A better repairs service

The Audit Commission has just published its inspection report into the City Council's repairs and maintenance service. Although weaknesses were identified in the report, a number of positive aspects of the service were recognised including the new tenant inspection service, call centre and commitment of staff and managers to change. The Council views the Audit Commissions report on its repairs & maintenance service as an important step in its Recovery & Improvement Programme.

Within four weeks of the Inspection in early April 2004, a Service Improvement Plan had been drafted setting out in detail plans for improving the service over the next two years. Many improvements have been put into place, including gas servicing to nearly 100% of council homes, and more are planned.

The Housing Portfolio Holder Councillor Steven Bayes commented: "The Audit Commission report provides us with a firm base on which to rebuild our repairs service so it its focus on the service we provide to our customers. "There will be challenging issues to address, most importantly on procurement, as we make the necessary improvements. Those difficult issues will have to be faced if we are to maintain the momentum in improvement. Our response to the Inspection shows that we can do it & we need to continue to do so."