The strategic housing service provided by Telford and Wrekin Council is 'fair' with 'promising 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.
The report shows that the Council is showing strong leadership and working well in partnership to achieve its ambitions. This has led to positive results for residents, including help for home owners to improve their homes, putting empty homes back into use and the prevention of homelessness. However, the number of new homes being built is not meeting identified needs. There are gaps in the Council's plans to address housing needs and it needs to improve its approach to regulating housing conditions in the private rented sector.
Deborah Good, Audit Commission Lead Housing Inspector, said:
'The Council has made considerable progress in improving service quality and outcomes for service users. In a few important areas, it still has some way to go before it catches up with the best-performing councils. However, the new arrangements and plans that are being put in place suggest that it is on the right track.'
Strengths include:
- The Council has a good understanding of housing needs and market conditions as well as a clear vision for housing services in the future
- It is working hard to prevent and respond to homelessness
- There is a good range of support to help vulnerable people live in decent homes which meet their needs
- House-building has continued during the recession and the new homes are of high quality
- The Council is successfully returning empty homes back into use
Weaknesses include:
- The Council needs to improve its understanding of housing needs and some aspects of private sector housing
- It needs to do more work around equality and diversity
- It needs to provide more new housing if it is to meet the area's needs
- Its approach to regulating housing conditions in the private rented sector needs to be improved
- Too many people are in temporary accommodation and some households are staying there too long
Recommendations include:
- Improving the range and quality of the Council's strategic plans
- Analysing customer feedback and monitoring performance
- Improving the use of temporary accommodation, new housing in rural areas and the planning application process
- Making sure that all parts of the service represent value for money
- Improving the approach to equality and diversity.
Copies of the report are available from Telford and Wrekin Council or from the Audit Commission website.
Notes to editors
- Telford and Wrekin Council transferred its entire housing stock in March 1999 to the Wrekin Housing Trust. This inspection covered its remaining statutory housing functions including: new housing; homelessness and housing advice; and private sector housing services, including improvement, intervention and disabled facilities grants.
- 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 Eric Ludlow Regional Communications Manager (Central) on 0844 798 4183.