Press Release
Positive Housing Inspection report published
The Scottish Housing Regulator has published a very positive report today (Tuesday) on Shetland Islands Council’s Housing and Homelessness services. The inspectors found that the Council has made a number of improvements since its last inspection in 2007.
In a 26-page report, inspectors say that the service has a “good awareness of housing need and demand” and has made “significant improvements” in the repairs service. The report also highlights improvements in re-letting empty houses with 64.4% of empty properties now being filled within four weeks, far higher than the Scottish figure of 50.6%.
Councillor Allison Duncan, Vice-Chair of the Council’s Social Services Committee said;
“I’m absolutely delighted that the housing regulator has identified some major improvements in the Council’s performance since 2007. I’m particularly pleased to see comment on our improved understanding of housing need in Shetland and our provision of good supporting strategies. Things have got much better as regards repairs, temporary accommodation, our insights into costs and tackling homelessness. The improvements are very much due to the hard work and dedication of the Housing team and it’s splendid that the regulator has recognised that”.
The report also highlights the dramatic impact the new ‘Job Planning Board’ system has had. Since it was introduced in November last year, 95.8% of repairs are now completed on time, an increase of nearly 20%. That has been reflected in the 2010/11 Tenant Satisfaction Survey which showed that 96% of tenants were satisfied with the repair service. However, the report does recommend that the Council should continue to improve the way it deals with and records pre and post repair inspections.
The inspectors noted the efforts that have been made to manage the mis-match between the types of housing applicants in Shetland and the available housing stock. Initiatives such as converting larger properties into one-bedroom flats, allowing childless couples to apply for two-bedroom properties and providing more information to applicants about other areas to encourage them to think about living there, particularly areas outside of Lerwick, have all had an impact.
Councillor Duncan, “We will be tackling the issues the regulator has pointed up as needing attention especially lets to homeless people, repairs inspections and asset management.”
Full details of the Shetland Islands Council inspection report will be published on the Scottish Housing Regulator website at www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk