Audit Commission

An inspection of the Liverpool based Villages Housing Association found 'more strengths than weaknesses' in the services inspected according to a report released today by the independent Audit Commission.

A short-notice inspection by Audit Commission inspectors revealed a mixed performance in how the Liverpool based housing association delivers day-to-day repairs, gas servicing, income and asset management. The inspectors found that strengths outweighed weaknesses in repairs, gas and income management, but found that services were not always accessible to all local people, and that Villages is not necessarily delivering good value for money.

Riza Yassin, Audit Commission Lead Housing Inspector, said:

'It's pleasing that Villages has improved since we last inspected and that a high proportion of tenants are satisfied with services they receive. But the association now needs to assess whether services are inclusive for all local people, and to fully assess the condition of its housing stock.'

Strengths include:

• It is easy to access services, staff are helpful and tenants satisfaction is rising
• Most repairs are completed on time
• Tenants are able to access advice and assistance which has reduced levels of arrears and increased the amount of rent collected
• Gas servicing is done effectively

Weaknesses include:

• Villages is not sure whether its services meet the diverse needs of all people living in the areas they serve or whether its services offer good value for money
• Information about property conditions is flawed and this means that improvement and investment may not be well prioritised
• Arrears left when tenants move to new accommodation are high and increasing.

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

• Developing a better understanding of value for money and taking action where needed
• Developing better knowledge of customers' needs and tailoring services to meet them
• Improving collection of arrears from former tenants

The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) is the affordable housing regulator in England and works with the Audit Commission on the inspection of housing associations. The TSA commissions the Audit Commission to carry out inspections and the results are used by the TSA in its overall assessment of housing association performance.

Notes to editors

1. Villages Housing Association (VHA) was established in 1983 to take the transfer of the Stockbridge Village estate from Knowsley Borough Council. The stock consists of 1,688 properties and includes a mixture of multi-storey and low-rise flats, traditional houses and bungalows. It also manages a 15 unit local shopping centre.
2. In March 2004 VHA acquired 1,220 homes following the transfer from the Council of the ownership and management of the Fitton Hill Estate in Oldham.
3. The Audit Commission introduced short-notice inspections for housing associations to give inspectors a clearer and more realistic view of the services that tenants receive.
4. Associations are given just five days notice of the inspection before their services are rated on a four point scale - from 'strengths significantly outweigh weaknesses' down to 'weaknesses outweigh strengths'.
5. Within two months of the publication of this report, Villages will provide the Audit Commission with a plan showing how it will implement the report's recommendations. The Commission will then assess and publish Villages prospects for improvement.
6. The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
7. 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.
8. 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 David Rose, Regional Communications Manager North 0844 798 7149