The Pioneers statue celebrates the canal builders who founded Ellesmere Port and was cast in bronze by Liverpool artist Stephen Broadbent.
Housing - Improvements to your home
If you are a secure tenant you have the right to carry out improvements to your home. However, you will need the council's written permission before you start any work.
The council encourages tenants to improve their homes and will not unreasonably refuse permission. However, some conditions might be imposed and all work must be carried out to a standard acceptable to the council.
You must first seek our written permission before carrying out any improvements to your home. These improvements include, fitting new:-
 | electric points |
| room heaters |
| kitchen cupboards |
| loft insulation |
| plumbing for a new washing machine or dish washer |
| erecting new fencing |
You should write to Housing Services giving details of what you propose. If relevant a drawing should be included. It might be that a council officer visits to discuss the work. You will be told within one month whether or not permission is granted and of any conditions that apply. If it is refused you will be given the reason in writing.
Before you start the work it will be your responsibility to obtain any necessary permission or building regulation approval.
You must not remove any of the council's fixtures and fittings without our prior permission.
Your improvements will not affect the valuation of the property if you exercise your Right to Buy.
If you have carried out improvements yourself and then move to another property you must either leave any improvements you have provided or return the property to its original condition. Failure to do this could result in you being re-charged for any reinstatement work.
It is your responsibility to maintain any improvement you have done yourself. The council will not accept responsibility for additional costs in carrying out its repairing obligations if they are due to your own alterations or improvements.
Your right to compensation for improvements
As a secure tenant you may apply for compensation for specified improvements that you have made to your home, provided they were started after April 1994. (Re-decorating is not included). At the time you contact us for permission to carry out any improvement work, please ask us about any compensation entitlement, which may apply to the work you are proposing to carry out.
