Millions to be spent on improving Staffordshire council homes

The cash will go towards installing new kitchens, bathrooms and boilers.

Bosses at Cannock Chase Council say some of the cash will also go towards buying 80 new homes to add to its current stock.

Councillor Frank Allen, housing portfolio leader at the district council, said: "The range of dwelling improvements will significantly improve the facilities and energy efficiency of our housing stock.

"The provision of 80 additional council dwellings will help some of the many households who are on our waiting list.

"We are very lucky here in Cannock to have this money, especially in the economic climate. I don't think many other local authorities would be able to spend as much.

"We've done well to make savings over the years to gather this money."

The money will be spent over a three-year period from April.

The programme of improvements include external maintenance works and environmental improvements to more than 2,300 properties, replacing 300 outdated kitchens and more than 1,000 outdated bathrooms.

New boilers and other improvements will be made to 745 central systems, 1,500 electrical systems will be upgraded, double glazing will be installed at 3,470 properties and 80 new homes will be added to the council's stock of properties.

The improvements are being funded through a combination of council borrowing, capital receipts and energy company obligation monies.

Council spokeswoman Kirsteen Miles added: "There are no implications for council taxpayers as all the improvements would be financed through the housing revenue account."

It was announced last week that rents will rise for tenants in council-owned properties across Cannock Chase.

The council's cabinet approved plans to raise rents for tenants by an average of £3.22 per week at the start of April.

Income generated by the increase will contribute towards affordable housing, bosses say. The council looks after 5,361 properties across the district in towns including Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford.

Bosses also agreed to freeze council tax, avoiding a costly referendum asking taxpayers if they would be willing to pay more.

Plans to spend the cash were approved by cabinet on Thursday.

It was also agreed at the meeting to spend thousands on replacing 11 service vehicles.