News
23 Dec 043-Star Result Brings £35 million to Poole
The Government's independent public sector watchdog, the Audit Commission, has rated Poole Housing Partnership services as "excellent" in their recent inspection of the new organisation.
The result means that the 5,200 council homes across the Borough will now benefit from a huge £35.4 million injection of Government funding to help bring each one up to the Decent Homes standard by 2010. Poole has taken this a step further and developed an even better standard for their homes; the "Poole Standard".
Poole Housing Partnership 
is planning major programmes of improvement works to Poole's council homes. Improvement schemes will vary, but are likely to include modernised kitchens, improved heating systems, bathrooms and common area improvements.
Chairman of the Poole Housing Partnership Board of Directors , Bill Constance said: "We have already been working hard to make improvements to our services and deliver better homes. The news that we have now secured the extra funding means that all of our residents can benefit from the programmes of work. Everyone on the Board of Directors is extremely pleased with the result and would like to thank all our staff for their hard work and dedication over the past 12 months."
Poole Housing Partnership is one of only two ALMOs in the South-West, and just a handful across the UK, to achieve the highest "three-star" rating, and the news has been welcomed with delight by residents, staff and Councillors alike.
Cllr Bill Wretham, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, Borough of Poole, said: "This is fantastic news for Poole. Not only will this outstanding result mean millions of pounds of investment for the town, but it brings with it the potential for new freedoms for Poole Housing Partnership."
The official assessment made by the Audit Commission is that Poole Housing Partnership provide an 'excellent', three-star service that has promising prospects for improvement. The Audit Commission stated that, "There is strong leadership for the ALMO from the board, senior managers and the council and there is a clear and challenging aim for the delivery of the decent homes standard and excellent services".
Chief Executive of Poole Housing Partnership Joe Logan, said: "This is a fantastic outcome and is something that we have been working hard to achieve over recent years. We have now secured the urgently needed finance to modernise homes in Poole. The result places Poole up where we belong with the very best housing authorities in the country. It is a special achievement that will benefit a great number of families across Poole".
In their report, the Audit Commission stated, "Poole Housing Partnership is delivering excellent services for tenants and leaseholders in Poole. Services are provided in a customer-focused manner, with high levels of tenant and leaseholder satisfaction with the range of services provided." They went on to say that, "estates are maintained to a high standard and Poole Housing Partnership is delivering value for money across the range of services provided".
Sarah Broadfoot, External Communications Officer, Poole Housing Partnership tel 01202 633034
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