Responding to the Elton review, the Audit Commission has vowed to adopt a fresh approach to housing inspections. The review, independently chaired by Sir Les Elton, was commissioned by the Housing Corporation to consider the regulatory and compliance requirements for housing associations. A broader range of inspections options will be consulted on by the Audit Commission, but changes will not come into effect until April 2007, taking into consideration the period of notice given prior to housing service inspections. The commission also intends to establish an inspection sounding board, which will have representation from across the housing sector. ‘The commission plans to further develop its approach to risk-assessing the performance of housing organisations, and in the context of the Elton review, specifically housing associations,’ said Audit Commission chief executive, Steve Bundred. ‘There should be more focus on which services should be assessed through inspection, as well as determining which bodies should be assessed.’ There is also commitment from the Audit Commission to explore how best to incorporate service users views. It will also consider options such as tenant-led and tenant-triggered inspections.
