Lib Dems' £44 million Housing boost

12.00.00am GMT Thu 27th Feb 2003

Tenants of Islington Council's homes are to benefit from £44 million capital spending in this year's budget, which is to be agreed at Thursday's Council meeting. Most of the money will be invested in the council's programme of housing maintenance and repairs, which includes cash for rewiring, heating, lifts and provision of free smoke alarms. Of the £44 million, £6.6 million is earmarked specifically for security improvements. This will be spent on further rolling out concierge schemes and CCTV across the borough this year. The £44 million for housing is part of a budget that will be put to Council where an extra £15 million has been raised through efficiency gains. This money is being targeted at front line services, like education, social services, environment and conservation and customer focus. Welcoming the budget proposals, Liberal Democrat councillor and Executive Member for Housing Jyoti Vaja said: "The £44 million for housing in this year's budget will have a real positive impact on the quality of life of Islington's council home tenants. The money will be invested in upgrading heating, wiring and lifts, capitalising on the progress we've already made in improving the quality of council-owned homes. "Islington's low grant increase from central government this year and the need to take the initiative and address Islington's inherited financial problems means that this hasn't been an easy budget. "However, through efficiency savings, we have made extra money available. In housing, we have reduced the time properties are left vacant. We are also piloting choice-based lettings, so people can choose a home that suits their needs more quickly. "This budget means we can continue to improve services while keeping council tax below the London average."