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Almost all council housing in Caerphilly County Borough meets the Welsh Government’s quality guidelines, the council has said.

According to Caerphilly County Borough Council, 99.02% of its total housing stock complies with the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS).

The WHQS is a set of standards all council and housing association homes must follow – meaning they must be in good condition, adequately heated and well insulated, with up to date kitchens and bathrooms.

The council has spent £261m on the programme since it first began.

In the 2020/21 financial year, the council received more than £7m from the Welsh Government’s Major Repairs Allowance, which went towards its WHQS programme.

As part of the programme, new and refurbished playing areas and skate parks have been fitted across the borough in areas near council housing.

Cllr Lisa Phipps, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said the council was on track to complete its WHQS programme despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr Phipps said: “As this programme is nearing completion, we are also now beginning to embark on our exciting journey to increase our housing stock and help to meet the local demand for affordable housing. 

“As well as purchasing former council homes, sold previously through the Right to Buy, we are also beginning our own programme of development that will see new high-quality homes built throughout the county borough.”

A number of homes being built on the site of the former Bedwellty Comprehensive School in Aberbargoed will become part of the council’s stock.

New flats being built in Trecenydd and Trethomas will also become council-owned.