Salford Council has just approved fees for its `arms length' council housing company, Salix Homes. The report shows that the amount spent on managing Salix actually outstrips the amount spent on housing repairs.
The Salix Housing and Regeneration Management fee for the financial year 2010/11 is £13.275m.
The Salix fee for Housing Repairs for the financial year 2010/11 is £11.300m.
The report points out that the management fees represents a reduction of
0.78%, while there is an increase in the repairs budget of £436,000 (4.01%)
"as it will help to prevent more homes becoming non-decent during 2010/11".
Salix Homes currently has 4953 properties projected to be non decent (59.88% of total stock) this year, has recently had an inspection by the Audit Commission and needs to achieve a 2 star rating to draw down £70million of government money for non decent housing.
Kevin Brady, Salford's Assistant Chief Executive, recently stated that the Council's target for reducing non decent housing in 2009/10 "will not be met", while, even if it does get the required 2 star rating, the funding has been deferred until 2011/12, provided it's not cut in the meantime by any future government.
In its latest report, the Audit Commission states… "Too many homes remain in a poor condition. Despite progress, not enough homes meet the national decent homes rating for minimum standards. 1 in 3 homes in Salford are in poor condition. Funding to complete the work needed to raise standards has not yet been secured meaning there are limited prospects of improvement in the short term. Improving the standard of homes is important as it helps more people feel safe and healthy."
Further details from previous Salford Star stories here and here
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