First Major Phase of Decent Homes Programme Now Complete

Berneslai Homes on behalf of Barnsley Council concluded its decent homes programme on the 31st December 2010 with all the stock now 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. Works to properties include fitting new kitchens and bathrooms, central heating, insulation and new UPVC windows and doors. Overseen by Berneslai Homes works have been carried out by partners Construction Services, Inspace, Lovells, Kier, Mears, Keepmoat and Henry Boot.


Berneslai Homes’ Development Officer Paula Staniforth (left) with Mrs Parden (right) from Berneslai Close in her new kitchen which has recently been fitted under the decent homes programme. Mrs Parden adds,” I’m really pleased with my new kitchen it’s a lot better and easier to cope with.”

Berneslai Homes Chair Suzy Brain England OBE added,” The decent homes programme has been a great success story and I’d like to thank our partners, the Council and staff for their hard work in delivering this huge investment programme.”

Cabinet Spokesperson for Housing at Barnsley Council Councillor Bill Newman said “It’s fantastic to see the positive impact that the decent homes programme has made to our tenants. It’s really improved their quality of life as the programme has provided modern, comfortable and energy efficient council homes across the Borough. We now embark on the next major phase of works and we look forward to further significant investment over the next 10 years.”

To ensure all Council homes are kept to the Tenant Services Authority homes standard a new programme will be launched in April 2011, called the ‘Maintaining the Barnsley homes standard’. Berneslai Homes have written to all tenants involved in the beginning of this programme and further information can be found on the Berneslai Homes website www.berneslaihomes.co.uk.