HMR Pathfinder applauded by Audit Commission
29 February 2008
The organisation leading the transformation of housing markets in Rochdale and Oldham has been praised for its performance by Government watchdog the Audit Commission.
The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder has this week been awarded a further £90 million to be invested over the next three years.
The assessment by the Audit Commission gives a positive assessment of how well the Pathfinder is doing to bring massive changes to areas of the boroughs facing wide ranging redevelopment.
Overall, the Pathfinder was assessed as ‘performing well’ with a significant need for continuing investment.
Pathfinder Director Alastair Graham said, “We are pleased that the Audit Commission has recognised what has been achieved by the Pathfinder and its partners so far.”
“It is still early days in our programme, but with the announced funding we can step up the level of house building needed in both boroughs to bring about the transformation needed.”
Over the last four years, high quality new homes have been built in both boroughs in partnership with Rochdale and Oldham Councils, developers and housing associations.
The Audit Commission judged the Pathfinder on its ‘direction of travel’, on the need for future investment to tackle low demand and an assessment of the Pathfinder’s plans for the next three years.
Across seven criteria on which the Pathfinder was judged, it was found to be performing strongly or performing well, the highest judgements in all but one. A judgement of performing adequately was made for delivery and impact, though it was acknowledged that it was early in the programme for this to be assessed.
Amongst the Pathfinder’s strengths were a strong approach to masterplanning and raising the quality of new developments, and that it carried out detailed monitoring of market change.
Community cohesion issues were well understood and responded to, and there was good evidence contributing to policies on the mix of new homes needed.
The Audit Commission also said that the Pathfinder needs to bring forward new developments, and to contribute further to the economic development across both boroughs.
The report described the Pathfinder’s vision as clear specific and ambitious, playing a pivotal role in the regeneration of Oldham and Rochdale