£45.2 Million for Eastbourne Homes Ltd

26 October 2007

Eastbourne Homes Ltd is celebrating this week after securing a massive multi million pound investment for homes in the town.  The finance package means £7.52 million will be spent on Council owned properties by March 2008 and further money being released by Government over the following years.

The Arms Length Management Organisation or ALMO, manage all the housing stock owned by Eastbourne Borough Council and have recently undergone a detailed inspection by the Audit Commission.  Eastbourne Homes needed to achieve a two star rating to qualify for a Government award that will fund the improvement of local homes.

Jo Ellis, Chief Executive at Eastbourne Homes, said:

“We are obviously incredibly excited to join the group of ALMOs that have achieved two star status.  While this is a huge step forward, we must now work hard to achieve the Governments Decent Homes Standard for all the properties we manage in Eastbourne.”

The Audit Commission inspection looked into every service Eastbourne Homes provides and included meetings with customers, interviews with various staff and visits to local communities.  The £45.2 million will underpin a major works programme that will transform Council homes, and alongside a process of internal review and assessment, tenants and leaseholders will benefit from continually improving and high level services.

Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, Councillor David Tutt, was delighted with the Audit Commission decision.  He said:

“This is the result of a long and successful partnership with our tenants, aimed at improving services and delivering vital investment for their homes. The scale of this news should not be underestimated. To win investment of this magnitude is fantastic and something the whole town should celebrate. Eastbourne Homes must be applauded for delivering a service that has achieved such good marks from the inspectors.  I look forward to working with them over the coming years as they drive the regeneration of Council homes across the town.”

The Apollo Group and United House Ltd are the two main constructors who are working in communities to ensure all homes in Eastbourne meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2013. 

Their teams are already familiar faces on local housing estates since starting the pilot programme almost twelve months ago and Colin Dixon, Managing Director of United House, has high hopes for how people will benefit.  He said:

“The decision by the Audit Commission is a green light for the full plan of improvement works, changing the face of housing locally, generating new employment opportunities and making a major difference to the quality of life for many people living in Eastbourne.”

The inspection report highlighted a number of areas for special praise. These included Eastbourne Homes’ approach and track record for gas servicing which was classed as excellent and a digital talking books initiative which benefits blind and partially sighted customers and was identified by the inspectors as an example of best practice.  The inspection team also provided feedback on areas that could further improve.

Jo added:

“I would like to thank all the Eastbourne Homes staff, our Board Directors, the Council and our many other stakeholders, including our tenants and leaseholders, for their huge efforts over the last year. To achieve the two stars we needed the service had to change significantly and that created a number of big challenges.  Everyone has responded brilliantly and all are owed a huge debt of gratitude.”

Eastbourne Homes will soon consult with residents and stakeholders on their longer term housing priorities in order to develop a 5 year business plan for the company. 

To get involved in that process or to find out more about the Decent Homes works programme, please contact Eastbourne Homes on 01323 410000.