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Local Government Minister John Healey Celebrates the Completion of 10,000 Decent Homes Properties in Barnsley
Caption: Local Government Minister John Healey at a visit to Mrs Susan Latham’s recently refurbished home in Bolton on Dearne.
Local Government Minister John Healey and lifelong Barnsley resident Susan Latham came together this week to celebrate the completion of Berneslai Homes’ 10,000th Decent Homes.
The Minister visited Bolton on Dearne and was given a tour of properties which have been improved under the Decent Homes Programme. He met local residents to see the difference this is making to their homes, lives and the community. One of the homes he visited was Mrs Susan Latham of Thurnscoe Road, Bolton on Dearne, to see her recently completed home.
Mrs Latham said: “ I am over the moon with the improvements to my home and the end result is fantastic. The Decent Homes team have kept me informed of what is happening at every stage and the workmen have been really pleasant.”
John Healey said: “I congratulate Berneslai Homes, backed by Barnsley Council, for reaching a huge milestone in delivering 10,000 properties to the Decent Homes standard. This has made a real difference to residents - like Mrs Latham in Bolton on Dearne, who I have met this week – and thousands like her in Barnsley.”
“In 1997 there was a £19 billion backlog of repairs. Since then we have spent £23 billion bringing local authority and social housing up to decent standard. Berneslai has substantially delivered on their decent homes programme with over 90% of the stock brought up to scratch.”
Berneslai Homes were awarded £149 million by the government to spend on homes throughout the Borough. To date with additional resources from Barnsley MBC £210 million has been spent on the decent homes programme with a further £38 million to be spent in the next three years. The Decent Homes programme began in June 2004, to bring each Council owned property up to the Government’s Decent Homes standard by 2010. Under the programme homes could receive a variety of improvements, which may include new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors, fires, boilers, rewiring and external rendering.
Decent Homes Manager, John Lythe adds: ”We are delighted that the Local Government Minister John Healey has visted our customers and was with us to celebrate the landmark of our 10,000 decent homes refurbishment.“
Berneslai Homes have recently announced the decent homes programme for the next 12 months. If you would like any further information then please contact the Decent Homes Team on 01226 772701.
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