SHAC hooked up with Oaklee to address flaws

SHAC told the Sentinel it entered an agreement with the Oaklee group in December 2009 - the completion date of the DSD inspection report - in order to improve its service to tenants and will soon become a member of the Oaklee Homes Group of companies.

Last week the Sentinel revealed how the projected £65k refurbishment of the Woodleigh Terrace housing block for students and young professionals in 2007 ended up 20 per cent over cost, did not comply with DSD requirements, and helped earn the housing association responsible an “unacceptable” rating.

Now in a statement to the Sentinel SHAC has outlined the steps to take to address aspects of the report.

“SHAC Housing were inspected in February 2009,” the statement reads. “The inspection report highlighted a number of operational failures relative to DSD compliance standards.”

“In order to improve SHAC’s performance the Board of SHAC entered into a Service Level agreement with Oaklee Homes Group in December 2009 to improve its services to tenants as well as it meeting its statutory obligations,” it continues.

SHAC says it has undergone a major internal restructuring programme since December 2009 and has kept DSD appraised of progress in its Action Plan. “SHAC will also soon become a member of the Oaklee Homes Group of companies and regulatory compliance standards will be monitored and improved by Oaklee ensuring that future compliance standards are met,” the statement reads.

As a result of the close links between the two associations Woodleigh Terrace has been re-assessed and plans for future investment are being considered.

“Oaklee in partnership with SHAC Housing has carried out an assessment of the overall condition of Woodleigh Terrace alongside the other SHAC properties. A condition assessment has identified the longer term investment that will be required at Woodleigh Terrace,” the statement goes on.

“Whilst the comments in the DSD guide relate to previous procedural shortcomings Oaklee will ensure that all future works comply with the DSD Housing Association Guide. The report does reflect that Woodleigh Terrace as a scheme is ‘generally successful,’” it closes.

The DSD report found that: “Rather than request a full condition survey including energy efficiency, the need for any miscellaneous works and compliance with the Decent Home Standard, the Association restricted the works to kitchen replacement and internal redecoration.”

It also found that the invitation to tender did not include all the documentation required by DSD and that the original £65k projects cost was exceeded by a fifth.

“Additional painting and work to fire doors resulted in a 20 per cent increase in costs from the original contract sum while gutter cleaning priced at £922 (and considered an essential requirement) was omitted,” the inspection revealed.

Other failings were that “retention monies were not released at practical completion stage as required under the conditions of contract” and “the kitchen layout in the 4 bed units and warden’s flat does not fully comply with DSD design requirements (no work surface