A COUNCILLOR has condemned a ‘difficult but necessary’ 4.8 per cent rent increase for council housing tenants.

At yesterday’s full council meeting, Berneslai Homes’ hikes were blasted by Coun Jake Lodge, who represents the Worsbrough ward, which represent an average weekly rent increase from £93.35 to £97.83.

Coun Lodge voted against the move, citing ‘ongoing failures’ to address empty properties and a growing number of complaints from residents about repairs and maintenance.

Speaking after full council, Coun Lodge said that it would be wrong to ask tenants to pay more when basic issues remain unresolved.

“Before asking tenants to shoulder higher rents, Berneslai Homes must demonstrate real progress on the issues residents raise time and again,” he added.

“We continue to see too many properties standing empty for long periods, while families remain in need of good-quality housing.”

Coun Lodge also pointed to the increasing number of complaints from tenants regarding repairs, delays and poor communication.

“Residents are contacting me regularly about repairs that take far too long to complete or are not done properly the first time,” he said.

“These problems are not isolated and the volume of complaints shows there are systemic issues that need fixing.

“People are already under significant financial pressure. It is simply not fair to raise rents while tenants are frustrated by unresolved repairs and see empty homes sitting unused across the borough.

“My priority is standing up for tenants and ensuring they get value for money and a housing service they have trust in.”

The report said the rise will result in an investment of £29m to ensure decency across its stock and a further £600,000 will be spent on an enhanced ‘customer offer’.

Up to £42m will be spent on delivering EPC C stock rating to all stock by 2030, while an additional £43m will be spent to deliver more than 200 new homes into the HRA.

Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said:/ “These investments will help us address immediate needs while preparing for the future.

“The increase to tenants’ rent will help us to fulfil the needs of our tenants and will support our continued investment in council homes.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners and residents to ensure Barnsley remains a great place to live.”

Councillor Hannah Kitching, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats called for a ‘fundamental overhaul’ of council housing in the borough, adding that her party had been raising issues for ‘years and years’.

Leader of Barnsley Council Sir Steve Houghton agreed that the system needs a ‘revamp’ but said that the rent increase was necessary to ensure repairs could be completed.

“No-one wants to see rent rises, particularly when times are difficult but we have a responsibility to achieve a balanced budget and to try and meet the needs of the housing stock,” he added.

“If we did not agree with the proposals here at this meeting, repairs would get worse.

“So not increasing the rent simply means the problems you’ve highlighted will continue to deteriorate.”