Key investment in council homes
The maintenance and improvement of existing council homes remains a key priority in West Lothian Council's Housing Capital budget with approximately £8.2million to be invested in planned programme work during this financial year from April 2024 until the end of March 2025.
Planned programme work during 2024/25 includes projects featuring the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms, window and door refurbishments and renewals, stair upgrades and fencing programmes.
The programme can be seen in action in Bridgend where 82 council properties have been benefiting from window and door refurbishments/renewals and a further 102 properties are planned.
There are 377 full window and door upgrades planned across West Lothian with approximately £2.76million allocated towards achieving this during this financial year.
Windows and door upgrades are essential to keep properties in compliance with the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) and contribute towards meeting Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH).
The window replacement element of the programme requires specialist operatives with CR Smith appointed as contractors following a tendering process.
Executive councillor for housing services, George Paul visited properties in Bridgend alongside representatives from the council's Building Services and CR Smith to see work being carried out first hand.
Councillor Paul said: "The maintenance and improvement of council properties is of vital importance to West Lothian Council and significant investment has been committed to this aim.
"I was pleased to have the chance to see the work in action in Bridgend and hear from tenants how pleased they were with the work carried out by building services staff and partners."
Council Tenants will be contacted to notify of any upcoming work or checks for their property and will often be asked to arrange for operatives to be allowed access to the property to allow them to carry out the essential work.
Councillor Paul added: "Tenants are asked that should they receive a notification from Building Services regarding any capital programme works or essential maintenance checks to please arrange for access for operatives to safely carry out the work."
