Cabinet is set to approve a £102 million budget for investment in council properties this year (2010/11) at its meeting today, contributing to a better quality of life for citizens.

Since 2004, the council has invested £673 million of its own money to carry out the decent homes programme, making improvement to 50,000 properties.

Birmingham is one of the few local authorities on track to meet the government's target for 95% decent homes by 2010, despite a report by the Audit Commission predicting that nationally it would be "all but impossible" for all local authorities and housing associations to meet this target.

As part of the council's drive to tackle fuel poverty more council homes will be installed with energy efficient central heating and double glazed windows.

-- Advertisement --

Improving security is also a high priority and all homes will benefit from Secured by Design front doors and windows. The replacement of timber fascias and soffits with pvc materials, the re-roofing of some properties and the execution of other associated works will help to reduce future maintenance costs.

£47 million of the budget will help achieve warm, weatherproof homes with reasonably modern facilities. Over 3000 homes will benefit during the course of the year as part of the council's plans to ensure all council homes meet the government’s decent homes standard.

Councillor John Lines, Cabinet Member for Housing said: "Birmingham's tenants chose to keep the council as their landlord in April 2002, when less than 30 per cent of our stock was decent. When I became cabinet member for housing in June 2004, I was obliged to find a way to deliver decent homes from the council’s own resources.

"We have made excellent progress, despite the inadequate and inequitable government financial support. The level of decency has increased steadily, from 34 per cent in April 2004, to 90 per cent by March 2009. We will exceed the 95 per cent national target this year."

(CD/GK)