Housing management services provided by Merseyside-based Venture Housing Association are 'fair' but have 'uncertain' prospects for improvement, according to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission.
The Audit Commission inspection team gave the service one star, on a scale of zero to three stars, because it is easy for tenants to access services, nearly all properties have been improved to the Decent Homes standard and neighbourhood working addresses tenants' key concerns. However, the repairs service is weak, as is the approach to securing value for money.
Riza Yassin, Audit Commission Lead Housing Inspector in the north, said:
'Venture has acted positively in responding to our previous inspection, but inspectors also identified several areas for improvement which need prompt attention. Key decisions need to be taken about the long term direction of the housing association.'
Inspectors found:
- tenants can access services in a range of convenient ways;
- services to help diverse communities are strong;
- the condition of most homes meets the Decent Homes standard and resourced plans are in place to improve the remainder;
- tenants' satisfaction with services is mixed;
- the responsive repairs service does not reflect modern service standards; and
- more needs to be done to ensure services provide good value for money.
To help the service improve, inspectors made a number of recommendations, including
- working with tenants to evaluate and improve both costs and quality;
- ensuring services are more focused on what customers need and want; and
- adding rigour to performance management by measuring and reporting on outcomes for customers.
An Audit Commission inspection report into housing management services provided by Venture Housing Association, published in November 2008, gave the service a zero star, 'poor' rating.
Copies of the report are available from Venture Housing Association or on the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk
Notes to editors
- Venture Housing Association is responsible for 1,300 properties located in two local authorities: Liverpool (65 per cent of the stock) and the Wirral (35 per cent of the stock). The majority of neighbourhoods where stock is located fall within the worst 10 per cent of areas under the multiple deprivation indices. Eighty per cent of properties fall within Housing Market Renewal Initiative areas.
- The previous inspection of Venture in November 2008 judged the service as 'poor' with 'promising' prospects for improvement.
- 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 a copy of the full report or for further information please contact: David Rose, Regional Communications Manager - Northern on 0844 798 6654 or d-rose@audit-commission.gov.uk