£121m plan to modernise council homes promises warmer, greener living for BCP residents
BCP Council is considering a £121 million plan to upgrade council homes across Bournemouth and Poole over the next five years
A £121.8 million programme to upgrade and modernise council homes across Bournemouth and Poole is set to be considered by cabinet this week.
BCP Council is proposing to spend the money over the next five years, focusing on improvements residents say matter most, from essential maintenance to modern facilities and energy efficiency upgrades.
If approved, the council stressed that no council tax funding will be used and instead the scheme will be funded through tenants’ rents which are ringfenced specifically for housing services.
The proposals form part of a wider 30-year strategy outlined in the council’s new asset management plan, which sets out £638 million of long-term investment to maintain and future-proof housing stock.
Council Leader Millie Earl said the programme is ultimately about improving residents’ quality of life.
“At its heart, this plan is about giving people safe, warm and comfortable homes they can feel proud of,” she said.
The council recently achieved a C1 rating, the highest possible under the new housing inspection regime, placing it among only a handful of authorities nationally to reach that standard.
Cllr Earl said the new investment would build on that progress while preparing homes for future requirements.
A central aim of the programme is to bring properties below EPC C rating up to a more energy-efficient standard by 2030.
Planned upgrades include improved insulation and modern heating systems, designed to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.
The investment will also deliver practical improvements frequently requested by tenants, including new kitchens and bathrooms, as well as replacing older windows and doors.
Work will be carried out in phases, with priority given to homes and neighbourhoods most in need of improvement.
Residents are expected to receive advance notice and clear communication before any work begins.