Lancaster praise from peers

The council volunteered for a pilot peer review exercise by the Northern Housing Consortium (Housing Today, 7 February). Home Housing Association also took part.

At this week's launch of the peer review service in York, Lancaster elderly service manager Martina Butler outlined some of the inspection team's findings.

The team found staff to be dedicated and achieving a high level of customer satisfaction. Lancaster's formal training record was praised, while inspectors said procedures were sound and examples of good practice were found.

Butler stressed that the review process must not end with inspection.

Lancaster is now implementing service improvements based on the findings.

Consortium policy manager Sue Powell said the peer review service began amid concerns that sheltered housing was the "forgotten arm" of best value.

There were no comprehensive performance indicators for the service, and the exercise aimed to provide a set of touchstones for the regime's principles.

She added: "Overall the initiative has been very successful and proved to be a positive experience. Lessons have been learned and the Northern Housing Consortium is now refining the process."