West Dunbartonshire improves performance
The Scottish Housing Regulator has moved West Dunbartonshire Council up from a ‘poor’ to a ‘fair’ rating.
The Scottish local authority’s housing management service was given a ‘D’ grade when inspected in 2003/04 and started to progress on an improvement plan in December 2005.
In the latest inspection, the regulator noted the council had improved both the time it takes to process applications and its management of rent lost from arrears and voids and gave it a ‘C’ grade for housing management.
Lesley Kerr, acting head of inspection at the Scottish Housing Regulator, said: ‘[The council] now has a high level of self-awareness of its strengths and weaknesses.
‘The council is aware that it has weaknesses in its approach to communicating with tenants on anti-social behaviour cases, tenant consultation and complaints.
‘However it is committed to improving the service it provides and we are confident that it is capable of addressing the weaknesses we have identified.’
The local authority had improved its performance in managing suspensions and the management of rent lost due to arrears and empty houses.
Elaine Melrose, director for housing, environmental and economic development at the council, said: ‘Where weaknesses were identified in the report, such as management of rent arrears, there are already plans in place as to how we will improve these areas of the service.’
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