The publication of the ALMO East Kent Housing's first year's figures, showing an increase in customer satisfaction to 98.5%, a reduction in rent arrears, and savings targets exceeded by more than £500,000, demonstrate quite clearly why the vision of shared services holds out real hope of better management in otherwise difficult times.
Conservative Group Leader, Bob Bayford commented: "These figures show that bold steps in creating new organisations can improve both the service offered to our residents, and value for money for the council tax payer. When in opposition, the minority Labour administration at Thanet District Council constantly criticised the creation of any shared services, and particularly housing. I look forward to their admission that their judgement was wrong, and their welcome to this particular legacy of the Conservative administration, as praised in the journal, Inside Housing".