ALMOST 1,300 council houses are set to be improved due to a £16m underspend.

Repair costs have been less than initially anticipated in 2018/19 and the windfall – which is part of the already agreed ‘Barnsley Homes Standard’ scheme – will enable Berneslai Homes’ stock in Staincross and Mapplewell to receive a raft of improvements.

According to a cabinet report delivered by Coun Tim Cheetham on Wednesday, 1,288 properties will benefit from re-wires, new boilers, kitchens and bathrooms.