Audit Commission

The strategic housing service provided by West Lindsey District Council is 'poor' and has 'uncertain prospects for improvement' according to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission.

On a scale from zero to three stars the Audit Commission inspection team gave the service a 'poor' zero-star rating. The Council has been slow to respond to issues raised by its own research, such as meeting the needs of vulnerable people and reducing the high number of empty homes within the district. This limits the Council's ability to meet the housing needs of its residents.

Ann Bennett, Audit Commission Lead Housing Inspector for the East Midlands, said:
'The Council is providing a poor service in this area, but it understands what it must do to improve. It has already started making some changes, but many are too new to have had a noticeable impact on its customers, many of whom are in vulnerable situations. For this reason we have scored the service as having 'uncertain prospects' for improvement.'

Weaknesses include:

• The accessibility and relevance of services has not been tested to see if they meet the needs of customers
• The Council is unable to show that services are being delivered fairly and consistently to all parts of the community
• Poor practice around homelessness includes placing vulnerable people in bed and breakfast accommodation outside the district
• Relationships with organisations who could help the Council to meet its housing objectives are not well developed
• The value for money of the service has not been fully tested or evaluated
• There are gaps in the way performance is monitored and managed

However, there were some strengths which included:

• A wide range of good quality information is available to customers
• The Council is working with other organisations to help target advice and assistance about poor housing conditions
• The number of new affordable homes being built is creditable

Recommendations include:

• Ensuring that robust procedures are in place to safeguard vulnerable people who are homeless
• Understanding, identifying and tackling any inequality in service provision
• Tailoring services to meet the needs of customers

Notes to editors

1. The district of West Lindsey is predominantly rural, with two thirds of the population living in rural settlements and villages. The population is the fastest growing in the county, and most recent research shows the need for an additional 518 homes to meet current housing need.
2. The Council's strategic housing team is responsible for developing strategies for housing and homelessness. Their role focuses on monitoring and improving the provision, supply, adaptation and standard of housing within the district. The Council transferred its housing stock in 1999 to Acis, who also manage housing advice and the waiting list.
3. The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
4. Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies.
5. As a force for improvement, we work in partnership to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people.
6. Further details about the role of the Audit Commission can be obtained from - http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk