THOUSANDS of council homes across Caerphilly county borough will be transformed through a multi-million pound link-up with a leading construction services firm.

Caerphilly council will work with VINCI Facilities on a forthcoming stage of an ambitious £200 million programme to modernise council housing stock, launched in 2012 after tenants voted almost two-to-one against a proposed transfer to a social housing landlord.

About 10,000 homes will be modernised in a programme designed to bring them up to the required Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2020.

VINCI Facilities’ teams will refurbish kitchens and bathrooms and provide new wiring and heating in a £15 million deal over a six-year contract.

“The refurbishment of homes in Caerphilly county borough would never succeed if service providers failed to support the wider regeneration strategy,” said VINCI Facilities managing director Tony Raikes.

“We welcome the opportunity to play our part in creating better homes and communities wherever we are working.

“What’s more, this project reflects that our customers recognise our experience in this field.”

Analysis of current housing stock across Caerphilly indicates there are just over 4,000 homes requiring renewal of all major internal components – kitchens, bathrooms, rewiring and heating. More than 9,500 homes need a new kitchen, and around 8,500 need a new bathroom.