Capital investment
Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS)
One of the key aims of the Welsh Government is to ensure that all the people of Wales, including social housing tenants, have the opportunity to live in good quality homes which are located in safe and secure communities.
To ensure that all homes in Wales are bought up to an acceptable standard, the Welsh Government developed the Welsh Housing Quality Standard setting out its vision that all housing shall be:
- in a good state of repair
- safe and secure
- adequately heated, fuel efficient and well insulated
- contain up to date kitchens and bathrooms
- well managed
- located in attractive and safe environments
- as far as possible suit the specific requirements of the household (e.g. specific disabilities)
The Isle of Anglesey County Council was one of the first authorities to meet WHQS back in 2012. We are satisfied that, wherever practically possible, all properties meet WHQS with the exception of refusals or acceptable fail criteria. WHQS compliance was independently verified by external stock condition specialists during 2013 and 2017.
During 2022-23 the Housing Service commissioned a Full Stock Condition Survey, and the results of this survey were accepted during 2023 and will inform future expenditure plans and decarbonisation targets outlined in revised WHQS guidance issued during October 2023.
Capital Works Programmed for 2024-25
The Council is committed to maintaining and building upon WHQS compliance and will invest approximately £14,000,000 on Council home improvements during 2024 to 2025.
The budget allocates the sum of £2,700,000 to tackle past WHQS refusals, capital elements upgraded at change of tenancy and for the continued replacement of kitchens, bathrooms and rewires as they reach the end of their life cycles. This budget will also be utilised to establish a 5 year contract for the replacement of kitchens which now exceed 15 years of age.
The budget allocates the sum of £500,000 for major disabled adaptations.
During 2024 to 2025 we propose to replace over 600 of our older heating boilers and have allocated £1,600,000 to continue with this programme.
To ensure continued compliance with the Regulatory Fire Reform Order 2005 we have allocated the sum of £400,000 towards upgrading and/or renewal of fire-fighting equipment and fire detection systems to comply with fire risk assessments.
A total of £500,000 is allocated towards environmental improvements in 2024-25. A significant proportion of this budget will be utilised to continue with a 3 year programme involving the demolition of 202 garages which are no longer viable to maintain. This programme will deliver environmental improvements in connection with parking, improving safety and improved visual appearance in general. Our approach to deliver environmental improvements also includes the continued funding of the Environmental and Community Improvement Fund whereby tenants are invited to submit applications for funding towards community improvements of their choice.
Total budget for Traditional Planned Maintenance is in the sum of £6,300,000 and includes commitments on existing schemes. During 2024 to 2025 we propose to undertake extensive external planned maintenance works at:
- Completion of Phase 2 Maes Cynfor, Cemaes Bay
- Completion of works at Morrison Crescent, Holyhead
- Commence works at Tan y Bryn, Valley Phase 2
The budget allocates the sum of £2,000,000 for the installation of Solar PV renewable energy systems. This programme will focus on properties which do not currently reach WHQS current energy performance targets.
How the work is funded
Each year the Housing Service prepares a Business Plan which sets out short and longer term budgets for Housing improvement works. Annual Business Plans are submitted to the Welsh Government for scrutiny and approval.
This year’s Capital Investment of £14,000,000 is funded via a combination of council house rental income and the Major Repairs Allowance (MRA). The MRA is a grant of £2,690,000 awarded by the Welsh Government to support reaching and continued compliance with WHQS.
Welsh housing quality standard: overview
