Carmarthenshire wins national award for housing
Housing chiefs in Carmarthenshire are celebrating a major national award for their work.
Staff at the county council have secured the industry Oscar for delivering good quality, affordable housing.
They beat off competition from across the country to clinch a prestigious Excellence Wales award.
The £200 million Homes Standard programme, work to provide affordable homes and the health benefits created by housing improvements were flagged up as beacons of excellence for others to follow.
The coveted award recognises the work that is being done in Carmarthenshire to provide first class housing advice, increase the supply of affordable homes, and raise the standard of owner occupied and privately rented homes.
It also rewards the £200 million Homes Standard programme, which is aimed at improving the council’s housing stock and regenerating housing estates.
The council was commended for a series of achievements in the housing sector in the past year.
Officers have worked to drastically reduce the numbers of families being housed in bed and breakfast accommodation.
Housing unfitness and disrepair have also been significantly reduced.
Major progress has been made with the 10 year Homes Standard programme, with new kitchens and bathrooms being installed for thousands of tenants, along with windows and doors, cavity and wall insulation, painting works and garden improvements.
The programme is helping to reduce heating costs for thousands of tenants, improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions in council homes.
There are benefits for tenant’s health because cold conditions can lead to respiratory conditions and are also linked to depression and anxiety.
It has created job opportunities during difficult economic times, and created training placements for over 100 apprentices.
The council’s Head of Housing Services Robin Staines said: “We believe that good quality, affordable housing is the bed rock of our communities.
“It has a profound effect on health and well being, the environment, the economy and society, for young and old alike.
“We take housing seriously and we are delighted to have received this Excellence Wales Award.”
The awards were presented at the Welsh Local Government Association’s Efficiency and Innovation Conference in Llandrindod Wells.
Carmarthenshire was singled out for praise after winning in four categories.
Housing Executive Board Member cllr Hugh Evans said: “This award is a recognition of the commitment, effort and innovation of the housing staff in Carmarthenshire.
“We are committed to delivering excellent services that will improve the health and well being of people in the county.
“I commend everyone who works so diligently to deliver such an excellent service to our communities.”
Carmarthenshire’s Head of Housing Services Robin Staines receives the Excellence Wales award from former Welsh Assembly Government Minister Sue Essex.
Staff at the county council have secured the industry Oscar for delivering good quality, affordable housing.
They beat off competition from across the country to clinch a prestigious Excellence Wales award.
The £200 million Homes Standard programme, work to provide affordable homes and the health benefits created by housing improvements were flagged up as beacons of excellence for others to follow.
The coveted award recognises the work that is being done in Carmarthenshire to provide first class housing advice, increase the supply of affordable homes, and raise the standard of owner occupied and privately rented homes.
It also rewards the £200 million Homes Standard programme, which is aimed at improving the council’s housing stock and regenerating housing estates.
The council was commended for a series of achievements in the housing sector in the past year.
Officers have worked to drastically reduce the numbers of families being housed in bed and breakfast accommodation.
Housing unfitness and disrepair have also been significantly reduced.
Major progress has been made with the 10 year Homes Standard programme, with new kitchens and bathrooms being installed for thousands of tenants, along with windows and doors, cavity and wall insulation, painting works and garden improvements.
The programme is helping to reduce heating costs for thousands of tenants, improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions in council homes.
There are benefits for tenant’s health because cold conditions can lead to respiratory conditions and are also linked to depression and anxiety.
It has created job opportunities during difficult economic times, and created training placements for over 100 apprentices.
The council’s Head of Housing Services Robin Staines said: “We believe that good quality, affordable housing is the bed rock of our communities.
“It has a profound effect on health and well being, the environment, the economy and society, for young and old alike.
“We take housing seriously and we are delighted to have received this Excellence Wales Award.”
The awards were presented at the Welsh Local Government Association’s Efficiency and Innovation Conference in Llandrindod Wells.
Carmarthenshire was singled out for praise after winning in four categories.
Housing Executive Board Member cllr Hugh Evans said: “This award is a recognition of the commitment, effort and innovation of the housing staff in Carmarthenshire.
“We are committed to delivering excellent services that will improve the health and well being of people in the county.
“I commend everyone who works so diligently to deliver such an excellent service to our communities.”
Carmarthenshire’s Head of Housing Services Robin Staines receives the Excellence Wales award from former Welsh Assembly Government Minister Sue Essex.
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