Presentation to SCC Scrutiny Committee

Audit Commission InspectionMonday 19th January 2009

Background

• 2 stage approach to inspection agreed summer 2008– Successful inspection of strategic housing– Need to embed significant organisational

change– Discussions with the Audit Commission– Marginal impact on Decent Homes spend

1st inspection – November 2008

• Initial feedback 10/11/08

• Inspection itself 17/11/08 – 27/11/08

• Team of 4 inspectors including the Head of Housing Inspection for the North!

• Every aspect of the business was inspected / all the KLOE’s tested

• No informality / a tough and demanding exercise

Feedback

• Provided on the 31st December!

• Currently a draft report – to be signed off by Salix Homes / Audit Commission by end of January

• Contains recommendations for improvement only in relation to both judgements

• Does not contain strengths / nor a rating

Summary (1)

• 14 “top priority” recommendations including:– ICT– Action Plans– Respect Standard– Customer profiling– Domestic violence– Aids / Adaptations– Equality Standard– Direct Debit– Call Centre– Empty Properties

Summary (2)

• 44 “other recommendations” including:– Review of tenancy agreement– Leaseholders Handbook– Assess condition of shops / garages– Welfare benefit take up– Customer training– Gas servicing procedure– Phone call response times

Summary (3)

• Strengths outweigh weaknesses / or a balance:– Access & Customer Care– Diversity– Capital works– Responsive repairs– Income management– Customer Involvement– Tenancy Management– Neighbourhood Management– Sheltered Housing– VFM– Track record of improvement– Performance management– Capacity to improve

• Weaknesses outweigh strengths– Empty Properties– Gas Servicing– Aids / Adaptations– Allocations– Leasehold Management

Next Steps

• Agree Improvement Plan and final draft Business Plan 2009 – 12 by February

• Work with SCC and the Audit Commission to implement the Improvement Plan from now until April

• Self Assessment August• Final Inspection October subject to

agreement of Board / SCC / Audit Commission