Two Star Service with promising prospects

Friday 26th October 2007

On a scale of zero to three stars, the Audit Commission has awarded Worcester Community Housing (WCH) two stars following its recent inspection of the company's services. This confirms that WCH is delivering a 'good service'. The Commission also judged WCH as having 'promising prospects for improvement' in the future.

The inspection team recognised that WCH's service strengths "are based on strong, clear leadership which is focussed on customer service and on delivering promises made to tenants at the time of transfer."

The inspection report is packed with positive comments. In particular:
• WCH's response to anti-social behaviour is robust, based on a balanced approach of prevention and enforcement and is supported by effective partnership working with other agencies, particularly the Police.
• Partnering for the home improvement programme has been successfully and enthusiastically embraced and has contributed to the delivery of significant improvements to tenants' homes ahead of schedule.
• The repairs service is strong and customer focussed and empty homes are repaired and relet promptly.
• Promising prospects for improvement are based on a solid track record of making improvements to existing services and introducing new ones. Clear and robust plans, positive approach to learning and developing capacity also contribute to future prospects.
• WCH has an effective framework which shapes it work on diversity. It has a clear action plan to address areas of weakness and drive improvements.

Work has already started on the recommendations made in the inspection report and this work is now part of WCH Service Improvement plans for 2007/08.

Chief Executive Stewart Mountfield said, "We are delighted with the judgement achieved in a little over 3 years as a new organisaton. Our achievements are a clear indication of our commitment to excellence in the delivery of our services and of the drive and enthusiasm of our Board and employees. We are on course to establishing a three-star excellent housing service through our commitment to continuous improvement. We are pleased that the inspectors have recognised how far we have come as an organisation in such a short time since transfer from Worcester City Council in 2004."
He added: "At the time of transfer in 2004, we made a host of promises to our customers that committed us to a challenging programme of home improvements. We are on track to deliver these improvements ahead of time and this success has been acknowledged in this inspection."

WCH Chairman Nick Baldwin, said: "Two stars, with promising prospects is a fantastic achievement. I am extremely pleased and proud of the results, as are the rest of our Board. Our customers put their trust in us to deliver what we said back in 2004 and the inspection results show that we have not let them down."

Nick continued: "On behalf of Worcester Community Housing, I would like to thank the many customers, employees, Board members, our partners and stakeholders who contributed towards the Inspection process. We are confident that, using the inspection findings and recommendations it makes, we will continue to improve the already high quality services we provide, as well as delivering new affordable homes to help meet the city's housing need."

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