Council homes across South Kesteven are set for a multi-million pound programme of refurbishment and repair to help them all meet legal standards.

The Cabinet of the district council has this afternoon voted to award two contracts in the programme, which follows SKDC being slammed by housing regulators for the state of its homes.

As Nub News recently reported, housing regulators had damned the council in two separate reports for a range of safety failings, but chose not to take action against SKDC as it was already trying to make amends.

At this afternoon's meeting of SKDC's Cabinet, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Coun Robert Reid said rewiring work was urgently needed and was a critical requirement for the council to meet housing standards.

"Sadly 50% of our housing stock require certification. This work will help us get to it. The work will significantly increase safety adherence and compliance," he said.

This afternoon, the Cabinet agreed that UK Gas Services Ltd would undertake property improvements, including refurbishment and repair, on the council properties for £500,000 over a five year term.

A council report said: "The nature of the works is to assist our tenants in providing safe and compliant homes in accordance with the necessary requirements of the Homes Standard."

In addition, the Cabinet meeting this afternoon also approved a contract be awarded to UK Gas Services Ltd in order to undertake electrical and smoke alarm testing including remedial and rewiring works for a

two year period (with a potential 1+1+1 year extension) for a maximum total value of £3.05M. A council report said: "If a property hasn't been rewired in the last 25-30 years, it will need upgrading, whether

partially or fully, to ensure it complies with current safety standards.

"Given the volume of electrical devices used in modern households compared to the 1980s and 90s, the existing wiring might be under strain from higher a level electricity demand, and therefore it is essential modern wiring and appropriate certification has been secured in each case.

"Failure to carry out these works will be detrimental to both our tenants and our property assets and would allow our current non-compliance status in respect of electrical inspections and certification to continue.

"There would also be financial implications due to

increased repair costs."