to Redbridge
Homes
Audit Commission
Inspection
The result
of the Audit Commission inspection has now been made public and
Redbridge Homes has been judged a “fair” service with “promising
prospects for improvement”.
The result
follows an inspection carried out in 2009 and highlights a number
of strengths including involving residents in service monitoring,
general condition of housing stock and quality of
information. The outcome of a one star rating delays
Redbridge Homes receiving funding from the Government’s Decent
Homes initiative.
Christine
Lee, Chair of Redbridge Homes, commented,
“While we
are disappointed with the result of the inspection we accept the
findings and can now concentrate on working on the areas in need of
improvement.
We are,
however, working with the Audit Commission to arrange a
re-inspection as soon as possible. I am confident that we will be
able to achieve the two stars that mean we can get the funding to
carry out the Decent Homes improvements.
I would
like to thank all residents for their help in preparing for the
February inspection and for their continued patience and
understanding while we work to achieve the two stars
rating.”
Cllr Robin
Turbefield, Cabinet member for Housing at Redbridge Council,
said,
“I’m sorry
that tenants will now have to wait longer for their homes to be
improved as a result of this disappointing assessment. As the
new cabinet member for housing, I'd like to reassure tenants that
improving Redbridge Homes is my number one priority. I will be
working closely with Redbridge Homes and council officers in the
Borough to ensure the service to tenants improves and that we
achieve the necessary rating at the next inspection.”
The Audit
Commission found that some of our key strengths
include:
- the condition of tenants’ homes
is comparatively good and planned improvements are being delivered
with high levels of satisfaction;
- an effective caretaking service
and the estates are well maintained; and
- residents are actively engaged
in improving services.
Work has
already started on areas needing improvement, with an action plan
in place. They include:
Upgrading the telephone system to effectively manage
calls;
Ensuring complaints are consistently handled and
monitored;
Improving support for disabled and frail residents;
Increasing quality of repairs and improving the quality of
ready
to
let properties.
Sharon
Standell, Chief Executive of Redbridge Homes, said “We know that
any delay of funding will affect residents but we are working
hard to put improvements in place to ensure the delay is minimised
for residents. We have taken into account all the areas that need
improving and have a comprehensive action plan to ensure all the
improvements are in place for the next inspection. We will continue
our preparations for the Decent Homes programme so that when the
next inspection results are announced we will be in a position to
start work immediately.”
About the
Decent Homes initiative
Redbridge
Homes was formed in April 2007, set up by Redbridge Council.
Redbridge Homes is a not-for-profit housing organisation. Redbridge
Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation
(ALMO) which means that while the council
remains the landlord of its council houses, Redbridge Homes is
responsible for the management of over 7,000 homes in total
(including over 2,300 Leasehold properties) including the
day-to-day management and running of the homes and provides
services for the tenants and leaseholders who live in them. QoL
panel funding is obtained from tenant’s rents therefore the funding
will be spent largely on activities associated with Redbridge Homes
residents.
“Working in partnership with the
community, to provide quality homes and services that meet
residents’ needs”.
The full
Audit Commission Report is available by clicking
here:-
FOR MEDIA
ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:
Robert
Wilson.
Communication and
Marketing Officer.
T: 020 8708
87637; M:0794 9291943 e:
robert.wilson@redbridgehomes.org