Vauxhall's factory at Ellesmere Port is to be one of four plants in Europe that will build the new Astra.
Message from the CHAIR...
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| Councillor Angela Claydon |
As we approach the end of my first year as Chair of Housing, I have reflected on some of the things that we have achieved and some of the challenges ahead.
Work has started on the New Grosvenor Road Extra Care Sheltered Housing Scheme in Westminster. This will provide 71 flats for older people for sale, shared ownership and rent.
We are looking to increase the amount of affordable housing in the borough. The council requires major new housing developments to provide at least 25% affordable housing, which can be rented, shared ownership, low cost market etc.
We have recently advertised the land at Milton/Wolverham Road as a development opportunity which will require at least 25% of the new housing to be affordable.
In terms of the Council's own housing stock, the rents for 2008/09 have been set as required by central government, and we will be consulting on the proposed spending programme with the Community Housing Panel. One of the schemes that we want to include is the first phase of the refurbishment of our remaining Cornish Unit houses in the Eccleston Avenue area.
Looking ahead, we need to begin a conversation with tenants about the long-term maintenance needs of the housing stock. As we said at the time of the transfer ballot in 2004/05, the council will not be able to continue to maintain the housing stock to the standard required by government in the longer term.
This will be an early challenge for the new authority of Cheshire West and Chester, which will take over all current responsibilities and functions of Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council, Vale Royal Borough Council, Chester City Council and the western half of Cheshire County Council from April 2009.
