Improvement programme
In the next financial year the Trust is planning to spend over £11 million on the delivery of property improvements between April 2005 and March 2006.
This will see the Trust back on track in terms of delivering the promises we made at Transfer.
Our main spending areas in 2005/06 will be as follows:
Improvements |
Spend | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Central Heating |
£ 2.6m | 992 |
| Double Glazing |
£ 2.6m | 938 |
| Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete Property Works |
£ 2.3m | 60 |
| Electric Upgrades |
£ 1.6m | 777 |
| Kitchen Upgrades |
£737,000 | 282 |
| Bathroom Upgrades |
£445,000 | 208 |
| Environmental Improvements |
£500,000 | |
| Sheltered Housing–Specialist Works |
£195,000 | |
| Adaptations for disabled people |
£150,000 | |
| Door Entry Schemes to Flats |
£20,000 | |
| Energy Efficiency measures |
£20,000 | |
Total spend |
£11.163m |
Our major investment plans are described in more detail below.
Central heating
Many of your homes do not have a source of heat in all of the main rooms, and many are heated by inefficient warm air systems. Our largest programme of work will allow us to make significant further progress to add to the 1900 homes which we will have completed between July 2002 and
March 2005. During 2005/06 the main areas of work will be in
Northwich, Grange Estate, Weaverham Farm, Rudheath Wharton Gardens and Frodsham.
Double glazing
We want all your homes to benefit from double glazing. In 2005/06 our programme will concentrate on some large neighbourhoods where homes still have timber windows: Wharton Gardens, Crook Lane, parts of Frodsham, Greenfields and Danefield. We will also tackle a number of smaller outlying villages including Rushton (Eaton) and Whitley.
PRC property works
The Trust owns a portfolio of old, system-built concrete houses, which are structurally defective. In 2005/06 we intend to carry out remedial work on the “Cornish” houses in Frodsham. We are still in the process of deciding the options available to us in relation to the “Airey” properties, and how best to spend the £2.2m available during 2005/06. We have been consulting individually and collectively with tenants and we hope to complete the exercise early in 2005, with a view to commencing on site in two locations during 2005/06.
Electrical rewires and upgrades
Our experience to date informs us that tenants are concerned to ensure that their electrical installations are safe. Rewiring, solely on the basis of age of installation is not essential. We have found that it is both safe and cost effective to upgrade the electrical services at the same time as bathrooms or kitchens are being renewed and we will continue to work on this basis. We will continue to rewire or upgrade those homes where we know from our testing programmes that works are a priority namely those located in Crook Lane, Wharton Gardens, Davenham.
Kitchen upgrades
We are continuing to replace large numbers of kitchens when homes become empty and in response to day to day repair inspections. This will account for 150 new kitchens in 2005/06. We also propose renewing kitchens in some of our older sheltered housing schemes, namely Meadow Court Oathills Lea (annex only) In addition we will carry out an upgrade in one complete neighbourhood. This will take place in homes in Greville.
Bathroom upgrades
As with the kitchen programme, we anticipate replacing sanitary ware in around 200 dwellings when homes become empty and in response to day to day repair inspections. This rate of work is sufficient to deliver the total number of forecast bathroom upgrades. Progress will be monitored during the year and a neighbourhood approach may be introduced, should total upgrades not reach the number we promised when your homes were transferred to the Trust.
Environmental improvements
The Trust has appointed landscape architects, BCA Landscape to work with us and consult with tenants on the Crook Lane, Over and Wharton Gardens estates. A programme of environmental improvements is likely to result, and details will emerge following completion of the consultation in January 2005. If this pilot is successful we will consider extending this approach to other neighbourhoods within the Trust.
Sheltered housing schemes linked to a house Manager - specialist works
Our sheltered housing schemes will benefit from specific investment as part of our
ongoing commitment to create a safe and accessible environment for older people. The programme will include:
- improvements to access for the disabled.
- fire alarm and emergency lighting upgrades
- plumbing and heating improvements
- flat roof replacements
Details of individual schemes will be discussed with residents and house managers before schemes are implemented.
Download our Programme Improvements 2005 to 2008
