Miss Hickey pictured with Jeff Cuthbert AM, Wayne David MP and Cllr Gerald Jones
Caerphilly’s MP and AM paid a visit to tenants in their constituency on Friday (11th April) to see the council’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme in action. Wayne David MP and Jeff Cuthbert AM visited several council tenants who have had WHQS improvements carried out in their homes.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is investing over £200 million in tenants’ homes through its WHQS programme; which will see all 11,000 council owned properties brought up to the standard by 2020.
Mr David and Mr Cuthbert visited Miss Hickey, a council tenant in Trecenydd, who was more than happy to show them her new kitchen and bathroom. Miss Hickey explained how she had been offered a range of colour choices and worked with the council’s Caerphilly Homes team to come up with the design for her new kitchen.
As well as transforming the way tenants’ homes look the council is also using the investment to transform tenants’ lives, by tailoring improvements to meet the needs of individual tenants. During the day a visit was made to one such tenant who’s benefitted from this approach.
Mrs Betty is a tenant in Bedwas whose visual impairment had previously caused her some difficulties when using the kitchen and bathroom in her home. The council’s in-house team incorporated standards set by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) when designing Mrs Betty’s new kitchen and bathroom to make sure they met her specific needs. The installation of new lighting, contrasting colours, walk in shower and grab rails now mean that Mrs Betty is able to use her home easily and safely.
Wayne David MP commented: “”I was enormously impressed with the work that I saw. Houses are not simply being improved; they are being transformed. In partnership with the tenants themselves, the local authority has embarked upon a programme which is ambitious and exciting.”
Jeff Cuthbert AM added: “This project is an excellent example of partnership working. I am very impressed by the care and consideration shown to the tenants and especially those with additional needs.”
Mr David and Mr Cuthbert also met with Cllr Gerald Jones, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, and tenant members of the Caerphilly Homes Task Group during their visit who provided an update on the WHQS programme.
Cllr Gerald Jones said: “The council’s WHQS programme is progressing well and we’re very pleased to have had the opportunity to showcase some of the excellent work being delivered. We’ve seen some great examples, during the visit, of how the WHQS programme is really making a difference to the lives of individual tenants.”
