News release 24 May 2010

PR 2348 Embargoed until 00:01hrs on Thursday 27 May 2010

Excellent services at Stockport Homes Stockport Homes provides an 'excellent' service with 'excellent' prospects for improvement, according to a report released today by the independent Audit Commission. On a scale of zero to three stars, Audit Commission inspectors gave the Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) the highest three star, 'excellent', rating. Stockport Homes provides easily accessible services which meet standards agreed with tenants and other customers. Initiatives to prevent homelessness are effective and the housing needs of older people are being met. Tenants and other customers report high satisfaction with most services. Riza Yassin, Audit Commission Lead Housing Inspector, said: ’Stockport Homes continues to deliver one of the best housing services in the country and develops innovative new services to improve the social and financial inclusion of its tenants and wider communities.’ Inspectors found a number of strengths including: • tenants can easily access services in a range of convenient ways • tenants report high levels of satisfaction with most services • tenants' homes and neighbourhoods are well maintained • empty homes are let quickly to people who need them • communities receive help to get training and employment • antisocial behaviour is dealt with effectively • a range of initiatives are preventing homelessness There are a few weaknesses including: • some tenant groups are not representative of the local community • the letting standard for properties is not always clear; and • the involvement of leaseholders is not particularly successful The inspectors made a number of recommendations. These include: • ensuring that tenant and resident groups making decisions on behalf of others are representative of the local community • involving leaseholders more effectively in its activities • confirming standards for reletting empty properties

Copies of the report are available from Stockport Homes or from the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk ENDS Notes to editors 1. Stockport Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation set up in October 2005 to manage and improve over 11,000 homes owned by Stockport Council. The Council pays a management fee to manage homes on its behalf. 2. The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone. 3. Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies. 4. As a force for improvement, we work in partnership to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people. 5. Further details about the role of the Audit Commission can be obtained from -www.audit-commission.gov.uk For more information or for an embargoed copy of the full report, please contact David Rose, regional communications manager, north, at The Audit Commission on 0844 798 7149 or d-rose@audit-commission.gov.uk