Inspection judges Stratford District Council Housing Services Good

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is delighted that an inspection by the independent Audit Commission has found that the Council's strategic housing services are 'good' with 'promising prospects for improvement'.  

The inspection awarded two stars to the service out of a possible maximum of three (on a scale of zero to three) and means that the District Council's strategic housing services are amongst the best in the country.  

The inspection looked at how the Council researches the level of housing need across the District and works with housing associations to develop new affordable housing, as well as its approach to housing advice and homelessness prevention. Other areas inspected included how the Council works with home owners and renters in the private sector to improve homes and to adapt properties for people with disabilities.  

The inspection noted that 'a significant number of new affordable homes have been developed in recent years', with 401 local homes being developed between 2004 to 2006 and that this housing is 'high quality and well integrated' into local areas.   

The work the Council does on preventing homelessness was also seen as a strength, with the report judging the Council's Rent Express Scheme, which helps people obtain a deposit to rent a home, to be 'effective'.  It also recognised that the Council 'very rarely' uses bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless households.  

"Through our consultation process, local people have told us to improve housing services, and deliver more affordable housing across the whole District. This good inspection result shows that the Council has listened; and that we are making good progress in our aim to achieve excellence by 2008," says Cllr Gillian Roache, Portfolio Holder for Revenues and Housing.  

"The report has also made a number of recommendations to improve services further, which the Council will include in its improvement plan for housing.  The inspection has already shown we can deliver improvements within timescales and we must now continue to do so."