Section: Best Practices & Standards
LA Stars
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
An Audit Commission report in August concluded that the
housing service service provided by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council is 'poor' and has 'uncertain' prospects for improvement. The inspection team gave the service a Zero-star rating.
Inspectors found that the Council does not provide an effective housing service for its tenants. Weaknesses identified include:
- Tenants are not involved in developing and monitoring the service.
- The Council cannot be sure that it is getting the best value for money from the service.
- There are no long-term plans to ensure that the Council's properties remain in good condition.
- Performance management is poor.
However, the report did conclude that the Council is learning from others to help it improve.
Recommendations made include:
- Increasing tenants' involvement in service development and improving the information given to them.
- Developing a strategy to manage and monitor the way the Council repairs and improves its properties.
- Reviewing the approach to antisocial behaviour.
Other Reports
Other local authority inspection reports issued during August included:
- City of Durham Council (Strategic Housing Services): One-star fair service with uncertain prospects for improvement.
- North Herts District Council (Envirocrime Service): Two-star good service with promising prospects for improvement.
- Wolverhampton City Council (Supporting People): One-star fair service with promising prospects for improvement.
RSL Performers
Registered social landlord inspection reports issued by the Audit Commission during August 2008 included:
- Cross Keys Homes (Housing Management Services): One-star fair service with promising prospects for improvement.
- Erimus Housing (Housing Management Services): Two-star good service with promising prospects for improvement.
- Medina Housing Association (Housing Management Services): One-star fair service with uncertain prospects for improvement.
- North Hertfordshire Homes (Housing Management Services): Two-star good service with promising prospects for improvement.
- Ocean Housing (Housing Management Services): One-star fair service with promising prospects for improvement.
- Orbit South Housing Association (Housing Management Services): One-star fair service with promising prospects for improvement.
