Milton Keynes Council is committed to investing in its 12,500 council houses. It has now outlined a £165 million investment programme for the next 4 years 2019/20 to 2023/24.

Labour led Milton Keynes reintroduced an annual investment programme in property this year 2018/19 and has now set out its proposals for planned maintenance over the next four years.

Cllr Nigel Long, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration said, “We reintroduced a planned maintenance programme this year. We invested in new roofs, kitchens, doors, windows. We are now setting out our programme of investment for the next 4 years.”

Areas covered for investment includes £33 million on roofing upgrades, and £24 million on new kitchens. Fencing has now been added back in to the planned maintenance. With around £10 million being invested. There will be £3.5 million spent on fire safety.

Cllr Long added, “This year we invested £27 million in planned maintenance. Over the next 4 years we will be investing around £32 million per year. This £165 million investment is on top of the day to day repairs.”

Cllr Long further added, “On top of this we are committed to building 868 new Council houses on sites owned by the Council. I believe we are addressing the long standing failure to invest in existing housing improvements and in the supply of secure affordable housing.”

This investment plan reflects the wishes of tenants who responded to the consultation on the HRA Business Plan. It found 47% of respondents supported ‘Repairing exiting homes’ as the most important priority, followed by 34% who supported ‘investment in services and homes and looking after estates.’

Cllr Long concluded, “We are listening to tenants and are committed to improving all Council housing in Milton Keynes as well as to building much needed new homes. I am proud to be part of a well-run Labour Council delivering £165 million of investment in Council housing over the next four years. ”