What we've achieved in 2010/11

Clackmannanshire council has committed to ensuring that all its properties not only meet Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS), but also the higher Local Clackmannanshire Standard by 2015.

In the last financial year we have invested £3,605,153.00 in improving the condition of the Housing Stock in our Capital Programme.

By 31st of March 2011 we had completed the following upgrades:

Work Completed 2010/2011
Project	Number Complete
Bathrooms	251
Central Heating	91
Kitchen Replacement	282
Structural External Porch Upgrade	5
House Refurbishments Following Fire Damage	2
Disabled House Extensons	1

A considerable amount of improvement work has taken place to ensure that the stock is improving in line with the Standard Delivery Plan and this can be demonstrated by the figures for 2010/11 which show how many properties have passed the Scottish Housing Quality Standard key criteria as below:

Work Completed 2010/2011
SHQS	Number of Properties	Percentage Complaint
Tolerable Standard	39	99.2%
Free From Serious Disrepair	2	99.96%
Energy Efficiency	321	93.5%
Modern Facilities & Services	81	98.4%
Health, Safe & Secure	382	92.3%

Scottish Housing Standard (SHQS) Works

In 2004 the Scottish Government announced that all social landlords would have to meet a new national standard for housing - The Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).

As at April 2011, a total of 4,190 Council properties currently meet the SHQS, that equates to 85% of the total stock.

The Housing Investment & Planning Section are confident that targets set out by the Scottish Government are realistic and will be met. This will mean Housing stock attaining the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015.

Local Clackmannanshire Standard Progress

Clackmannanshire Council has committed itself to going beyond the standards set by the SHQS through setting out a Local Clackmannanshire Standard (LCS):

All properties will have a new secure door fitted or been offered a new door that meets the Local Clackmannanshire Standard.
By the end of 2011/12 All properties will have been offered a New Kitchen. Remaining kitchen upgrades will now be carried out by the councils Property Contracts Unit. Works on the remining houses have started in June 2011.
A total of 1193 new bathrooms have now been fitted with a new term contract currently being tendered to carry out remaining bathroom upgrades through to 2015 in order for the Council to attain the SHQS.

Gas Safety

Whilst preparing for Inspection by Communities Scotland (now the Scottish Housing Regulator) back in 2006, it became apparent that the Housing Service was not meeting its obligations as a landlord in respect of Gas Safety regulations. Safety Checks and servicing of gas heating systems were not taking place within statutory timescales.

Effective monitoring arrangements were put in place and independent quality assurance was carried out. Following visits to a better improving landlord and consulting a good practice guide published by Communities Scotland, an Improvement Plan was implemented. This led to real improvements in service standards and Clackmannanshire Council is now amongst the top performing landlords in relation to gas safety.

Clackmannanshire Council has had 100% Landlords safety record since 2008 of appliances being serviced within the 12 month timeline
National Average is 81% for other councils
Gas Safety is Managed by the Compliance Team within the Housing Investment & Planning Team.

% Properties Gas Safety Check Within 12 months

We will strive to continue our excellent record in the field of gas safety for our tenants. Assistance and cooperation from tenants is appreciated in allowing access for this essential servicing.

Planned Cyclical Maintenance

Cyclical maintenance is a vital part of the Housing Investment & Planning Team consisting of a preventative programme which looks to inspecting and repairing any external defects to council homes. The cyclical maintenance programme is based on a continual five year rolling programme and includes work such as repairs to roofs, windows, chimneys, external woodwork, footpaths, fencing, steps and clothes poles.

In addition this programme also encompasses loft inspections which ensure that water tanks are functioning and that lofts are fully insulated. Common staircases and closes are also maintained and decorated. In total 989 properties were completed in the Planned Cyclical Maintenance programme in 2010/11 in the following areas -

Planned Cyclical Maintenance 2010/11
Town	Steets
Alloa	Sunnyside / Greenfield
Tillicoultry	Hareburn Road, Ramsay Terrace and Jamieson Gardens.
Tullibody	Central & East, Baingle, Newmills and Carsview.
Sauchie	Keilarsbrae, Roundlwood, Deerpark and Mount William.

Breakdown of Completed Works In Cyclical Maintenance

Works in the Cyclical Maintenance programme is mainly carried out by the councils Property Contracts Unit. A total of £602,196 was invested in the Housing Stock via this programme of works.

Breakdown of Completed Works 2010/11
Type of Work Resulting from Cyclical Maintenance Surveys	Number Completed
Builder Work	18
Electrician Work	1
Fencing Repairs	15
Glazier Jobs	108
Joinery Work	961
Labourer Work	116
External Painting Work	84
Plumber Repairs	1121
Plaster Repairs	143
Slater and Roof Repairs	436
Window & Door Servicing	628

Cyclical Maintenance - Periodical Electrical Inspections

Furthermore as part of our Planned Cyclical Maintenance a total of 405 Periodical Electrical Inspections were carried out to houses throughout the county. Safety checks such as these must be carried out at ten year intervals in any continuous tenancy. Although remedial works are carried out, findings from these surveys will influence our future rewiring programme and ensure our properties meet the Healthy, safe and secure category within the SHQS.