London’s largest local authority landlord has downgraded the standard for its decent homes refurbishment programme after uncovering a £314 million black hole in its budget. Southwark Council, which owns or manages more than 53,000 properties, agreed last month to ditch the ‘borough standard’ set by the previous Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition. That would have seen all kitchens, bathrooms and other internal fittings replaced. The Labour administration instead expects to refurbish properties up to a ‘minimum standard plus’. This will see bathrooms but only the worst kitchens replaced. Labour took power in last year’s local elections. The lower refurbishment standard still leaves Southwark having to find £118 million. It hopes to raise this by charging house builders a premium on any extra profit they make when allowed to build schemes without any affordable housing. Read more on Inside Housing.
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