Better Homes for Cambridge: New Windows for Council Tenants, City to push for hundreds more Affordable Homes, £7 Million to bring City Homes up to Standard, New Loans Scheme for Private Tenancies & Big Modernisation Programme for Sheltered Flats

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Jul 2003

In a packed agenda, the Housing and Health Scrutiny Committee will assess multi million pound proposals to improve city's housing stock. Appearing for the last time as Executive Councillor for Housing and Health, Councillor Ian Nimmo-Smith says:

"These plans show that the Lib Dems have put housing - both public and private - at the very top of our agenda."

New Windows for All

"I am delighted to announce a speed-up and expansion of our plans to replace every single council house window with modern PVCu double glazed units. Thanks to our council's achievement in paying off all outstanding debts, we are able to afford a completion of this work within three years - instead of five."

Affordable Homes

The committee will also look at Lib Dem proposals to insist that up to half of most housing developments in the city will be "Affordable Housing" (low cost rented or shared ownership) built in partnership with an approved housing association.

Says Cllr Nimmo-Smith, "We need over 700 new affordable homes each year. This is a huge challenge but one we in the Lib Dem party are determined to achieve if Government provides the resources".

Council House Standards: Good Marks - but more to do

A very recent survey of the condition of Cambridge City Council's 8000 council houses has brought the comment from consultants FDP Savills: "The stock has generally been well maintained on a day to day basis and limited outstanding repairs are identified during our inspections."

But this is not time to be complacent, says Cllr Nimmo-Smith. "Despite this evidence that Lib Dem controlled city council has looked after this housing well there is a need to invest significant sums both to ensure that all housing reaches and remains within the government's 'Decent Homes' standard over the remainder of the decade.

"We have been able to identify £7 million a year over the next six years to pay for this work. However the council is needing to look at ways in which necessary investment at this level can be continued over future decades".

Private Owner-occupiers - Help at hand to improve their Homes

Private Landlords - Keep your Properties occupied & in Good Repair

The Lib Dem council is suggesting a new loans system to help low-income owner-occupier households tackle problems of disrepair. The loan would be repaid only when the house is sold or otherwise changes hands.

"We are concerned about the welfare of people living in property that is in disrepair. If they are owner-occupiers we may be able to help them with a small loan that only need be paid off when the house is sold," says Councillor Nimmo-Smith.

Housing that is standing empty or is rented in a state of disrepair will come in for special attention.

"We will continue, as in Rock Road, to use compulsory purchase as a last resort if houses stand empty too long. Alternatively we will consider giving grants so that property can be leased and managed by a housing association to provided much-needed affordable rented accommodation. Our approach is to make clear to the landlord what the required standards are and to use more rigorously the statutory enforcement powers against uncooperative landlords", says Cllr Nimmo-Smith

Going Solar! - Sheltered Flats get 21st Century Treatment

Plans are afoot to modernise the sheltered flats at Rawlyn Court. These will provide 26 self-contained flats improved to a high standard with new bathrooms, kitchens, central heating. This also includes the building of two new bungalows on adjacent at the rear of Elfleda Road. The present 1960s scheme has shared toilet and washing facilities and is likely to become difficult to let as expectations have risen over the years. Solar energy will be used for the energy needs of part of the scheme.

Notes:

1. The Housing and Health Scrutiny Committee meets on Wednesday 9 July at 17:30 in Committee Room 1 in the Guildhall.

2. The window replacement programme does not apply to sheltered housing or certain historic properties.

3. The affordable housing proposal is given a significant boost by a recent 'housing needs survey' conducted by independent consultants Fordham Research which reveals that there is a need for well over 700 new affordable units a year, over and above current levels of turnover and growth. This gives strength and validity to the increase of the 'affordable share' from 30% (now) to 50% when the revised local plan finally comes into effect.

4. These initiatives come after the publication of The Private Sector Stock Condition survey by Fordhams Research was published earlier this year.