REDDITCH council houses will see a £40million investment over the next five years.

At the latest executive committee meeting, a housing revenue account (HRA) business plan and housing asset management strategy were set up with a five-year Capital Investment Programme to deliver it.

The strategy aims to upgrade council houses in the town, including £12.5m in new kitchens, bathrooms, electrical wiring, and heating upgrades, £3.85m on boiler changes and £3.75m on energy efficiency measures including loft, cavity wall and external wall insulation measures.

Portfolio holder for housing, Coun Craig Warhurst, said: “This is one of the biggest injections of cash our council housing stock has seen for many years and these works are a priority for this administration.

“This plan is essential, not just to improve the quality of our properties but for the health and wellbeing of our tenants.

“This investment is now key in overcoming the significant hurdles brought about by the lingering after-effects of the pandemic.”

In order for the programme to be successfully rolled out, tenants are being urged to let contractors and workers into their properties once notified by letter and upon presentation of official ID.

If residents are concerned about scams, staff and contractors will happily let them confirm their ID by calling the main council number.

Council leader, Coun Matt Dormer, said: “I am extremely proud of the decision made by the executive committee to support this multi-million-pound investment, which will drastically improve the quality of life of so many of our tenants.

“Whether in the form of a new bathroom, a warmer more energy efficient property or adaptation opportunities allowing our tenants to remain in the place they call home for longer, substantial changes are on the horizon.”