Audit Commission

Services provided by Newark and Sherwood Homes are 'good', 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 organisation, which manages council homes in the district, a 'good' two-star rating with 'promising' prospects for improvement. This is the same score it received following an earlier inspection in 2005. The report shows that the organisation has a clear commitment to customer service and has been successful in improving homes and carrying out repairs. However, opening hours are limited and estates are not inspected often enough.

Deborah Good, Acting Head of Housing for the Central Region, said:
'It is clear that Newark and Sherwood Homes has a strong commitment to providing the best service to its customers. The programme to improve properties is well managed and tenant satisfaction with this, and other services, is high. Services are efficiently run and staff understand the importance of achieving value for money.'

Strengths include:

• customer satisfaction levels compare well with other landlords
• properties are benefiting from investment and are well looked after
• rents are collected promptly and arrears are low compared with others
• savings have been made as a result of improved methods of procurement
• there is a strong focus on service improvement

Weaknesses include:

• some repairs are not completed within set timescales
• the appearance of estates is not monitored frequently

To help the service improve, inspectors made a number of recommendations. These include:

• reviewing office opening times with customers
• working with contractors to make sure that they understand equality and diversity and that their services meet the needs of the most vulnerable
• increasing the number of repairs staff who are multi-skilled

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Newark and Sherwood Homes is an arms length management organisation (ALMO) set up in 2004 by Newark and Sherwood District Council to manage its stock of 5400 properties.
2. The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
3. 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.
4. 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR AN EMBARGOED COPY OF THE FULL REPORT CONTACT ERIC LUDLOW ON 0844 798 4183