New kitchens unveiled in council houses in Basildon

10:00am Tuesday 21st August 2012 in News

Modern homes – site manager Stephen Hall, resident Mary Thompson, Marilyn Lundrigan from Basildon Council, residents Christine and William Finch, with Warren Hanson and Janice Price from Mitie Modern homes – site manager Stephen Hall, resident Mary Thompson, Marilyn Lundrigan from Basildon Council, residents Christine and William Finch, with Warren Hanson and Janice Price from Mitie

THE first of more than 300 new kitchens and bathrooms being installed in council houses across the borough have been unveiled.

As part of the Decent Homes programme – a Government-led initiative which requires a minimum standard in council houses – building firm Mitie was contracted by Basildon Council to modernise kitchens and bathrooms.

So far, 308 properties have been refurbished and officials from Mitie and the council officially unveiled some of the completed work at homes in Shrubbery Close, Basildon, on Friday.

Phil Turner, Basildon Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, said: “I’m delighted our residents are benefiting from these works, having given the new kitchens and bathrooms their vote of approval.

“This is part of a wider £112million investment by Basildon Council to improve and modernise its 11,000-plus housing stock.”

Steve Hall, Mitie’s site manager, said: “I’m really glad the residents are so happy with the result, and everyone at Mitie is looking forward to transforming more homes in Basildon.”

Comments (11)

10:19am Tue 21 Aug 12

Rayleigh_boy says...

A lot of hard working people couldn't afford a new kitchen and yet all these council houses get a nice new one courtesy of the tax payers. And being in Basildon I'm sure that most of these kitchens are going to single mums or to benefit fraudsters. Why is this even news???
A lot of hard working people couldn't afford a new kitchen and yet all these council houses get a nice new one courtesy of the tax payers. And being in Basildon I'm sure that most of these kitchens are going to single mums or to benefit fraudsters. Why is this even news??? Rayleigh_boy

10:35am Tue 21 Aug 12

John the resonator says...

Kind of sets the standard when the first comment is from an ill-informed miseryguts.

Good luck with the rolling improvements to the housing stock.
Kind of sets the standard when the first comment is from an ill-informed miseryguts. Good luck with the rolling improvements to the housing stock. John the resonator

11:47am Tue 21 Aug 12

PJR-121 says...

Rayleigh_boy wrote:
A lot of hard working people couldn't afford a new kitchen and yet all these council houses get a nice new one courtesy of the tax payers. And being in Basildon I'm sure that most of these kitchens are going to single mums or to benefit fraudsters. Why is this even news???
They aren't exactly top range, state of the art kitchens with a central work space, waterfall-esque taps and mood lighting - they'll just be new sinks, cupboards and worktops.

I lived with an ex in her council flat a good few years ago, and they renovated her bathroom, which meant removing the old steel tub, and the pullchain toilet, and replacing it with a standard toilet and bathtub. Trust me, anything but luxury, yet so much better.

Another Echo moment... The first of 300 new kitchens and bathrooms have been unveiled, but the council have already improved 308 houses...

So either the others will be refurbished, or these aren't the first, but rather some of...
[quote][p][bold]Rayleigh_boy[/bold] wrote: A lot of hard working people couldn't afford a new kitchen and yet all these council houses get a nice new one courtesy of the tax payers. And being in Basildon I'm sure that most of these kitchens are going to single mums or to benefit fraudsters. Why is this even news???[/p][/quote]They aren't exactly top range, state of the art kitchens with a central work space, waterfall-esque taps and mood lighting - they'll just be new sinks, cupboards and worktops. I lived with an ex in her council flat a good few years ago, and they renovated her bathroom, which meant removing the old steel tub, and the pullchain toilet, and replacing it with a standard toilet and bathtub. Trust me, anything but luxury, yet so much better. Another Echo moment... The first of 300 new kitchens and bathrooms have been unveiled, but the council have already improved 308 houses... So either the others will be refurbished, or these aren't the first, but rather some of... PJR-121

12:24pm Tue 21 Aug 12

Seasider90 says...

No problem with tenants getting their places refurbished but better it be the one's who are genuine claimants and those not with a criminal record. How about those born and bred in this country first on the list for refurbishments. I object to anyone turning up on our shores and being given a nice council house purely because they have loads of kids. I work my butt off to keep a roof over my head so don't see why others cant actually EARN what they are given.
No problem with tenants getting their places refurbished but better it be the one's who are genuine claimants and those not with a criminal record. How about those born and bred in this country first on the list for refurbishments. I object to anyone turning up on our shores and being given a nice council house purely because they have loads of kids. I work my butt off to keep a roof over my head so don't see why others cant actually EARN what they are given. Seasider90

12:58pm Tue 21 Aug 12

SpaffSpiff84 says...

Somehow i dont think these are marble-floors and granite worktops, have you seen the quality of mitie's work? I could throw the parts into the room and make it look better, give it 6 months and they will be ignoring calls to repair them
Somehow i dont think these are marble-floors and granite worktops, have you seen the quality of mitie's work? I could throw the parts into the room and make it look better, give it 6 months and they will be ignoring calls to repair them SpaffSpiff84

1:06pm Tue 21 Aug 12

alimac69 says...

Seasider 90 - I don't see why those born and bred here, who haven't done a days work in their lives should get anything either. Where you come from is irrelevant, if you work you deserve, if you don't, get to the bottom of the pile.
Seasider 90 - I don't see why those born and bred here, who haven't done a days work in their lives should get anything either. Where you come from is irrelevant, if you work you deserve, if you don't, get to the bottom of the pile. alimac69

1:40pm Tue 21 Aug 12

twiglight says...

What about the people who live in council homes in Wickford, no we don't count. Wickford are always left out we have roads and pavements that need doing, But no not for wickford, and we pay more council tax.
What about the people who live in council homes in Wickford, no we don't count. Wickford are always left out we have roads and pavements that need doing, But no not for wickford, and we pay more council tax. twiglight

6:55am Wed 22 Aug 12

Brunning999 says...

John the resonator wrote:
Kind of sets the standard when the first comment is from an ill-informed miseryguts.

Good luck with the rolling improvements to the housing stock.
The truth often does hurt.
[quote][p][bold]John the resonator[/bold] wrote: Kind of sets the standard when the first comment is from an ill-informed miseryguts. Good luck with the rolling improvements to the housing stock.[/p][/quote]The truth often does hurt. Brunning999

9:37am Wed 22 Aug 12

I-say-you-say says...

twiglight wrote:
What about the people who live in council homes in Wickford, no we don't count. Wickford are always left out we have roads and pavements that need doing, But no not for wickford, and we pay more council tax.
What's that got to do with kitchens and bathrooms?

It's completely different departments, different issues and not even anything to do with Basildon Council!

Roads and pavements are - I think you'll find - quite probably Essex County Council and not Basildon Council!

Basildon Council may not be 100% agreeable (but then who nowadays is?!) but get your facts straight before you start throwing accusations and jumping on the bandwagon!
[quote][p][bold]twiglight[/bold] wrote: What about the people who live in council homes in Wickford, no we don't count. Wickford are always left out we have roads and pavements that need doing, But no not for wickford, and we pay more council tax.[/p][/quote]What's that got to do with kitchens and bathrooms? It's completely different departments, different issues and not even anything to do with Basildon Council! Roads and pavements are - I think you'll find - quite probably Essex County Council and not Basildon Council! Basildon Council may not be 100% agreeable (but then who nowadays is?!) but get your facts straight before you start throwing accusations and jumping on the bandwagon! I-say-you-say

12:20pm Wed 22 Aug 12

Basildon Council Communications says...

twiglight wrote:
What about the people who live in council homes in Wickford, no we don't count. Wickford are always left out we have roads and pavements that need doing, But no not for wickford, and we pay more council tax.
The Council will undertake this kitchen and bathroom work in the Wickford area as part of the Decent Homes programme.

This is planned in for Year 5, we are currently in Year 3 of the programme.

Thanks
[quote][p][bold]twiglight[/bold] wrote: What about the people who live in council homes in Wickford, no we don't count. Wickford are always left out we have roads and pavements that need doing, But no not for wickford, and we pay more council tax.[/p][/quote]The Council will undertake this kitchen and bathroom work in the Wickford area as part of the Decent Homes programme. This is planned in for Year 5, we are currently in Year 3 of the programme. Thanks Basildon Council Communications

1:30pm Wed 22 Aug 12

E-Types.. says...

Basildon Council Communications wrote:
twiglight wrote:
What about the people who live in council homes in Wickford, no we don't count. Wickford are always left out we have roads and pavements that need doing, But no not for wickford, and we pay more council tax.
The Council will undertake this kitchen and bathroom work in the Wickford area as part of the Decent Homes programme.

This is planned in for Year 5, we are currently in Year 3 of the programme.

Thanks
Has the council found a new place to dump asbestos (Dale farm no longer being viable) in case they find any while refurbishing?
[quote][p][bold]Basildon Council Communications[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]twiglight[/bold] wrote: What about the people who live in council homes in Wickford, no we don't count. Wickford are always left out we have roads and pavements that need doing, But no not for wickford, and we pay more council tax.[/p][/quote]The Council will undertake this kitchen and bathroom work in the Wickford area as part of the Decent Homes programme. This is planned in for Year 5, we are currently in Year 3 of the programme. Thanks[/p][/quote]Has the council found a new place to dump asbestos (Dale farm no longer being viable) in case they find any while refurbishing? E-Types..

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree