Pathfinder builds on strong performance

‘Performing Strongly’. That is the outcome of the latest annual review of the work of the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder.

Independent government watchdog the Audit Commission took an in depth look at the Pathfinder’s performance last autumn, and has now published its verdict.

The rating of ‘performing strongly’ is the highest available. Despite the problems faced by the construction industry and the depth of the recession, the Oldham Rochdale HMR Pathfinder has continued to make progress.

Pathfinder Director Alastair Graham said, “We are very pleased that the Audit Commission has again recognised our strong performance. Despite the economic downturn, we have continued to build new homes, and taken the opportunity to assemble sites and clear redundant buildings to be ready to make good progress as the recovery gets underway.”

This year will see the start of hundreds of new high quality homes being built for rent and sale across the Pathfinder, such as at Wood Street on Langley, Kitchen Street in Rochdale and Romney Avenue on Kirkholt”

The Audit Commission’s report noted that the Pathfinder is making good use of its market intelligence to shape future investment programmes. It is developing choices for affordable housing, meeting the needs of all sections of diverse communities.

It also noted that the Pathfinder continues to perform strongly in its approach to community cohesion, consultation and support. It has responded well to the recommendations in previous reviews, and is keeping a clear and consistent focus on promoting equal opportunities, diversity and community cohesion.

The Pathfinder has kept up the momentum in its programme. Since it began in 2004 the Pathfinder has supported the building of 367 new high quality homes, refurbished 3173 houses, assembled 20 hectares of brown-field land for house building and helped to create 515 jobs and 1100 training places in the construction industry.

Also among its strengths the Pathfinder has carried out good work with its partners, to raise its profile within Greater Manchester, focused particularly on improving the quality of the private rented sector in the two boroughs.

The report did identify areas which require improvement. These include:

• Addressing the continuing problems of graffiti and litter in some intervention areas 
• Establishing a more complete set of indicators and targets to better record the impact that its programme is making 
• Further developing the approach to benchmarking and embedding value for money in all activities

As part of its action plan following the report, Pathfinder says it is establishing a more complete set of indicators and targets to record the programme’s impact and developing further its approach to delivering value for money in all its activities, to make the most efficient and effective use of its resources.