Plans to invest more than quarter of a billion pounds to improve council homes across Dudley borough, are expected to be given the green light by cabinet.

Next week, Dudley Council’s cabinet will be asked to confirm its commitment to invest £194 million from now up until 2023 and a further £58 million in the new financial year. A report outlines how the money will be invested and includes a £57million cash boost to maintain and upgrade existing council homes.

Nearly £40million will be invested in bringing empty homes back into use and a further £19million will go into tackling fuel poverty, by improving insulation and replacing doors, windows and heating systems. The council also plans to invest £33million in building new council homes and £22million on helping people to live independently, through improvements in sheltered housing, adaptations and telecare services.

£11million will be ploughed into regenerating communities and estates and a further £13million in stock management.

Members will also be asked to approve a further £58million which is earmarked for the day-to-day management of properties and general repairs and maintenance.

At the meeting, cabinet will be asked to set the amount council tenants pay in rent for the year ahead. These are planned to reduce by one per cent in line with government recommendations. Councillor Keiran Casey, cabinet member for housing and residents welfare, said:

"We take our responsibility as a landlord seriously and are committed to continuing to raise standards to improve our council homes and striving to make Dudley a borough, which is a leader in good quality housing.

"This package of investment will allow us to continue to raise standards and also crucially allow us to look at a programme of building more homes for local people. In the meantime our tenants will also benefit from a reduction in their rents.”

The report will go to cabinet on Monday 11th February.