RESIDENTS in Chester-le-Street are set to benefit from a range of improvements as part of a £5m spending spree.

District councillors agreed to invest the money in various schemes, among them improvements for council houses.

Included in the plans for council tenants are window, door, kitchen, bathroom and lift replacements and the installation of central heating systems

Coun Isabel Smith, who has responsibility for housing, said: "By agreeing this expenditure, the council is making a real and tangible commitment to improve the lives of all its tenants and residents. Housing has always been a top priority for the council, so we are literally putting our money where our mouths are to ensure that the wider community benefits from this programme."

Tenants and residents with disabilities will also be catered for and more than £500,000 has been earmarked for appropriate adaptations to their homes.

Less visible schemes will include drainage and environmental works.

In the private sector £160,000 will be spent on helping 2,000 households to improve their energy efficiency. Assistance will include physical measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation, as well as packages of advisory and educational material.

Nearly £700,000 is planned to upgrade and streamline the council's technological capabilities, with a view to improving the delivery of services. It is hoped better information management will increase efficiency.

Coun Martin Golland, who has responsibility for information communication technology said: "Putting the customer first is at the heart of technological innovation. Ultimately it is about improving both the access to and the quality of the council's services so that our communities receive them in a way that is both convenient and efficient."

Money is also being spent on improving life for residents while they are out and about.

In Chester-le-Street town centre the car parks will be resurfaced and signs will be upgraded.

Across the district cash will allocated to improve community play areas for youngsters and 14 new bus shelters will be installed.

At Bournmoor the footpath across the river is to be replaced, while the gym at Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre is to be extended.

Plans are also under way to redevelop the Mechanics' Institute as an integrated enterprise and learning centre.