Residents Benefit from End of Labour Loan (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Residents Benefit from End of Labour Loan

February 18, 2005 4:24 PM

Residents are set to benefit from the end of the Satman loan taken out in the 1980s by the Labour council. The end of the loan releases £16million to invest in housing in Islington.

The budget lays out details of how this money will be spent and includes

£7.5 million on new kitchens, bathrooms and windows as part of Islington's drive to modernise its housing. £1million invested in tackling anti social behaviour - including substantial investment in lighting and entry phones. £650,000 allocated to communal works to improve the environment in and around social housing. Part of this will be used to pilot a door to door recycling scheme which has not been done before on estates in Islington.

Councillor Jyoti Vaja Executive Member for Housing said.

"The Satman loan has stopped us doing much that would improve housing in Islington. Now this loan has finished there is a real opportunity to invest in Islington and make some real changes.

"This money will be used to tackle key issues, such as modernisation, anti-social behaviour and waste on estates. But little differences will also happen there is more money going into decorating homes for the elders and to help social services maintain residents in their own homes.

"With the two star result, and the end of Satman there is a real opportunity now to invest in Islington and make it a better place for all residents."

Smaller projects also funded include

£500,000 on day to day repairs, putting money into preventative maintenance on our estates. £500,000 to deal with empty properties, improving the time within which empty properties are let and new tenant satisfaction. £500,0000 on planned maintenance enabling a higher quality and standard of work to be carried out. £200,000 on Bulky Rubbish Collection allowing the pilot of additional bulk rubbish collection to be made permanent Doubling the budget for Special Decorations for elders with £100,000 investment. £350,000 for Social Services to maintain tenants in their homes funding direct support and adaptations for tenants with disabilities.