The housing management service provided by Homes in Sedgemoor is 'fair' and has 'excellent 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 'fair', one-star rating. This was an improvement from a 'poor', zero-star rating following the last inspection in 2007. Services covered by the inspection included repairs, tenancy, estate and income management.
The inspectors found that Homes in Sedgemoor (HiS) is working effectively with its tenants to provide better services and improved homes. HiS is making significant improvement to tenants' homes, maintains estates well and performs well on rent collection. However, more needs to be done to complete repairs on time and relet empty homes quickly.
Kieran Colgan, Audit Commission Lead Housing Inspector, said:
'Since our last inspection Homes in Sedgemoor has transformed itself. Tenants receive a much better service than ever before and, although there is more to do, the organisation has the necessary skills, knowledge and determination to continue to improve.'
Strengths include:
- HiS is delivering significant improvement to tenants' homes.
- It provides adaptations for disabled tenants quickly and carries out annual gas servicing promptly.
- It works well with partner organisations to tackle anti-social behaviour.
- Sheltered housing schemes and estates are well kept.
- HiS has a strong focus on value for money and there are several examples where better value for money is now being delivered.
Weaknesses include:
- Repairs are often not completed on time, and it takes too long to relet empty homes.
- Not all aspects of service delivery are focused on the needs of the customer - answering complaints, for example.
- HiS is not achieving value for money in some areas and is not maximising all sources of income.
- The approach to ensuring good value for money from repairs and improvement work is not sufficiently robust.
To help the service improve, inspectors made a number of recommendations. These include:
- Continue to develop new ways to engage a wider range of residents in the management of their homes, and make sure the residents involved are representative of the population.
- Review with customers the operation of the appointment system and the quality and choice offered as part of improvement works.
- Use better information about residents to tailor services.
Notes to editors
- Homes in Sedgemoor manages around 4,200 homes for rent on behalf of Sedgemoor District Council and is based in Bridgwater. Homes in Sedgemoor employs approximately 75 staff and in 2009/10 it received a sum of £7.2 million to manage the council's homes.
- 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 further information please contact: Callum Collins, Senior Regional Communications Manager (Southern) Tel: 0844 798 8844.