MORE than 150 Selby council tenants are set to benefit from the next stage of the local authority’s drive to bring their properties up to the Government’s “decent homes” standard.

Multi-million pound work is now about to start in villages including Burn, Camblesforth, Drax, Eggborough, Thorpe Willoughby, Hambleton, Stillingfleet and Cawood.

Selby District Council began its scheme to bring its properties up to the Government’s “decent homes” standard, which states houses should be “warm, weatherproof and have reasonably modern facilities”, in 2007.

The local authority is aiming to have all its properties up to standard by 2010.

The work will involve upgrades to bathrooms and kitchens, with new units, tiles, flooring and work surfaces installed; new central heating systems; new external doors and UPVC windows; external works, including roof repairs; and general repairs.

Coun Gillian Ivey, chairwoman of the council’s social board, said the work to be carried out would vary with each property, depending on the needs of the house.

“Feedback from the residents who’ve already had work carried out has been extremely positive,” she said.

“We have measures in place with the contractors to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum during the upgrade work and, where possible, to fit work around people’s circumstances.

“This is in direct response to comments received by tenants.

“I’d urge people to take advantage of the chance to have this work carried out if they are approached to do so.

“It’s part of our commitment to delivering the best housing service we can within our budget and fits within our long-term healthier communities work.”

So far, work has been carried out on nearly 200 properties in Kellington, Beal, Birkin, Fairburn and Tadcaster.

Kellington tenant Margaret Denton said: “The council and the contractors have done all they can to make the process as easy as possible. “There was obviously some disruption during the work, but I was able to have it done at a time that suited me. I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out.”

Other villages included in the next group of repairs are: Barlow, Carlton, Cliffe, Hemingbrough, Hensall, Hirst Courtney, Long Drax, Newland, Temple Hirst, West Haddlesey, Kelfield, and Wistow.