Residents thrilled with council transformation of Halling Hill bungalows
News / Fri 15th Sep 2023 at 06:31am
EIGHT council-owned bungalows in Halling Hill have received a major facelift to restore them to their former glory as part of the council’s priority to fix council housing.
The two rows of houses have had their external timber cladding replaced with weatherproof and fire-resistant Cedral composite cladding, which has exceptional durability and low maintenance compared to wood. In addition, guttering and downpipes have also been replaced, and the pitched roofs have also received an overhaul with repairs carried out where necessary.
The works were completed within 17 weeks from start to finish by contractor J. A. Riley. Over £42.8 million will be invested this year into specific capital projects to fix council housing including major upgrades to council flat blocks and council homes. This is on top of the council’s core day-to-day housing budget (Housing Revenue Account) which totals nearly £60 million this year including money to clear the backlog in housing repairs and improve turnaround times of voids and new housing repairs.
Following the works, a satisfaction questionnaire was issued to the council tenants who reported that, overall, they were ‘very satisfied’ with the works carried out. Comments included:
“Very pleased with the work that has been carried out. The guys have been exceptional and kept us informed all the way. Our home has been transformed and gone from dilapidated and neglected to beautiful.”
“The work was carried out with no hassle to residents and the workforce were very polite and helpful.”
“Very impressed with the workmanship, very polite workers – no complaints whatsoever, 5-star workers.”
Councillor David Carter, deputy leader of the council and cabinet portfolio holder for housing, said:
“I am delighted to see the high standard of refurbishment work at the Halling Hill bungalows has been so well received. As part of our priority to fix council housing not only are we getting on with dealing with the repairs backlog, but we are also refurbishing homes and making them safer and warmer places to live. It’s important that not only are we satisfied with the results of all the work that is going on, but also our council tenants as it directly affects the quality of their living standards.
“The bungalows here in Halling Hill really have been transformed and look beautiful now – I am looking forward to sharing much more of all the work we have planned as we fix council housing over the coming months and make a real difference to our residents’ lives.”
Max
2023-09-15 06:53:42
Council houses shouldnt existing, people should take responsibility for they own lifes we we all have to pay for their laziness
Cp
2023-09-15 07:08:22
Are you being serious Max? These are council owned bungalows for elderly people,who have probably worked most of their lives and are of an age where they cannot climb ladders to repair their roofs and guttering etc...Also many people in council homes work fulltime and pay their taxes,so must have got out of the wrong side of the bed.
Tony Crook
2023-09-15 08:17:55
Max what you have said is totally out of order council housing is for those who can’t afford to buy their own house even though they work just as hard as everybody else think you should look at yourself and get a life
Nostradamus
2023-09-15 12:32:03
Max just legislate £120 an hour for everyone regardless afterall who is more valuable the guy who digs out blocked sewers or Prime Minister? Obviously you like many must be riding high on your stocks and shares: basically a system of gambling.
James
2023-09-15 13:52:25
Nostradamus, please explain how share investment is simply 'gambling'. How does explain why banks, pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, etc employ many highly paid and highly skilled analysts (many are graduates in demanding subjects such as physics, mathematics and engineering ) to manage their portfolios? Why go to such trouble when they could get a few punters from the local betting office?
Tracy George
2023-09-15 14:09:17
Max, people who empty your dustbins every week, serve you at the supermarket when you go shopping, answer your call at the GP surgery when you want to make an appointment are all going to some of many who are on lower wage. These people keep the country ticking along, they're just as important as any other job but they don't earn enough to get onto the housing ladder, especially these days. Council houses are a must for society, they are a safety net too but there is just not enough of them since the right to buy. What should change is people's attitudes, who expect a council house and have no intention of working.
Nogin the nog
2023-09-15 16:03:15
Max your a idiot people who work hard deserve some where to live and bring up there family
Clare Harrison
2023-09-15 21:44:07
Let’s just hope Max doesn’t ever get ill or lose his job and have to ask the state for help. I bet Max lives in a lovey detached quiet house in church Langley that mummy and daddy got him started on the housing ladder age 17 and never had to struggle like some people. These bungalows are given to older people in Harlow who have paid into the system and got old or unwell . It’s something this country does, it looks after it’s people. I suppose when you get old max you will have a mansion and Care workers in your home with your silver spoon for the food they feed you. Not everyone is privileged you know and some of us tried hard in life but didn’t get anywhere for whatever reason, but we deserve a bungalow. I hope you never fall on hard times , because it will be you at your old age having to beg the council for a bungalow. We all eat and go to the toilet the same- get over yourself!
Clare Harrison
2023-09-15 21:44:37
Let’s just hope Max doesn’t ever get ill or lose his job and have to ask the state for help. I bet Max lives in a lovey detached quiet house in church Langley that mummy and daddy got him started on the housing ladder age 17 and never had to struggle like some people. These bungalows are given to older people in Harlow who have paid into the system and got old or unwell . It’s something this country does, it looks after it’s people. I suppose when you get old max you will have a mansion and Care workers in your home with your silver spoon for the food they feed you. Not everyone is privileged you know and some of us tried hard in life but didn’t get anywhere for whatever reason, but we deserve a bungalow. I hope you never fall on hard times , because it will be you at your old age having to beg the council for a bungalow. We all eat and go to the toilet the same- get over yourself! Ps. Well done to Harlow council for this!
Nogin the nog
2023-09-15 23:44:25
Max was probably born with silver spoon in his mouth
Angela
2023-09-16 19:26:23
Anyone who lives in rented accommodation, be it council owned or privately rented, have the same rights, and landlords, be they local authorities, housing associations or private landlords have the same responsibilities. These rights include living in a safe home, and responsibilities include keeping properties in a safe and liveable condition for their residents. Just because someone doesn't have the means to buy their home, it doesn't mean they a lazy or workshy. Comments like Max's are not helpful, just the rantings of a bitter man who probably can't get on the housing ladder and can't get suitable accommodation for himself. It's sad really
Nicholas Taylor
2023-09-17 11:21:32
Great for the residents of these 8 homes but what of the thousands of tenants living in council houses who have had no work done to the outside of their homes for literally decades. This subject is one which the Harlow Alliance have raised with councillors for some three years. Neither the previous Labour administration or the current Conservative administration have given this work any priority, only about 200 houses have had work done in each of the last 6 years. It is no wonder that many do not take pride in their homes, how can they when it looks so bad from the outside. This lack of priority is just pushing the problem down the road, the cost to do the work will only increase as time goes by, just as many of the council's leaseholders are now experiencing. Voting Tory or Labour or no-one at all makes no difference. Nicholas Taylor, Leader of Harlow Alliance.
Harlow Knight
2023-09-18 20:14:34
Whilst Max comments might not be accurate or needed there's no need to come back with insults and pettiness in the opposite direction either. Insults about where people live or what they might do for a living zzzz. Grow up.
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