New contractor appointed to carry out repairs on council houses

Charnwood Borough Council has about 5,500 council houses in the borough

A Leicestershire council has appointed a new contractor to carry out improvements to council houses.

Charnwood Borough Council, which manages about 5,500 residential homes in the borough, has handed a two-year contract to Jeakins Weir.

The authority said the firm would replace bathrooms and kitchens, as well as refurbish empty council properties to get them back into use.

It has estimated the improvements could bring in an income of £8m.

Last year, the council said it had a backlog of repairs to more than 130 homes.

The authority said the independent construction company would also be responsible for external and internal structural works.

'Better standard'

The contract could also be extended for a further two years, the council added.

Deputy leader Colin Hamilton, who is also the lead member for public and private sector housing for the borough council, welcomed the news, saying: "I am pleased to see this new contract in place as we continue to invest in our housing stock.

"The scheduled improvements will offer a better standard of living for our tenants."

Managing director of the family-owned company, Alistair Weir, said: "We look forward to working closely with Charnwood Borough Council to create comfortable homes that the community can be proud of."