At a time when councils are facing increased demands for housing, the Audit Commission has said that Teignbridge is providing a poor housing service, and awarded it grand total of no stars.
The strategic housing services provided by Teignbridge District Council are ‘poor’ and have ‘uncertain prospects for improvement’, according to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission.
On the plus side, the prevention of homelessness, particularly among young people, is good and so is that the service is helping to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
But there’s plenty more on the minus side, like the council isn’t meeting its own targets; that the privately rented homes don’t meet minimum standards; that ‘progress on equality and diversity issues is slow and the housing needs of some sections of the community, such as older and disabled people are not fully met’. And ‘services are not always customer-focused’
Cllr Ray Frost, Teignbridge Executive spokesperson for Housing and HR Services told the PRSD: “We welcome this honest assessment. It reflects our own earlier review and will help us make changes so that we can give a better service to our housing customers.
“The report confirms we are making considerable investment in housing and related services, such as affordable housing, disabled facilities grants and improving the condition of mainly older housing in the private sector. We have also committed a further £150,000 this year to help bring back into use a number of empty homes in Teignbridge.
“Nationally, one in four district councils is currently receiving the same grading, which may be a reflection on the difficulties councils across the country face in meeting expectations. However, we are committed to improvement and have a good track record of change and providing value for money services.
“Providing local housing services is a complex, sensitive challenge. However, using the Audit Commission’s report and guidance, we are confident our team of committed staff will rise to the challenges both we and the Audit Commission have identified.”
Copies of the report are available from the Audit Commission
posted by Cptn
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