While the Audit Commission have been praising pathfinders for their regeneration efforts the small print in many of areas gives a different impression.
Renew North Staffordshire demolished three times more homes than it built last year. Over 500 homes bulldozed and just 146 built.
BridgingNewcastleGateshead, our very own pathfinder, was said to have performed strongly having demolished 930 homes and refurbished 2,226. The pathfinder is projected to build 24 new properties in 2009/10 of which 16 will be conversions of existing buildings. Over 190 demolitions are planned for the current financial year.
So how could the Audit Commission award the highest level of confidence in what are essentially demolition projects building tiny numbers of new homes?
Surely the Audit Commission would be entirely independent able to review performance without any perceived conflict of interest. Ordinary members of the public whose homes face demolition would like to think so. Unfortunately if you list the board members you will find none other than Jim Coulter the Chairman of BridgingNewcastleGateshead our own local, and well praised, pathfinder. Does it surprise you?
Link
Audit Commission Reports
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