Revamp for City's Biggest Housing Repairs Service
Over 50,000 homes across Sheffield could soon be benefiting from a more convenient and efficient repairs service if a new pilot scheme is successful.
Sheffield Homes deals with around 200,000 repairs at council-owned properties every year and it has started to trial a revamped system in parts of North Sheffield.
Changes to the system, which is delivered by Kier Sheffield on behalf of Sheffield Homes, will mean that tenants will no longer have to wait at home for up to half-a-day as appointments for repairs will be made within two-hour time slots.
Appointments will also be available on some weekday evenings and on Saturdays to further increase convenience.
In addition the changes will help ensure that all critical emergency work is carried out within four hours of it being reported.
The more efficient operation should allow cost savings to be pumped back into the repairs and maintenance service to the benefit of tenants.
"The repairs service has generally been working very well but we are also aware of the potential for improvements," said Bev Mullooly, Assistant Director of Operations for Sheffield Homes.
"We devised the new system after listening to tenants' concerns and suggestions and reviewing how we could make the service more efficient and effective."
Changes to the way repairs are prioritised should mean that 100 per cent of genuine emergencies are attended within four hours, as less urgent cases are filtered out and completed in normal working hours.
There will also be alterations to the procedure of dealing with cancelled appointments.
"Our aim is to provide the best possible repairs service for tenants and to do that the system must change," said Ms Mullooly
"We will listen to feedback from tenants during the pilot scheme and make any necessary changes before this is implemented across the city."
The pilot scheme covers tenants served by the Stocksbridge and Chapeltown Area Housing Offices.
A letter explaining the new arrangements will be sent to all tenants affected.
Councillor Chris Weldon, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Regeneration, said: "Alongside an ambitious investment programme, tenants deserve a high quality responsive maintenance service.
"I will be watching the pilot with interest and be keen to get first hand feedback from tenants that can be used to improve services across the city."
Dave Sheridan, Managing Director of Kier Sheffield, said: "We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services to benefit the tenants of Sheffield.
"This is another excellent example of the partnership working together with tenants to explore new effective ways of working."
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Press contact: Ian Waugh on 0114 225 7080 (office) or 07855 723305 (mobile)