YORK council's excellent record as a social landlord is further bolstered today.

Nearly £10 million has been earmarked for upgrades to hundreds of properties in Tang Hall, Foxwood, Clifton and elsewhere. Many tenants will soon be living in more robust, comfortable and better equipped homes as a result.

This massive outlay follows the near £1 million of improvements to houses in The Groves, completed in October, and a similar sum which is being spent on the Foxwood estate, announced in November.

The council's ambition is as bold as it is praiseworthy. Over the next five years, it plans to spend £67 million on improving tenants' quality of life. As council leader Steve Galloway's says, this adds up to the largest investment of its kind ever attempted in York.

The renovation programme is even more impressive considering the budgetary pressures facing the authority - and the iniquitous system which sees Whitehall rob York of £5 million in council rents to give to other authorities.

At a time when our city seems to be filled with luxury flats packed with the hottest home furnishings, the Tenants' Choice system gives families the chance to personalise their council homes to a high specification.

Sandra and John Caple tell us of their delight at recent home improvements. After paying rent for 29 years, the new kitchen and boiler can also be seen as a fair return for their money.

City of York Council established its reputation as a first-rate landlord by treating tenants as partners. This record-breaking investment should ensure this happy relationship continues.

Updated: 09:37 Wednesday, February 01, 2006