Jobsgopublic News

Tenants receive a good service from Cambridge City Council, a new report from the Audit Commission has ruled.

Following a recent review, the commission gave the council’’s landlord service a two star rating, out of a possible three stars.

Care for customers was at a high level, the inspectors found, while it was noted that residents were fully able to shape how services are improved or delivered.

Lead housing inspector at the Audit Commission Mark Elsworth said: "Cambridge city council has made things better for tenants in a number of areas and customer satisfaction is generally high."

He added that in general, performance is well managed, with the council being able to show improved value for money.

However, it was noted that there were some areas where there was still room for improvement, including in the making of repairs.

In total, Cambridge city council is the landlord of around 8,500 properties.

Those working for a public sector body in Leicestershire are providing a better level of service.

Such is the assertion of the Audit Commission, where Hinckley and Bosworth borough council was given a comprehensive performance assessment (CPA) rating of "excellent".

This score represents an increase from the "fair" the Audit Commission gave the local authority four years ago.

Mary Perry, senior manager for the Audit Commission, said: "When we last inspected Hinckley and Bosworth borough council in 2004 we found that it was generally providing good services but that it needed to improve its management and community leadership."

Since then, she claimed that the local authority has made "strong progress", as it received praise for reducing levels of crime and improving recycling rates.

Meanwhile, those looking for work via a regional recruitment portal could be interested to hear that the council was praised for its investment in staff development.

In November, east Midlands-based Newark and Sherwood Homes was praised by the Audit Commission for maintaining high levels of customer services and for collecting rent promptly.

More regional recruitment portal information.

A housing association operating in the Tower Hamlets borough of London has been praised for the level of service that it provides, it has been revealed.

In an Audit Commission report, Eastend Homes was deemed to be offering a "good" housing management service to its residents.

Consequently, the housing body was given two stars out of a possible three, as it was praised - among other areas - for providing easily accessible services and ensuring that void properties are re-letted quickly.

Furthermore, those working for the housing association were deemed to have "promising prospects" for achieving future improvements, in news that could be of interest to those seeking work in housing via a regional recruitment portal.

Adrian Brown, lead inspector for the Audit Commission in London, said: "With a clear customer focus the organisation has made many improvements for its residents and the estates are all well maintained in the context of preparing for major works and refurbishments."

Last month, the commission claimed that Broxbourne Housing Association has achieved significant improvements in its level of service over the past two years.

More regional recruitment portal information.

The Audit Commission’’s corporate assessment team has given Middlesbrough council its highest possible rating, it has been revealed.

Those working for the north-east public sector body were given four stars - the maximum score - for the services they, along with their network partners, provide.

Among the strengths that the council was deemed to have include making a significant contribution to the town’’s economic development, taking steps to tackle crime and drug abuse and having a good understanding of the needs of local communities.

Philippa Corner, senior manager for the Audit Commission, claimed that the local authority "has strong strategic plans to transform the borough, within a challenging environment of high levels of deprivation".

She added that the town’’s residents are being "well served by their council".

In June, the Commission - in its comprehensive performance assessment - rated Wear Valley district council as performing excellently, an increase from its previous score of fair.

More about network partners.

Those working for a public sector body in the south-east of London have received praise from the Audit Commission for its levels of service.

In a report by the commission’’s corporate assessment inspection team, Southwark council was reported to be improving across a number of areas, including waste management and recycling.

Jan Hunter, senior manager of the Audit Commission, said: "The council has a good understanding of its communities and responds well to their needs and those of the borough as a whole."

She added that through the local authority’’s focus on the key areas of people, services and places it is now "tackling inequality, revitalising the borough through major regeneration projects and improving the physical environment".

As such, the council was deemed to be performing well, in news that could interest those seeking work via a regional recruitment portal.

Furthermore, the commission praised the council for its good community leadership and strong provision of social care services for adults.

Earlier this week, Corby borough council was commended by the Audit Commission for its work with network partners in offering an improved level of service to its residents.

More regional recruitment portal information.