Conservative led Rugby Borough Council is to speed up heating improvements for council homes, replace bathrooms in around 140 properties and buy around 22 new properties after the ruling Conservative group approved the measures. Lib Dem and Labour Councillors abstained from voting.
Photo: Cllr Emma Crane, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for communities and homes, said, “As a landlord we are very mindful of the need to keep investing in our properties to keep them at a high standard. By doubling the number of properties that are to get new heating systems our tenants will be better able to keep warm and well."
Cllr. Crane went on to mention during her rent setting speech that there had been a reducing in rough sleepers in the town and thanked the partnership working that has developed between Rugby and Hope4 with Rugby Borough Council officers working on site to support homeless clients.
Moving onto Rounds Gardens and Biart Place. Cllr. Emma Crane talked of substantial progress has been made in the decanting of Rounds Gardens. Cllr. Crane, "The 121 approach taken with customers is paying dividends as we know their needs and support requirements, allowing us to engage with a whole range of support agencies to ensure a smooth transition to their new home. And the Deconstruction of Biart Place has begun. Officers have worked extremely hard to run this challenging project smoothly and efficiently."
She continued on the subject of affordable housing, "The new supply of affordable homes in the borough, which we’ve been able to do through the Housing Acquisition Fund, is invaluable in helping us to boost the numbers lost through Right to Buy and has helped us to reduce the numbers of those in temporary accommodation and particularly in inappropriate and inexpensive B & B accommodation."
Cllr. Crane rounded her speech taking of other aspects of her role, mentioning the much needed funds raised via the Rugby Lotto, digitalised the grants application process and introducing of a LGBT+ Action Plan based on the recommendations from a survey commissioned with Warwickshire Pride and thank officers for their work.
A pdf of Cllr. Cranes full speech in detail is below.
