£86m worth of Improvements for Council Homes

Council properties across Leicester are set to benefit from almost £86 million of improvements.

The city council's cabinet gave the go-ahead for the major investment as part of the council's Housing Capital Programme.

A programme of improvements involves investing almost £85.7 million over the next three years.

Proposals include spending over £31 million in the financial year 2007/8 on key improvements, including £6.25 million on installing uPVC doors and windows, £7.5 million on modernising kitchens and bathrooms, and £4 million on rewiring homes.

Other work will include replacing old, inefficient boilers, installing facilities for disabled occupants and fitting heating and insulation.

Council workmen expect to complete the programme of installing doors and double-glazed windows next year - five years earlier than the original target date set.

Leicester City Council's cabinet member for housing, Councillor Paul Smith, said: "This is an exciting programme which continues with our commitment to deliver the Decent Homes target by 2010. It also allows us to increase the amount of affordable housing in the city, provide facilities for disabled people and assist low income families in improving their properties."