Almost £80m has been proposed to go into council housing improvements in Lewisham this year. 

The proposed 2024/25 budget allocates £59.1m to improving tenants’ homes including new windows, doors, kitchens, balconies, bathrooms, roofs, electrical, and heating works. 

Building safety is included in the budget with a proposed £17.6m going into improvements like fire safety works and cladding removals, while £2.85m is allotted to sustainability in energy efficient improvements. 

Lewisham Council said on their website that for any planned works, the condition of every property will be reviewed before the work begins, and residents will be notified of what works they should expect to receive.  

In general, the council budget faces increasing pressures. In a council meeting held last week, acting Mayor Brenda Dacres said: “We are currently projecting a Council overspend of £19.9m for the current financial year.”  

Councillor Amanda De Ryk, Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategy, added: “We are labouring with significant overspends in key budgets this year.”