Great Yarmouth council sets out plan to improve housing

A survey is currently under way to assess the state of Great Yarmouth Borough Council's social housing, with hopes to visit every property in its portfolio.

The results will then be used to determine the improvements needed and help provide a "vision for the future" to bring homes up to a higher standard.

Head of housing Nicola Turner, at the recently opened Jubilee Court flats in Great Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest)

Mark Burns, interim housing manager, said: "It is a challenging agenda but this ambitious plan will provide a vision for the future.

"We know we can't do everything right now but we will prioritise what is needed."

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Nicola Turner, head of housing assets, added: "The survey will help us know what’s going on in our homes and where we identify any houses that need urgent improvements we will immediately report it to our asset team."

The housing investment plan follows a damning report last year that laid bare the need for improvements in repairs and maintenance.

The council has since agreed to take over the task of maintaining more than 5,000 social houses in the area from Great Yarmouth Norse.

This is expected to happen no later than September 2024.

Great Yarmouth town hall (Image: Newsquest)

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As councillors discussed the report at a scrutiny committee meeting, members called for more action to tackle the issue of damp and mould and suggested that an education programme was needed for tenants.

Bernard Williamson, chair of the committee, highlighted there have been complaints about the quality of service from residents about the slow repair times.

Trevor Wainwright, leader of the Labour opposition group, feared that whilst the report was "ambitious" similar plans had failed to deliver, adding: "The proof is in the pudding".

Further details of the action plan will be revealed in the coming weeks.