Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is providing a 'fair' strategic housing service which has 'excellent prospects' for further improvement according to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission.
On a scale from zero to three stars the Audit Commission gave the service (which covers areas like homelessness, private sector housing and supporting new house building) a 'fair' one-star rating. The report found that the Council was performing well in some areas, such as preventing homelessness, but needed to do more in others, particularly around value for money and ensuring the housing needs of everyone are met.
Deborah Good, the Audit Commission's Lead Housing Inspector for the West Midlands said:
'Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has made strong progress since we last visited in 2008, when it was given a ''poor' zero-star rating. It is improving privately-owned properties, helping more people into affordable housing and preventing more people from becoming homeless. The Council is very aware of what it still needs to do, and how it can make the necessary changes happen.'
Strengths include:
- Services that are easily accessible to most people.
- Good information on the local housing market and housing needs.
- A strong focus on homelessness prevention, which is reducing the use of bed and breakfast and helping people to stay in their own homes.
- Initiatives to make private sector housing easier and more affordable to heat.
Weaknesses include:
- Limited progress in making sure services are always provided fairly to everyone or that they provide value for money.
- Significant delays in people receiving adaptations they need, mainly due to delays in their needs being assessed by the County Council.
Recommendations include:
- Making sure the service is accessible and fair to everyone in the borough.
- Improving arrangements to make the best use of existing housing.
- Improving value for money.
Notes to editors
- Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is responsible for statutory strategic housing functions in the borough. These relate to: new housing; homelessness and housing advice; and private sector housing services, including improvement, intervention and disabled facilities grants. The Council transferred the management of its housing stock, following a ballot of tenants, to Aspire Housing (then Newcastle-under-Lyme Housing Association) in 2000.
- The strategic housing service was assessed as 'poor' with 'promising' prospects for improvement in May 2008. All 'poor' assessments lead to a re-inspection, including a check on progress against recommendations.
- The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
- 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.
- 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, please contact Eric Ludlow on 0844 798 4183.