Programme launched to continue to improve Council Stock in Barnsley

Berneslai Homes and Barnsley Council officially launched the Barnsley Homes Standard Programme at the end of June.

The programme of works follows on from the completion of the Decent Homes programme and will ensure customers’ homes throughout the Borough are improved and maintained to the standard established by Decent Homes. Berneslai Homes on behalf of the Council are committed to an annual programme of keeping homes to the right standard. This should see approximately 750 homes every year having works undertaken, with a budget of £11 million available for the scheme in 2011-12. This standard meets national expectations and has been agreed with the Barnsley Federation of Tenants and Residents, as one of the local service offers to tenants.

The event which was held at the Barnsley Business Innovation Centre in Cudworth was well attended by partners Home Standardfrom Barnsley Council, Berneslai Homes Construction Services, Kier and the Barnsley Federation of Tenants and Residents. Speeches were made by the Mayor of Barnsley, Councillor Karen Dyson and Chair of Berneslai Homes Suzy Brain England OBE. A visit then took place to a property at Newington Avenue which is currently undergoing works, to officially mark the start of the scheme. The programme in Cudworth is being carried out by Construction Services, with a total of 73 flats and houses undergoing work including central heating, full and partial electrical rewires, kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors, damp works and loft insulation. Works started in May 2011 and are due to commence in October 2011. Mrs Lillian Waltham of Newington Avenue was undergoing works to her home as the scheme was launched adds, "The workers are doing very well, are always on time and the work is lovely."

Berneslai Homes on behalf of Barnsley Council concluded its decent homes programme in December 2010 with all the stock meeting the Government’s decent homes standard. Since the programme started in 2004, the Council have spent £212 million on 13,424 whole house improvements and 4,300 elemental works (mainly central heating and thermal insulation works). Mayor of Barnsley, Councilllor Karen Dyson said,”Thanks to the Decent Homes programme all council stock in Barnsley is wind and weather tight. Properties have good heating systems are safe and have modern kitchen and bathrooms. Everything we all want in a home. Although this is a real achievement, it's really important to maintain it. This is why I'm very proud to launch the Barnsley Homes standard.”

Chair of Berneslai Homes Suzy Brain England OBE concludes, “I would like to thank all our construction partners and the Council for delivering the decent homes programme. The ultimate accolade is the 95% customer satisfaction rate for the overall decent homes programme. I am delighted to launch the new programme of works and wish the programme all the best in improving the homes of so many people across the Borough.”