COUNCIL tenants in Darlington have been promised home improvements as the authority proposed to put rents up in the next year.

The 2% weekly rent increase is proposed along with a £58m spending programme for 2022 to 2023.

It is planned almost half of the money, £25.6m, will be spent on delivering the Darlington Borough Council’s new build council housing programme.

The rest of the cash will be spent on repairs, roofing, maintenance, adaptations, energy efficiency measures, external and structural works and replacements to windows, doors, kitchens and bathrooms.

Councillor Kevin Nicholson, cabinet member for health and housing, said of the proposed rent increase: “We did really consider how that would have impacted people.

“On the face of it, nobody wants to see increases to tenants’ bills.

“But as a council we do have to be responsible in terms of our finances over the next 30 years.

“So I think a 2% rise takes into consideration our responsibilities as councillors of the local authority but also as representatives of people who perhaps might be in difficult circumstances.”

He said more than 70% of people’s rent was covered already by support from the government.

He added: “There is lots of investment that we’ll be making in council properties over the next two years.

“So although there is a small increase of 2%, residents will see some significant improvements in their properties over the next few years, which I’m pleased to say.”

He said they did not want to raise expectations for homes in specific areas because of potential short-notice changes, pressures and costs during Covid.

“But one of the things I can say is a really good result is that by 2023 all of our council properties will have their single-glazed windows replaced, which I think is a really positive move which will really help our tenants improve their energy efficiency.”

Anthony Sandys, assistant director for housing and revenues, said: “We’re proposing for 2022-23 a revenue expenditure of £25.448m, a proposed capital programme of £32.98m and of course a proposal for the rent increase for next year.

“Of course the key decision each year is to balance between the rent setting and service charge levels that are affordable to our tenants, whilst ensuring we have sufficient resources to invest in our housing stock, tackle climate change and maintain services.”

He said councillors could have increased rents by up to 4.1%.

“Taking into account the current economic pressures facing our tenants, and balancing this with the need to deliver our ambitious capital and energy efficiency programmes, an increase of 2% was recommended, subject of course to consultation with our tenants.

“This would give an average of £1.64p each week increase.

“It was also recommended to increase the service charges by an appropriate inflationary amount.

“We are currently out to consultation with our tenants and we will also consult our tenants’ panel on the proposals.

“Obviously we will take into account those views and the views of this committee.”

The report will be considered by the cabinet next month then will go to the full council for approval.