Council reveals extensive investment plans
Plans confirmed to spend £96m on capital investment on its homes and communities over the next five years, with an ambitious plan to build 400 new homes in the next ten.
Eight months on from dissolving our Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) and bringing the management and maintenance of council housing "in-house", we have revealed our Asset Management Strategy 2022-27.
The strategy, recently approved by Cabinet, outlines extensive plans to balance the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) by investing in its viable housing stock while divesting of unpopular properties. Its 30-year HRA Business Plan is fully funded and positioned to meet sector challenges and deliver local priorities.
The strategy is part of our overarching Housing Improvement Programme. This involves thoroughly auditing and planning across all aspects of the housing service, including root-and-branch reviews of repairs and maintenance, antisocial behaviour, lettings and allocations, high-rise living, and homelessness provision.
We have acted on resident feedback, using it to inform investment priorities. This includes digital integration for high-rise blocks, with new CCTV and building management systems.
Acknowledging that good living conditions extend beyond the bricks and mortar of a home, the strategy covers not only the buildings themselves, but also the neighbourhoods they're situated in. To this end, there will be significant investment in communal areas, open spaces, garages, trees, and pathways.
It will be a priority to maintain decent homes compliance, and there will be extensive energy efficiency works in keeping with Gateshead's pledge to be a Net Carbon Zero borough by 2030.
The plans include:
- £1.1 billion capital investment in Gateshead council homes over the course of the 30-year plan
- £265 million investment in insulation and new heating technologies, as progress towards net zero carbon
- £9.7m over the next 30 years to digitally transform door entry and CCTV systems in blocks
- Almost £33.7m on estates and environmental improvements over the next 30 years
- £7m of improvements to building safety and security between now and 2030
We have made significant progress with our Building Safety Programme in preparation for new legislation for high rise and complex building safety. We have worked closely with the Regulator for Social Housing to ensure that Gateshead is compliant with all health and safety regulatory requirements. The progress made in health and safety in our properties has resulted in the Regulator agreeing that we can leave the voluntary undertaking it entered, satisfied that robust systems and procedures are in place, offering the assurance required of all social landlords.
Find out more and read the strategy
Cllr John Adams, Gateshead's Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "I'm fully behind these housing investment plans. As a council, we have a duty to listen to our residents and act on what they tell us are their priorities. These plans do just that. It's vital that we work to build communities rather than just housing estates, so I'm particularly keen that we invest in communal spaces that encourage residents to come together."
Cllr Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, said: "Due to Right to Buy, we have lost many of the most desirable family homes from our housing stock. I am therefore delighted that we are in a position to build new Council homes that will serve the needs and aspirations of the people of Gateshead. Ensuring that people have a safe, secure place to call home is fundamental to achieving our aim to make Gateshead a place where everyone can thrive."
Plans confirmed to spend £96m on capital investment on its homes and communities over the next five years, with an ambitious plan to build 400 new homes in the next ten.
Eight months on from dissolving our Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) and bringing the management and maintenance of council housing "in-house", we have revealed our Asset Management Strategy 2022-27.
The strategy, recently approved by Cabinet, outlines extensive plans to balance the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) by investing in its viable housing stock while divesting of unpopular properties. Its 30-year HRA Business Plan is fully funded and positioned to meet sector challenges and deliver local priorities.
The strategy is part of our overarching Housing Improvement Programme. This involves thoroughly auditing and planning across all aspects of the housing service, including root-and-branch reviews of repairs and maintenance, antisocial behaviour, lettings and allocations, high-rise living, and homelessness provision.
We have acted on resident feedback, using it to inform investment priorities. This includes digital integration for high-rise blocks, with new CCTV and building management systems.
Acknowledging that good living conditions extend beyond the bricks and mortar of a home, the strategy covers not only the buildings themselves, but also the neighbourhoods they're situated in. To this end, there will be significant investment in communal areas, open spaces, garages, trees, and pathways.
It will be a priority to maintain decent homes compliance, and there will be extensive energy efficiency works in keeping with Gateshead's pledge to be a Net Carbon Zero borough by 2030.
The plans include:
- £1.1 billion capital investment in Gateshead council homes over the course of the 30-year plan
- £265 million investment in insulation and new heating technologies, as progress towards net zero carbon
- £9.7m over the next 30 years to digitally transform door entry and CCTV systems in blocks
- Almost £33.7m on estates and environmental improvements over the next 30 years
- £7m of improvements to building safety and security between now and 2030
We have made significant progress with our Building Safety Programme in preparation for new legislation for high rise and complex building safety. We have worked closely with the Regulator for Social Housing to ensure that Gateshead is compliant with all health and safety regulatory requirements. The progress made in health and safety in our properties has resulted in the Regulator agreeing that we can leave the voluntary undertaking it entered, satisfied that robust systems and procedures are in place, offering the assurance required of all social landlords.
Find out more and read the strategy
Cllr John Adams, Gateshead's Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "I'm fully behind these housing investment plans. As a council, we have a duty to listen to our residents and act on what they tell us are their priorities. These plans do just that. It's vital that we work to build communities rather than just housing estates, so I'm particularly keen that we invest in communal spaces that encourage residents to come together."
Cllr Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, said: "Due to Right to Buy, we have lost many of the most desirable family homes from our housing stock. I am therefore delighted that we are in a position to build new Council homes that will serve the needs and aspirations of the people of Gateshead. Ensuring that people have a safe, secure place to call home is fundamental to achieving our aim to make Gateshead a place where everyone can thrive."
