Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Councillor Lesley Rideout attended the opening of Katherines House sheltered housing complex today, to celebrate the completion of a programme of extensive refurbishment work.

Harlow Council and Borras Construction Ltd have installed new kitchen units for their kitchens and kitchen flooring - with residents themselves choosing the colours of the units.

Insulation and tiles on the roof were upgraded, and internal guttering replaced with traditional style fascia boards and guttering. Old windows were replaced with new UPVC ones, and timber cladding and gutters and felt on the roof were replaced. The Council's joinery department made level access decking to allow improved access for people with mobility problems.

Lesley says:

"Today we are here to see the results of the refurbishment works and I must say that I am delighted with the improvements. I'm especially pleased that residents could have a say in choosing their own kitchens.

The refurbishment work cost £350,000 and was completed on time and within budget. Harlow Council is recognised nationally for having a very high proportion of its housing stock meeting government standards, and is on track to ensuring that all homes in the district will comply with the Decent Homes Standards by 2010."