another language / format
If you need this information in another language or format, please call 0151 443 2333.
