Audit Commission

Calico Housing Limited 'has more strengths than weaknesses' according to a report released today by the independent Audit Commission.

Audit Commission inspectors reached this conclusion following a short-notice inspection of how the Burnley based housing association delivers day-to-day repairs and manages empty properties and lettings. The inspectors found it was easy for tenants to report repairs and the time taken to complete repairs was satisfactory, although some were still being completed too late. Empty homes are repaired and let to a standard agreed with tenants, although the time taken to let properties is long.

Graeme Foster, Audit Commission Lead Housing Inspector, said:
'This is a positive result for Calico, working in a challenging area but still managing to relet and homes to a satisfactory standard. Calico now needs to ensure that more repairs are completed on time, and properties are relet more quickly.

Strengths include:

• A strong corporate approach to customer care, embedded throughout the organisation.
• Improvements in the repairs service over the last six months are leading to a reduction in the time taken to complete response repairs.
• Empty homes are repaired to a satisfactory standard and are managed effectively. A minimum standard is in place and is reviewed with customers annually.
• A clear and comprehensive corporate approach to equality and diversity, with a robust strategic approach developed with customers and staff.
• The approach to the procurement of materials has lead to significant savings and efficiencies.

Weaknesses include:

• Not all complaints are responded to within the timescales promised by Calico.
• Too many repairs are completed late, and the time it takes to complete routine repairs places Calico among the worst performers nationally.
• Although improving, the time taken to relet empty properties is high and performance is still below average when compared to similar organisations nationally.
• Calico cannot show it secures full value for money in its repairs or empty property management services.

Notes to editors

1. Calico Housing Association was formed in March 2000 following a stock transfer from Burnley Borough Council. It owns and manages approximately 4500 homes. Previously known as Burnley and Padiham Community Housing, the association changed its name in 2004.
2. Calico Housing operates only in the Burnley area and is located in the East Lancashire Housing Market Renewal Area (Elevate) and is in the lower half of deprived local authorities in England. The area has experienced significant decline in its manufacturing industry, has low economic activity, local wages are lower than both national and Lancashire averages. Transport links with neighbouring major cities, and therefore centres of employment, are poor.
3. Burnley has a BME population of 8.2% (2001 census) with significant concentrations in two wards, Daneshouse and Queensgate.
4. The Audit Commission introduced short-notice inspections for housing associations to give inspectors a clearer and more realistic view of the services that tenants receive.
5. Associations are given just five days notice of the inspection before their services are rated on a four point scale - from ‘strengths significantly outweigh weaknesses’ down to ‘weaknesses outweigh strengths’.
6. Within two months of the publication of this report, Calico Limited will provide the Audit Commission with a plan showing how it will implement the report’s recommendations. The Commission will then assess and publish Calico’s prospects for improvement.
7. The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Further details about the role of the Audit Commission can be obtained from - http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk

David Rose, Regional Communications Manager (Northern) on 0844 798 7149