Home Improvements Cancelled.

Tenants to lose out on new upgrades planned for their homes. 

Charnwood Borough Council housing tenants are not going to get new installations of kitchens and bathroom planned for this year. 

Following amendments to the council’s capital report of the housing revenue account discussed at this year’s first full council meeting the intention to spend £300k to upgrade and install new bathrooms and £70k on new kitchens is not going ahead.  

Shadow cabinet spokesperson for finance, property and assets for Councillor Jewel Miah of Lemyington ward said the money was borrowed against re – mortgaging the properties during Covid and that this money was banked. 

“The Conservatives are again failing to deliver on what we’ve promised. Tenants are paying rent but not getting the services. The council must invest in what people want and need and directly benefit the people of the borough,” said Cllr Miah. 

Shadow lead for Housing and Communities Councillor Mary Draycott of Hastings Ward said the movement of money away from improving the kitchens and bathrooms means again a disappointing year for tenants. 

She emphasised the home improvement funding of £ 140K to go ahead already included in the amended capital plan housing revenue account isn’t new money. 

“The removal of the budgeted £70K on kitchens and £300K on new bathrooms is going to be disappointing for a lot of tenants,” said Cllr Draycott.   

Charnwood Borough cabinet lead for housing Councillor Poland, Wreake Valley ward said the council is incredibly proud of its record on housing with Charnwood having set its own standard and not only following a national one.  

“We put tenants first and quality of housing standard first,” said Cllr Poland. 

“Charnwood has sound finances and we’re in a good position to continue to deliver.”