Caerphilly County Borough Council has revealed the extent of repairs it faces to bring its housing stock up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.
Tenants were voting on a proposal for the homes to transfer to the new, not-for-profit, Community Housing Mutual, Castell Mynydd.
As a result, it means Caerphilly County Borough Council will spend up to a total of £200m repairing the houses – an increase of almost £30m on the original £173m budget.
Cllr Gerald Jones, deputy leader of council and cabinet member for housing, said: “The council has already spent in excess of £30million over the past three years, now we have unveiled plans to invest a further £200m up to 2019/20 to deliver massive improvements to tenant’s homes across the whole area.”
Tenant representatives have been elected to work closely with the council on delivering its repair programme.
The first Housing Task Group meeting took place recently where councillors and tenants met and agreed to work together to ensure the programme is fit for purpose. They also agreed to call the new service ‘Caerphilly Homes’.
The council’s own analysis of current stock shows there are more than 4,000 homes that need new kitchens, bathrooms, rewiring, and heating. There are more than 9,500 homes that require just a new kitchen and around 8,500 homes that require a new bathroom.
Cllr Jones added: “In order to ensure every home has a consistent, high-quality of work we have proposed to procure a single source supply partner which will ensure a standard approach to product specifications. Our intention is to develop long term arrangements which will help sustain local jobs, offer skills development and training opportunities and deliver wider community benefits.”
A wide range of contracts will be available over the duration of the works and special pre-procurement events are planned in October to allow interested firms to find out more.
Another election promise kept by the Labour Council?????