News

Poole housing services are ‘well above average’ and are in the top 11% in the South West, according to a government assessment.

Every year the government offices assess the housing services of each Council. The Council’s housing services are placed into one of five areas: ‘well below average’, ‘below average’, ‘average’, ‘above average’ and ‘well above average’. Poole is one of just five Council’s in the South West to receive the ‘well above average’ rating, out of a total of 45 Councils in the region.

Joe Logan, Head of Housing Management Services, Borough of Poole, said: "The government office has recognised the important developments in housing throughout Poole. We aim to provide excellent services and grapple with the problems of providing affordable housing for local people. This is the second year running that we have been moved up the assessment table. It is recognition for all the hard work from the staff and also the many residents who have worked with us to bring about these improvements. My sincere thanks go out to everyone who has been involved."

Poole has been put in the top 15% of all Councils for its Best Value Review of housing maintenance earlier this year and was recently assessed as ‘good’ in the national Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA).

Cllr Jane James, Executive Portfolio Holder for Tackling Disadvantage, said: "To be judged as one of the best housing authorities in the whole country is a great achievement for Poole. We strive to provide excellent services and have a lot of successes under our belt. Although service performance is important in the score, the government also reviews the Council’s housing strategy and business plan for the Council’s housing stock, both of which are seen to be of the highest quality."

The score is used to allocate money to the Council to spend on new homes and improving the Council housing stock. Next year Poole will receive just under £1million to add to its own resources for housing investment.