Providing good quality housing is a top priority for Steve Fritchley and Sandra Peake as they recently went to visit some of the council house residents in Shirebrook.
They were keen to hear about their experiences and views on living in council accommodation and why they chose to live in council properties.
Shirley, who has lived in her current home for 12-years but has been a council tenant for 55 years said being a council tenant makes her feel secure and that she and her husband lived in a ‘lovely quiet area’ where ‘everyone looks out for each other’.
The Labour-controlled Bolsover District Council has invested heavily in housing, especially independent living schemes like the one at Ashbourne Court.
Over £2.3 million is being spent on its refurbishment and Sue who has recently moved into her newly refurbished flat said she loved her new home and is really happy with it.
The pair have also been at the forefront of the decisions to build more council housing over the next four years, with a total investing nearing £55 million for up to 400 more council properties. This will help provide the most suitable accommodation in areas that need bungalows or family homes so local people have the opportunity to stay in their local town/village.
Sandra said, “It was great to go and meet some of our council property residents and get their feedback on what we are doing. Council housing is a top priority for us, that’s why we need to keep investing in it and providing good quality homes for the future.”
They also had cause to visit other tenants in the town who had raised concerns about their bathrooms and he has vowed to look at implementing a programme of installing wet rooms in older tenants’ properties providing them with easier access to bathing facilities
Steve said “If we can’t look after our older generation, then it is time to give up, that’s why we are spending money on improving Ashbourne Court and the other schemes across Bolsover District and upgrading our accommodation to make it safer and better for people to live in.”