Two-star rating for Amber Valley Housing

Amber Valley Housing is providing a ‘good’ service to its tenants according to the association’s first inspection by a government watchdog.

The Audit Commission –which ensures public bodies are making good use of funding – inspected Amber Valley Housing towards the end of 2007.

A team of inspectors spent a week at the Ripley-based housing association, meeting with staff and tenants, visiting homes and estates and looking at how well the company is performing across all areas.

This week it announced that the housing association, which owns and manages around 5,500 homes, has been awarded a ‘good’ two-star rating, with ‘promising prospects’ for future improvement.

Three stars is the maximum rating awarded, and the two stars for Amber Valley Housing places it among the best housing providers in the country.

Paul Parkinson, executive director of Amber Valley Housing, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and is testament to the hard work and commitment of our team and board members.

“Above all, this assessment demonstrates to our tenants that they are getting a good service from us when it comes to managing homes and local neighbourhoods.

“The inspection report highlighted our excellent track record in completing repairs within target times, our home improvement programme to bring all homes up to the Decent Homes Standard, and high levels of customer service.

“I am also pleased that the Audit Commission found that we had promising prospects for further improvement. This is based on what we have achieved over the last five years, and is a clear indication that we will continue to build on these strong foundations.”

In particular the Audit Commission highlighted that:

• There is a strong focus on customer care with services developed in line with customer feedback, and supported by a good range of customer information and service standards.

• Residents are benefiting from major improvements to their homes, with 95 per cent of homes meeting the Decent Homes Standard.

• Repairs are carried out quickly, within agreed timescales and through an effective appointment system.

• Empty homes are let quickly and are in a good state of repair.

• Annual gas servicing is strong with 100 per cent of homes having a valid gas safety certificate, meaning that residents can live safely within their homes.

• Anti-social behaviour is tackled well using a range of measures and Amber Valley Housing organises activities for younger people to deter them from getting involved in anti-social behaviour.

• Estates are well managed, providing a good quality environment for residents.

• There is a strong focus on value for money with savings made invested back into meeting residents’ priorities.

Amber Valley Housing is drawing up an action plan to address the report’s recommendations for further improvement.

This will include improving access to its community buildings for residents with disabilities, and involving residents in high-level decisions through its new Neighbourhood Strategy.

Mr Parkinson said: “Working with residents, we have achieved a lot over the last five years to improve homes and services. In the next five years we will be working even more closely in local neighbourhoods to deliver the improvements that residents want to see.”