The housing management services provided by Tower Hamlets Homes are 'good' 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 the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, a 'good', two-star rating. This is because the service is easy to access with good quality information and comprehensive service standards. The approach to vulnerable residents and health and safety is positive. The organisation carries out repairs and relets properties quickly while performance in servicing gas appliances is excellent.
Hugh Boatswain, Audit Commission senior manager, said:
'The services at Tower Hamlets Homes are improving while the high costs are reducing fast. Residents have plenty of opportunities to be involved and this is helping to improve the service. Rent collection rates are high while eviction rates are low. However correspondence is not always replied to promptly, the asset management strategy has limitations, and resident engagement on a strategic level is under developed.'
Strengths include:
- strong customer focus in many areas;
- capital and major works based on reliable information about the housing stock;
- aids and adaptations are carried out quickly; and
- an effective estate inspection process.
Weaknesses include:
- the failure to charge leaseholders the full cost of the service;
- the slow resolution of cases of anti-social behaviour; and
- the high cost of all services in 2009/10.
To help the service improve, inspectors made recommendations that include:
- Improving communications with residents and increasing accountability to residents around strategic issues.
- Reviewing the asset management strategy, improving access to aids and adaptions, taking a more comprehensive approach to addressing under-occupation and increasing the take up of mobility schemes
- Improving the ways residents can monitor and report on estate issues, improving the speed of resolution of anti-social behaviour cases and addressing value for money in a more comprehensive way.
Copies of the report are available from Tower Hamlets Homes, Tower Hamlets Council or on the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk.
Notes to editors
- Tower Hamlets Homes is an arm's length management organisation (ALMO) set up in July 2008. It manages 12,500 social housing tenancies and over 9,000 leasehold properties. Tower Hamlets Homes receives a £35 million management fee for this service in 20010/11 and manages budgets for the Council worth £27.5 million.
- 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 further information please contact: Chloe Morales Oyarce, Regional Communications Manager (London) on 0844 798 2095