Barnsley council members received a report detailing new major investment into Barnsley to continue the borough's new build programme.

This is over and above bids currently being developed to build new council homes.

Funding level remains strong at £11.25m, with the council's Strategic Housing department continuing to work with key agencies to secure additional funding where possible.

Funding for both the £4.1m Housing Market Renewal programme in the Dearne and £2m Green Corridor Renewal area in Royston, Carlton and Grimethorpe will allow the completion of programmes of work started last financial year.

-- Advertisement --

The Regional Housing Pot fund will allow the delivery of key initiatives in the town centre, New Lodge and Worsbrough. Energy efficiency programmes and work to return empty properties to use will increase.

The financial year 2009/10 will also see the start of the move from the offer of grants for private sector renewal to a loans-based approach which is in line with agreed sub regional strategy and has the full support of funding agencies.

Funding to adapt private homes for people with a disability has increased marginally to £923,000, allowing the council to adapt around 200 private homes in 2009/10.

Strategic Housing has continued to secure a record allocation for new social housing via the National Affordable Housing Programme funded from the Homes and Communities Agency with successful bids for almost 700 properties. Further bids have been made in early June for a further 100 units in communities in Kendray, Penistone, New Lodge, Goldthorpe, and Cudworth.

(CD/JM)