Calls are being made for the council to replace old storage heating systems in 1,200 council homes following complaints from tenants that they are breaking down on a regular basis.
Digmoor borough councillors Jackie Coyle and Terry Aldridge want the council to provide new heating systems to the affected homes, after they received calls from residents, who said their heating systems had broken down, leaving them in the cold.
Jackie Coyle and Terry Aldridge said: “For some time now we as councillors have been receiving complaints from tenants regarding their old storage heating systems which are breaking down on a regular basis.
"During the sub zero temperatures these complaints have increased, and the old and obsolete systems can't meet the demand of tenants trying to keep their homes warm, which has meant a number of families have spent days without any proper heating at all.
“Even after they have been repaired, tenants face another 24 hour wait until the heat is stored up in them again before they get the benefit of any heat.
"These systems in some cases are over 40 years old, it cannot be cost effective to keep patching them up for them to break down again a few weeks later. This upgrade is needed as a matter of urgency."
Pensioners at Beechwood Court residential home in Digmoor are among the people to have problems with the old storage heaters.
Councillor Terry Aldridge commented: "They need new gas central heating in there. The residents have signed a petition to get the system changed."
A spokeswoman for the borough council responded: "The old storage heating systems still function and do actually meet the Decent Homes Standard criteria and so they are not identified for replacement. We also realise that these heaters are not as efficient as new storage heaters.
"Last year, as part of consultation with our tenants this issue was raised and our Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Val Hopley, listened to their concerns and has stressed the need to direct more resources into energy efficiency initiatives such as double-glazing and upgrading old storage heaters rather than into new Kitchens and re-roofing.
"This matter will be debated in detail at the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee this Thursday (February 4) when the draft Capital programme for housing improvements is presented for 2010/11. There may be scope to include some upgrading works, however, this will be for councillors to decide."
By Henry James |
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