24 October 2005
ACHA plans ‘vastly improved’ repairs service following transfer- All-in-one response service to deliver efficient repairs
Delivering a modern, responsive repairs service fit for the 21st century – that’s the intention of Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) should tenants of the Council’s 6,000 houses vote in favour of transfer to ACHA in next month’s ballot.
The need for an improved repairs service has been established following comprehensive consultation with tenants in communities throughout Argyll and Bute over the past 18 months, as well as during the current formal consultation period.
Norman Beaton, Chairman of ACHA, commented, “From the extensive consultation that we have conducted so far, and from feedback the Council has received to its formal consultation, it is clear that the repairs service is one area in particular that gives tenants cause for concern. With the new funding that will be available to ACHA following transfer we will be able to offer a vastly improved service that will offer greater efficiency and much more rapid response times.”
To deliver the improved repairs service ACHA plans, within 18 months, to introduce a network of fully equipped vehicles driven by multi-skilled trades people who can respond quickly to calls from tenants. This all-in-one service will be able to deal with most routine and emergency repairs. When a repair requires more specialist work, the mobile repairs team will make the damaged item safe and arrange for a specialist contractor to attend.
Demonstrating its commitment to an improved service, ACHA has set itself ambitious response and call out targets, with all emergency repairs to be met within eight hours, essential repairs within five days and routine repairs within 20 days, all significantly improving on the Council’s current targets.
To ensure that the new service runs smoothly and to the satisfaction of its tenants, AHCA will be introducing a repairs feedback system, allowing tenants the opportunity to voice their view on the work carried out. If a tenant returns their form to say that they are unhappy with the work done, ACHA will inspect the work and the contractor will be called back and only paid when the job has been done to the satisfaction of both the tenant and ACHA. The repairs team will also be trained to act as a contact point through which tenants can inform ACHA of any problems or issues with the repairs service or with the organisation.
As well as investment in the repairs service, new funding will also enable ACHA to modernise existing homes and, over the coming years, allow the building of new houses to meet the high level of housing need across Argyll and Bute. In the event of transfer the Scottish Executive will clear the Council’s existing housing debt of around £48 million, which means that the Council’s housing debt will not be passed on to ACHA.
The Scottish Executive has also confirmed that it will contribute £41.2million towards ACHA’s commitments as well as an additional regeneration package of between £10-£15million for housing projects in Argyll and Bute linked to stock transfer. This money will be used, with tenants’ rents, to deliver the substantial housing improvements Argyll and Bute requires.
EndsIssued on behalf of Argyll Community Housing Association Limited (ACHA) by TNC. For further media information, please contact Dan Hughes (dan@tnc.uk.com), consultant, on 01698 420420, mobile 07957 467953
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