1. Presentation to SCC Scrutiny Committee Audit Commission Inspection Monday 19 th January 2009

2. Background 2 stage approach to inspection agreed summer 2008 –Successful inspection of strategic housing –Need to embed significant organisational change –Discussions with the Audit Commission –Marginal impact on Decent Homes spend

3. 1 st inspection – November 2008 Initial feedback 10/11/08 Inspection itself 17/11/08 – 27/11/08 Team of 4 inspectors including the Head of Housing Inspection for the North! Every aspect of the business was inspected / all the KLOE’s tested No informality / a tough and demanding exercise

4. Feedback Provided on the 31 st December! Currently a draft report – to be signed off by Salix Homes / Audit Commission by end of January Contains recommendations for improvement only in relation to both judgements Does not contain strengths / nor a rating

5. Summary (1) 14 “top priority” recommendations including: –ICT –Action Plans –Respect Standard –Customer profiling –Domestic violence –Aids / Adaptations –Equality Standard –Direct Debit –Call Centre –Empty Properties

6. Summary (2) 44 “other recommendations” including: –Review of tenancy agreement –Leaseholders Handbook –Assess condition of shops / garages –Welfare benefit take up –Customer training –Gas servicing procedure –Phone call response times

7. Summary (3) Strengths outweigh weaknesses / or a balance: –Access & Customer Care –Diversity –Capital works –Responsive repairs –Income management –Customer Involvement –Tenancy Management –Neighbourhood Management –Sheltered Housing –VFM –Track record of improvement –Performance management –Capacity to improve Weaknesses outweigh strengths –Empty Properties –Gas Servicing –Aids / Adaptations –Allocations –Leasehold Management

8. Next Steps Agree Improvement Plan and final draft Business Plan 2009 – 12 by February Work with SCC and the Audit Commission to implement the Improvement Plan from now until April Self Assessment August Final Inspection October subject to agreement of Board / SCC / Audit Commission