BEST VALUE AT ITS BEST!

In 2006 Axiom, in partnership with residents and other parties, conducted Best Value Service Reviews on its Audit Services, Payroll Facilities, Staff Suggestion Scheme and Tenant Involvement activities.

The challenging performance framework that encompasses Best Value enabled us to make significant financial savings as well as improve the services we provide to our staff and tenants.

Through tendering our external audit services, we have been able to re-negotiate our charges and as a result will save £3,300 on our audit fees in 2007/2008. A similar tendering process for our payroll facilities resulted in savings of £2,200 in 2006 and £3,500 a year thereafter. Additional savings in staff time will also be made as we have been able to automate the process further.

The staff suggestion scheme was revamped and relaunched (known as BrightER Ideas) with suggestions being submitted and stored electronically. In the nine months following the re-launch, the scheme received 133 suggestions; an eight fold increase on the previous year. 37 members of staff submitted ideas and 26 suggestions have been accepted and actioned.

As a result of our Tenant Involvement Review, a tenant communication group is being set up to look at and decide what performance information tenants would like to see. More events will be arranged outside of Peterborough and the Association will undertake to involve and engage more with our harder to reach and younger tenants.

Best Value is an important initiative that will have an impact on all Axiom residents; if you would like to be involved in Best Value, please contact Ray Cole, our Performance Improvement Manager, on 01733 347135 or e-mail ray.cole@axiomha.org.uk for more information.

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Press release issued: February 6 2007