TENDERS are set to go out to contractors early in the new year to help Redditch Borough Council clear its backlog of housing repairs.
The borough’s executive committee heard on Tuesday evening, December 7, that the council’s housing department has some 1,500 jobs still waiting to be done due to delays caused by the pandemic.
Councillors heard the department’s repairs and maintenance budget has been underspent by more than £1.3million due largely to access to properties being restricted due to the impact of Covid 19.
There are more than 6,000 council properties in Redditch and it’s a £24million business running them for tenants.
Coun Craig Warhurst (Con, Astwood Bank & Feckenham) whose portfolio covers housing, told members: “We have a backlog of about 1,500 jobs, these are non-emergency ones, as we have done every emergency job.
“We are working hard on clearing that backlog but of course new jobs are continually coming through.
“We have got contractors and tenders will be going out in January / February time to help us fix this.”
He added that the money from the underspend on budget was still available to make sure repairs took place but warned that minor jobs like repairing fencing would take longer to be dealt with.
Councillors also voted to recommend to full council that an additional £465,000 be put into the budget to help push through the replacement of the authority’s antiquated ‘green screen’ housing computer system.
Members heard the one they are currently using is years out of date and is no longer supported externally.
Council Leader Matt Dormer (Con, West) said: “It’s a system that probably predates the BBC computers we had in school.”
