The ?1.3 million project to refurbish 18 Ramsey Town Commissioners’ properties in Brookhill Road and Seamount Road is on schedule to be completed this July. A site inspection of two houses in Seamount Road gave members and officers of Ramsey Town Commissioners an opportunity to view progress on the refurbishment programme that includes re-roofing, external finish in render and dash, rewiring, new bathrooms and open plan kitchen/dining space, replacement windows, and replacement of eaves, fascias, rainwater goods and soil stacks. Built in the 1950s the properties are being upgraded by the Commission in partnership with the Department of Social Care through which funding of public sector housing is supported, a partnership that also funded the installation of full central heating, cavity wall and loft insulation and new external doors in 2009/10. Lead member for housing and property Mary Bruce was joined on site by fellow commissioners Geoff Quayle and Brian Beattie, housing officer Marlene Hendy, and town clerk and chief executive Peter Whiteway together with contracts director Phil Bentham and site manager Emanuel Hirs of contractors NK Joinery Limited. Mrs Bruce said: ‘The upgrading programme gives these houses a new lease of life and provides tenants with greater comfort and convenience, it also brings a welcome boost to the Island’s construction industry, and in this the Commissioners are grateful for the continued support of the Department of Social Care. In addition some tenants have taken the opportunity to move to smaller accommodation more suited to their households’ needs, thereby freeing up a number of these three-bedroom homes for larger families.’ The scheme is being project managed by Ramsey-based Dalrymple Associates in association with quantity surveyors Magee & Co and engineering and planning supervisors Holmes Grace. Ends