Unity's Inspection result

16 Aug 2007 - The Audit Commission has assessed Unity as providing a fair 1 star * service with promising 2 star ** prospects for improvement.

The ambition to improve the lives and services for Unity tenants officially recognised

The Audit Commission has carried out an independent inspection of Unity and in its report released today has said that we are providing a fair service and believes that we have promising prospects for delivering further improvements. The report identifies a number of key strengths and praises our ambitions for the service supported by our positive leadership and enthusiastic staff.

Ali Akbor, the Chief Executive of the Unity Group based in Chapeltown in Leeds said: ‘I am delighted that the Audit Commission has recognised our hard work which has focussed on improving services for our tenants together with the many positive steps we have taken to tackle anti social behaviour and to develop cohesive and sustainable communities. As an organisation which has a black and minority ethnic focus I believe we have an important role, along with our main partners, to address the complex issues facing increasingly diverse cities such as Leeds. This is a role we will continue to build upon.'

The report also identifies a number of areas for further improvement such as the repairs service, getting to know our tenants better and delivering improved value for money.

Ali Akbor said: ‘We are not complacent and recognise there is room for further improvement. Our track record in recent years shows that we can deliver on those improvements. We have already introduced new contractors to help with our repairs service and have set things in motion to let a number of new contracts this year which will ultimately help to minimise costs and improve the quality of services. Importantly, tenant satisfaction is increasing and further work with our tenants is well developed. We have a great team of staff at Unity and I have every confidence that together we will meet the challenges facing us.'

Ali Akbor continued: ‘It is important that we continue in our efforts to deliver quality services to our own tenants, many of whom live in the most deprived and ethnically diverse communities in Leeds. We must also continue to use our position and our voice to inform and influence our partners to deliver improvements for the benefit of black and minority ethnic communities across the city as a whole. I am pleased that the Audit Commission has confidence in our ability to perform those tasks.'