Investments totalling more than £13m to make sure Barnsley’s council housing stock is maintained to a decent standard are recommended for approval by Barnsley Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 1 June.

The council first met the Decent Homes Standard for all its stock in December 2010, having invested £300m between 2004 and 2010. Since then, Berneslai Homes has implemented and managed the Barnsley Homes Standard programme to maintain the social rented housing stock at the Decency Standard on behalf of Barnsley Council.

If approved by Cabinet, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Investment Programme for 2022/23 will see £13.487m invested across more than 2,700 properties.

The Barnsley Homes Standard works at 1,259 properties will make sure properties remain at the  required standard across a number of criteria. Works may include a combination of full or partial kitchen or bathroom replacements, heating system improvements, electrical rewires and upgrades and external works to properties.

In addition, there will be various heating replacement works at a further 1,472 properties. Changing from older boilers to more modern ones can save a tenant in a typical semi-detached property about £105 per year. This will contribute towards reducing fuel poverty in the borough while also reducing the carbon footprint of our housing stock.

There will be a further £5.6m in supplemental investments which will include some works to district heating networks, adaptations for tenants with special needs, one-off structural works, and rewiring works at community centres.

Cllr Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We’re dedicated to ensuring our borough has sustainable, quality housing, so you can live in the right house for you. 

“I’m delighted to recommend this significant investment in our social housing. This will make sure tenants can continue to live comfortably, and that our housing stock is maintained and protected for many years to come.”

Berneslai Homes Chief Executive Amanda Garrard said: “This investment will be great news and will ensure that we continue to invest in homes through our Barnsley Homes Standard Programme and maintain them to a decent standard for our tenants.”