Why it matters: The funding, drawn from the Housing Revenue Account – which is financed through tenants' rents – will be used to maintain and improve council homes across Ipswich, while also supporting jobs in the local economy.
The details: The council currently works with 50 companies, including some based in Ipswich, and says the supply chain has recently created 160 jobs and 11 apprenticeships.
What they're saying: Councillor Alasdair Ross, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Ipswich Borough Council, said: "This investment will not only provide tenants with improved safe, decent and energy efficient homes, it will create more jobs in Ipswich for trades such as painters, decorators, scaffolders and roofers, which helps to boost the economy we live in.
"This investment provides all companies as well as local suppliers the opportunity to bid for work which makes a difference to our community."
The bottom line: The £17m commitment represents a significant injection into Ipswich's council housing stock, with the council arguing the benefits will be felt by tenants and the wider local economy alike.
