THURROCK Council plans a series of improvements for its 10,000 tenants in the next financial year.
Cllr Andy Smith, the council’s cabinet member for Housing is unable to make Friday’s (18 February) meeting of the cabinet, but said the plans would improve many tenants’ lives.
Speaking before the meeting, he said he was proposing an average rent increase of 6.69 per cent – limited to a maximum of £3 a week – and said the figure was dictated by government imposed formulas.
The new rents come into affect on 4 April.
Cllr Smith, said: “At a time when we are not increasing council tax, a rent rise is not what we’d want for some of the least well-off people in the borough.
“Unfortunately we have no choice and this is the option approved by tenant representatives.”
Cllr Smith also said that Thurrock’s tenants have to pay a subsidy to the government, this year of over £11½ million to support housing nationally, nearly £2 million more than last year.
However, the council is planning a range of improvements for its tenants over the coming 12 months.
Top of the list, said Cllr Smith, was over £1 million being spent on new cladding to the high-rise flats in and around Grays.
A further £3 million is to be spent on new kitchens and bathrooms; and £1½ million on new double glazed windows and doors.
Cllr Smith said: “Although we would have preferred a much smaller, even zero, rent increase, our tenants can be assured that their rents are being spent well to improve their lives and the lives of their families.
“We are looking to carry out a whole list of improvements, including better security to 1,000 homes, and several fire, gas, asbestos, and Legionella safety measures.”
Lets hope Morrisons are not involved, we need reputable building companies to carry out these modernisations, not a company that are on the road to self destruction as they have proved their inability to manage or give a worthwhile service.