West Dunbartonshire Council's Housing Service has been recognised by the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) for its commitment to providing quality homes and services for tenants.

The independent body, which regulates all Scottish Social Housing Providers, carried out an inquiry earlier this year, which revealed the local authority had made good progress in improving its performance and reacted quickly to supporting the Council's new strategic direction to deliver homes that meet the standard set by the SHQS by 2015.

The Council was also praised for having "a good awareness of where it needs to make further improvements."

All areas of the services were inspected during the inquiry, including Asset Management Strategy and Planning, construction of new council homes, investment and home safety, void properties, customer focus and influence, performance management and planning and procurement and value for money.

The report highlighted a number of key strengths including:

• The introduction of the Housing Asset Management Strategy, which has seen an improvement to how the Council manages its homes
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• The Council's approach to strategic asset planning which is "a good approach and clearly identified stock which was likely to present challenges in the future"
• The Council's new build affordable housing plans, which are well developed and are based on a robust assessment of need and demand
• The Council's positive approach to the management of gas safety
• The Council's ability to give tenants choices in specifications within its capital programme works
• The Council's range of positive features in its approach to tenant participation
• The Council's approved approach to performance management in its housing service
• A corporate procurement strategy that encourages competitiveness and market testing
• The Council's rent levels, which compare well to other Councils' and local Housing Associations.

Since the inquiry was carried out in March, the Council has worked to increase the pace to deliver the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, with 62% of its housing stock now meeting the standards set. It has also started a demolition programme which will have a positive impact on our communities, and allocated the first new build council homes in a generation.

Councillor David McBride, Convener of Housing, Environmental and Economic Development, said: "This report reflects the hard work and commitment of our housing staff who are dedicated to providing a first class service for our tenants. We are never complacent and we will continue to work with our residents to ensure we provide to ensure we provide homes and communities that our residents want to live in. I would like to thank all Housing Services employees for their part in helping us achieve this positive report."

Councillor Lawrence O'Neill, Depute Convener of Housing, Environmental and Economic Development, added: "The report is helpful in highlighting the many areas we have improved on and also look at the areas where we need to focus on. It is very encouraging to see the significant progress that has taken place before and since the inquiry. Our aim is to provide quality housing and services which will benefit current and future tenants."

(JP/CD)