Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Homeowners are being advised of a new opportunity to get help towards improvements that will make their home warm, safe and secure. Carmarthenshire County Council is now able to offer repayment loans to homeowners, landlords and tenants who have to make repairs to their home as part of a tenancy agreement. Interest free loans of up to £25,000 are available, on condition that the works will improve the energy efficiency of a home, or make it a safer place to live. Only the council’s registered builders can be used to carry out the work. Cllr Linda Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing, said: “With winter on its way, people may be thinking of making improvements to their home but can’t afford the upfront costs of hiring a builder. These interest free loans are being made available to help people who own, or live in, substandard homes. We’re pleased to be able to offer homeowners priority, and also landlords who join our Social Lettings Agency.” The loans are offered to people at th...

An Ammanford woman has spoken of her joy at having a new wet room installed in her home as part of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard. Ann Jones, of Nantlais, Ammanford, said using the bathroom is now much easier following the work carried out by Carmarthenshire County Council as part of its £203million CHS programme. The 65-year-old grandmother also had a new kitchen installed at her home, as well as having her electrics re-wired. “I’ve had a new wet room shower with nice new flooring,” she said. “It’s much easier to use the new shower, as I was having problems getting in and out of the bath – it’s easier and better now. “I’ve also had a lovely new kitchen put in and re-wiring has been carried out. The property is warmer and it is good psychologically to have a boost in morale, to have a new kitchen and bathroom. “The work carried out is lovely.” The Carmarthenshire Homes Standard programme is now over 70 per cent complete, with many of the work programmes – including windows and d...

Carmarthenshire Council’s Home Improvement Team are hitting the road to help residents cut down on their energy bills. Officers will be on hand at a number of locations across the county in the next few weeks giving advice at a time of year when people take the biggest hit on their household budgets. On Friday, January 24, they will be present at Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital car park, and the following Friday, January 31, they will be visiting the Doctors Surgery at Trimsaran Leisure Centre. In February they will be visiting Prince Philip Hospital car park; Meddygfa Taf in Whitland; Amman Valley Hospital in Glanamman and Llandovery Hospital car park. People will be advised how to get help to improve the efficiency of their homes, as well as energy saving tips, and ways to manage bills and debt. Energy Efficiency Advisor Graham Harries said: “We want people to be more aware of the simple things they can do to cut down on their bills, and also the support available to pay their bills...

Carmarthenshire County Council housing tenants are being asked to take part in an innovative study to assess the health impact of home improvements. The authority is currently updating each of its 9,200 council homes as part of its £202million Carmarthenshire Homes Standard. The majority of homes have already been upgraded, with improvements including new kitchens and bathrooms, cavity wall and loft insulation, double glazed windows and doors and new energy efficient gas boilers. Now, the council wants to understand how the programme may have benefitted tenants’ health. Housing officers have linked up with Cardiff and Swansea universities to undertake what is believed to be the first Health Impact Survey in Wales. Throughout February, short surveys will be delivered to all council homes. Tenants are being encouraged to answer a series of questions designed to assess their health and wellbeing since the improvements. The data will be compared to a similar survey carried out before the p...