Positive inspection results for Strategic Housing Services

The results of the Audit Commission’s review of the Council’s strategic housing services in January published today (17 April 2008). 

The inspection assessed the strategic approach to housing across the Council. The main service areas inspected included Strategic Housing, Enabling, Housing Options and Homelessness, Private Sector Housing, Customer Services and Planning.

The Audit Commission has judged the Council’s Strategic Housing service to be a fair service with promising prospects for improvement.  

Some key highlights from the report include:

• Affordable Housing is a priority for the council

  The Council is very successful at attracting external investment in to the Strategic Housing service.

• Staff demonstrated high levels of motivation and a clear customer focus

The local housing market is set to benefit from an ambitious and strong vision for the district levels of motivation and a clear customer focus

• The Housing Options approach has resulted in a marked reduction in the number of people accepted as homeless

  • There is a coherent and joined up approach to improving private sector housing conditions
  • The Housing Improvement Team has been successful in using a wide range of interventions to improve conditions in the private rented sector.
  • The Council has been very successful in bringing empty homes back in to use.
  • Additional Council resources have been invested into the provision of Disabled Facilities Grants.

You can read the full report at the audit commission website