Wrexham Council Celebrates Housing Repairs Progress with Significant Reductions

Wrexham Council has announced significant progress in its housing repairs and upgrades, with the number of outstanding jobs declining sharply. During a recent presentation to the Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee, Councillor David A. Bithell, Lead Member for Housing and Climate Change, highlighted the department’s achievements in improving housing conditions across the county.

The council’s performance report revealed a notable decrease in the repairs backlog, which fell from 3,247 jobs in July 2023 to 2,056 as of this week. Lee Roberts, Head of Property, Investment and Maintenance, confirmed that the backlog has shrunk by more than a third since the summer months. “We’re pushing and pushing and pushing to get the numbers down,” he stated, emphasizing the team’s dedication to achieving these results.

Improvements in Housing Standards

Councillor Bithell commended the housing repairs staff for their hard work, stating, “Some of the successes are reducing our repairs backlog, our sheltered accommodation that we’ve invested in, our Welsh housing quality standards, improving heating systems and compliance.” He noted that the council has also increased investment in its disabled facilities grant.

In addition to reducing the backlog, the council completed over 21,000 repairs last year, which included major upgrades such as new heating systems, windows, and doors. These improvements are part of the housing improvement programme aimed at elevating living standards within the community.

Roberts also introduced a new initiative involving the installation of environmental sensors in certain homes to tackle damp issues. He explained that these sensors will allow for remote monitoring of humidity levels, enabling quicker intervention when problems arise. “We should be able to make the phone call or visit proactively, rather than reactively,” he noted, highlighting the importance of this technology in modern housing management.

Challenges and Community Support

While acknowledging the strides made, Roberts pointed out that meeting the new Welsh Housing Quality Standards remains a challenge. However, he praised the “tremendous effort” from frontline workers and the support they have received from the council. Members of the committee, including Councillors Trevor Bates and Paul Pemberton, also expressed their gratitude for the staff’s commitment to improving housing conditions. Bates described the results as “one heck of a positive” and thanked the team for their contributions.

The council’s ongoing efforts reflect a commitment to enhancing the quality of housing in Wrexham and ensuring that residents have access to safe and comfortable living environments. As the council continues to implement these improvements, community members can expect to see further positive changes in the coming months.