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Council leader attacks housing ‘myth’
HOME INSPECTION ... council leader Coun Iain Malcolm, Alan Smith and Coun Bill Brady.
THE leader of Labour-controlled South Tyneside Council today blasted what he called a housing programme “myth” being spread by Independent councillors.
Coun Iain Malcolm was speaking after visiting the Fellgate and Hedworth ward in Jarrow, where it is alleged the Decent Homes programme has not been fully rolled out, because the area is fully controlled by Independents.
But hitting back at the claims, Coun Malcolm promised residents that the major housing programme would be “a priority” in the Jarrow ward.
He stressed that South Tyneside Homes had spent £4.5m in the ward, with 1,082 of the 1,310 council houses in the area already benefiting from improvements.
The borough council leader said: “I visited the area to tackle head-on the myth being pedalled by the Independents that nothing is being done in the ward.
“Well, the Independents may not be doing anything, but South Tyneside Council has certainly delivered, and we will continue to deliver until every single one of those 1,310 homes meets the Government’s Decent Homes programme.”
The council leader has pledged that the single to double glazing window programme will be completed by January 2012, while the new door programme and more than 100 full heating replacements have both been completed.
Works are also being carried out at Calf Close sheltered scheme in the ward.
Last month, Independent councillors Steve Harrison, Linda Hemmer and Geraldine White claimed the Decent Homes programme in the Jarrow ward was “politically motivated”, and that Coun Malcolm’s own ward was enjoying far more housing improvements.
Coun Bill Brady, lead member for housing, who accompanied the council leader on a tour of the Fellgate and Hedworth ward, said: “Nearly 40 per cent of the council stock in the ward has been made decent under the Government’s programme, that’s higher than the borough average.
“Following my visit to the area, I will be meeting with council officers to examine whether there is scope to bring the non-traditional conversion work for the ward – scheduled to start in 2013 – forward.
“We will also be seeing if there is scope to bring forward the internal works programme for the ward, scheduled to start in early 2014.
“If necessary, we will make a further appeal to the Government to release additional monies to allow this to happen.”
Alan Smith, Labour candidate for the ward in next year’s local elections, who also visited the area, said: “I am delighted that the council leader has agreed to re-examine the programme next year.
“It is true that a lot of work has already been completed by South Tyneside Homes, but more needs to be done.
“I am reassured by Coun Malcolm’s positive commitment to the Hedworth and Fellgate ward, and if elected in May, will be working hard to have works brought forward, once finance becomes available.”
terry.kelly@northeast-press.co.uk
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Weather for South Shields
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
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