The Audit Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is used economically, efficiently and effectively.http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uken-gbCopyright 2009, Audit Commission.webmaster@audit-commission.gov.ukhttp://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/images/logo_internet.gifhttp://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=F8AFD01A-F752-41ba-B8C9-996925A1467A&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRThis is a short notice inspection of income collection and resident involvement. These services have a balance of strengths and weaknesses. It is easy for tenants to pay rent in a wide range of ways and Sadeh Lok helps tenants to get suitable benefit and debt advice. The level of rent arrears is high although it is reducing. Tenant satisfaction is generally high. Sadeh Lok increasingly involves tenants, but not with strategically developing services to meet their priorities. Sadeh Lok is not ensuring that all services give value for money.30 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=223B77E1-8831-456a-B42F-30F67F0927CC&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRAudit Commission inspectors reached this conclusion following a short-notice inspection of how the housing association deals with responsive repairs, repairs to empty homes, and gas servicing. They gave this assessment because repairs performance is inconsistent; it takes too long to relet empty homes; and gas servicing is not always carried out promptly. Overall costs are low, but service performance is unsatisfactory in many areas.30 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=C01C4E86-7A45-4594-B31E-467D124F660B&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRLuminus Group has more strengths than weaknesses showing strong customer care, carrying out repairs quickly to a high standard, and with a number of ways for residents to influence the services they receive. There is scope for Improvement around value for money and some aspects of diversity.30 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=FEF3ABCA-46F9-4362-B6B1-19D7BC1558DE&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRAdactus provides a fair housing service that has promising prospects for improvement. High proportions of homes have been improved to meet the Decent Homes requirement. Responsive repairs meet customers' needs, but adaptations provision, income collection and value for money require improvement.30 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=CA0A50D6-E1EE-4162-A36A-B7AF8FA192AD&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRNorth Devon District Council is providing a good service with promising prospects for improvement. There is a strong focus on customers and the service works effectively with its partners. It has good information to inform its strategic approach and is effectively preventing homelessness, tackling the worst private sector housing and exceeding targets in the delivery of new homes. However, there are some weaknesses in the Council's strategic housing plans, it takes too long to provide grants and assistance and there has been limited impact on empty homes.30 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=96C8F268-7D25-4c1a-ADF3-FDF8B562116B&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRWycombe District Council is delivering a 'fair' strategic housing service, with 'promising' prospects for improvement. Positive aspects of the service included strong performance on delivery of new homes and a wide range of initaitves to tackle homelessness. However, there are some gaps in the approach to customer care and diversity within the service and strategies to improve private sector housing are underdeveloped.30 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/NATIONAL-REPORT.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=1974591B-F22E-46a8-9E18-BC142099995D&fromREPORTSANDDATA=NATIONAL-REPORTThe report reviews the rigour with which boards of NHS trusts and foundation trusts operate the governance structures and processes to assure themselves that their organisation is operating effectively and meeting their strategic objectives. It includes recommendations for government and trusts as well as questions for board members to ask themselves about their current arrangements.29 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/NATIONAL-REPORT.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=D00D554C-D8B3-4ba8-9EBF-9CCE40572F99&fromREPORTSANDDATA=NATIONAL-REPORTThis report provides an overview of councils' progress in developing their financial management arrangements between 2005 and 2008, and discusses the importance of sound financial management in helping to meet the challenges facing local government in the short to medium term.23 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=592FBDBE-B64E-4cce-B490-C5FD79A94F22&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRAldwyck Housing Association's repair services are beginning to show 'more strengths than weaknesses' according to a report released today by the independent Audit Commission. The report shows that most of the basic requirements for an effective service are in place, but Aldwyck has yet to reach the levels achieved by the best performing associations. Repairs are usually completed on the first visit, but are not always carried out promptly. Empty homes are repaired very quickly, but not always to the standards the Association sets out to achieve.23 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=A6837D7B-5078-4e8c-A27E-FA14983B3847&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRThe housing service provided by Clapham Park is fair with uncertain prospects for improvement . The service is easy to access and CPH is improving homes to a high standard. However tenant satisfaction is low, gas servicing is poor and services are not tailored to the needs of vulnerable tenants.23 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=905E9D31-4B85-4d1a-ADF0-45A1086C434B&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRThe housing management services provided by Freebridge Community Housing are fair with promising prospects for improvement. Freebridge Community Housing provides a customer focused service and improvements to services are positively affecting tenants. Tenant satisfaction with services is improving and performance on Tenant Services Authority PIs is improving in most areas.23 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=B41213DD-9039-4558-911C-2D4647B481CB&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRArun District Council is delivering a fair strategic housing service, with promising prospects for improvement. The Council has good quality information to inform housing strategy development and the regulation of conditions in the private rented sector is effective. However, there are some weaknesses in the approach to diversity and some housing improvement plans need further development.23 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=0FFCC23F-BF0E-41d3-9685-378908CDBA69&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRThe inspection team gave the service a 'poor', no-star rating because there are significant weaknesses in the Council's plans and in their approach to managing value for money. Outcomes for the Borough's elderly population and other vulnerable groups are also unsatisfactory.23 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407032215/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/BVIR.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=1B05D7DB-81BD-4fc3-8A39-85C72E77ADFF&fromREPORTSANDDATA=BVIRNorwich City Council provides a 'poor' landlord service that has 'uncertain' prospects for improvement. The Council has not involved tenants in many of the decisions that it makes. The approach to ensuring that all services can be accessed fairly is weak and performance management is not embedded.23 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT