The race is already won

I was surprised to read that Sunderland Housing Group expects to be the first social landlord to meet the decent homes standard (30 July, page 13) because in Lancaster, all our homes have met the standard since 2001.

They were confirmed as up to standard on the back of a 2001 independent stock condition survey. A best value and comprehensive performance assessment inspection have both subsequently verified 100% compliance, with the council receiving an “A” rating for our CPA decent homes diagnostic assessment.

I am also aware of a number of other local authorities whose stock meets the standard.

What surprises me is that Sunderland Housing Group, the Northern Housing Consortium and the ODPM are not aware of these authorities’ achievements.

Given that decent homes data is now an audited best value performance indicator and details are also included within the Business Plan Statistical Appendix that is sent to the ODPM, I can’t understand how it can be claimed that no one had yet hit the target.