Housing services wins praise from local government watchdog

Wyre Forest District Council's work to tackle fuel poverty and help people access funding to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient has been praised in an independent report.

The work being done by the Council's Strategic Housing Services Team was inspected by the Audit Commission – a local government watchdog.  Its report also praises the Council for its Choice Based Letting Scheme – Home Choice Plus and its ability to help people make informed choices about their housing options. 

The Audit Commission recognised many strengths of the service including how the Council is delivering new affordable housing, its planning policy and development control in support of new housing developments and its work in delivering assistance to home owners and landlords in the private sector. 

The inspection noted the strong and positive working relationship the Housing Services Team has with its partners and in particular with The Community Housing Group.  The Housing Advice Team was praised for its work in preventing homelessness.

Areas for improvement were highlighted in the report too.  These included the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants, engaging with customers and the way it tackles empty homes.   Officers have been working with the Audit Commission on an improvement plan.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Wyre Forest District Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Environmental Services said,

"We are very pleased with the outcome of the inspection.  The Audit Commission has recognised the strong leadership of the service and our capacity to keep making improvements.  The recommendations in the report and the action plan we've devised will help us in this."

Full details of the Audit Commission report and the improvement plan will be reported to the Community and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in January 2011.

Date of issue - 3rd December 2010