Hundreds of council homes in Bury are to finally get long delayed new kitchens, bathrooms and windows as part of a £20m investment over the next year.

In February, the council took back direct management of its 7,700 houses and flats with the transfer of Six Town Housing’s stock.

A backlog of work was identified which built up during the transfer process and the authority has said it now intends to catch up on improvements and maintenance which have been delayed.

A housing finance report to go before the council next week reveals exactly how the £19.8m budgeted for housing improvements will be spent between now and next April.

The report says 565 homes will get replacement windows, doors, pointing and lintels while another 138 will have replacement kitchens, bathrooms or heating fitted. Another 386 homes will get replacement roofing while 326 will see improvements to communal areas.

Carbon reduction measures will be installed at 314 homes costing £3.7m while 46 garages are to be replaced or repaired.

The report to full council, from housing services, said: “A requirement of the Regulator of Social Housing is to have ‘accurate, up to date understanding of the condition of homes that reliably informs their provision of good quality, well maintained and safe homes for tenants’.

“The 2024/25 programme of work has been developed to address this need.

“The focus is on dealing with long standing issues, delayed projects, and backlogs to ensure compliance with regulatory standards .”

The council added that from 2025/26 onwards they would introduce a cyclical painting and repairs programme after a full stock condition survey was completed.

The report added: “The proposed work will improve homes, increase energy efficiency and reduce the need for routine repairs.”