The housing management services provided by St Leger Homes are 'excellent' 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 organisation, which manages council housing for Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, an 'excellent' 'three-star' rating.
St Leger Homes provides good quality services and it works well with other agencies and residents in shaping, delivering and improving services.
Yvonne Davies, Audit Commission Head of Housing and Economic Development for the north of England said:
'Services provided by St Leger Homes have improved and are more efficient. Residents are well informed and involved in making sure that good quality services are delivered. Improvement works to residents' homes are well managed and estates are well maintained. The needs of vulnerable people are at the heart of the approach to service delivery and action is taken to make sure that needs are met. However, St Leger Homes and the Council need to work together to agree improvement works to some flats and sheltered accommodation.'
Strengths include:
- it is easy for residents to access services; good quality information is readily available and service standards are clear;
- a good understanding of tenants' that allows St Leger to shape services that meet residents' needs;
- a high standard of work to insulate and improve properties;
- an effective, responsive repairs and gas servicing programme;
- well maintained estates with few signs of litter or graffiti;
- complaints about anti social behaviour are dealt with effectively; and
- a well managed choice-based lettings scheme is in place.
Weaknesses include:
- the long-term future of some properties has yet to be determined and a high number of properties need to be improved; and
- some tenants wait too long for the councils aids and adaptations service.
- To help the service improve, inspectors made several recommendations, including:
- work with the Council to establish the long-term future of some sheltered accommodation schemes and improvement works to flats;
- establish the value for money of services, particularly the responsive repairs service; and
- make sure that all services are fully assessed so that all tenants and leaseholders can easily access them.
Copies of the report are available from St Leger Homes, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council or on the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk
Notes to editors
- 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.
- On 13 August 2010 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced that he plans to disband the Audit Commission. His intention is to have new arrangements in place for auditing England's public bodies by 2012/13.
For more details about the role of the Audit Commission visit www.audit-commission.gov.uk
For more information or for a copy of the full report contact David Rose, Audit Commission Communications Manager for Northern England, on 0844 798 7149 or d-rose@audit-commission.gov.uk