6.  Resources, Monitoring and Outcomes

6.1

Resources available can vary from year to year, and whilst the Disabled Facilities Grant budget has increased by 70% from 2001/02 to 2002/03 to reflect demand, resources for Renovation Grants have declined from £1,000,000 in 1992 to the current position of a spending monitorium in 2001 pending this review. Council has recognised the need to invest in private sector housing, to alleviate the well-documented problems but must be sure that its resources are targeted.

6.2  Current financial committment

6.3  Future resources

An additional £100,000 be committed to provide Housing Renewal assistance for

• Discretionary Disabled Facilities Grant
• Major Works
• Minor Works
• HMO Grants
• Independent financial advice linked to housing support.

£100,000 capital is allocated for Equity release

6.4  Performance Indicators (PI’s)

There is a performance management framework in place for private sector housing renewal activities. Service objectives are clearly linked to individual, service, and corporate, regional and national objectives. Service delivery is measured through key Best Value and local performance indicators and financial control. A service plan is prepared each year and the key Performance Indicators identified. The key PI’s are monitored throughout the year, reported to Members and reviewed on an annual basis. The key Pi’s consist of:

National Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPI)

• Number of empty properties brought back into use
• Number of unfit dwellings made fit as a result of local authority action.

Local PI’s

• Response times to dealing with complaints about housing standards - target 5 days. Emergencies - target 24 hours
• Response times to requests for advice and information - target 5 days
• Response time to requests for housing renewal grant - target 5 days
• Number of HMO’s inspected per annum - 20
• Response to referral for housing assistance - target 2 days
• Approval Times on receipt of duly completed application for housing assistance - target 10 working days
• Percentage improvement in energy efficiency of housing stock per annum - Target 30% reduction in CO² emissions 1996 - 2006
• Number of energy efficiency promotions per annum through Energy Advice Centre - Target 25

Additional targets are included in the Private Sector Housing Service Plan. Performance against targets will be reported to Committee each year and future targets will be determined on the basis of changed priorities and the resources available to both the Council and its partners.

6.5  Monitoring and Review

Increasingly new challenges will be encountered as a result of a stronger dialogue with partner organisations and other stakeholders as part of the development of the Community Plan. Local communities will be encouraged to articulate their aspirations, needs and priorities. Consultation will service users, as part of the Best Value process, will challenge our current policies regarding the provision of assistance and the Council will need to draw together all of these sources of information when reviewing and setting future priorities.

This policy will be reviewed in line with other strategies that impact upon it. Significant revisions to this policy will be published. We may review this policy at any time if there are major changes in legislation or funding levels.