We‘re proud to announce we have become the first local authority to receive the highest C1 grading following our recent inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).  

This outcome means as a landlord we are delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards and have demonstrated that we identify when issues occur and put plans in place to remedy and minimise recurrence. 

The RSH sets the standards which social landlords, including local authorities, must deliver to make sure tenants experience high quality homes and services. The inspectors spent time with both the council and Berneslai Homes, the arms-length management organisation which provides housing services on behalf of the Council, managing around 18,000 homes.  

Various areas were assessed with an emphasis on the safety and quality of homes, tenancy management, transparency and accountability. The process included interviews with tenants, observations of Berneslai Homes’ customer and board meetings, meetings with our senior leadership teams, and a thorough review of performance across a wide range of areas. 

This positive outcome highlights our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality homes, prioritising the safety, needs, and wellbeing of tenants. The C1 grading underpins the effectiveness of collective efforts between Barnsley Council, Berneslai Homes, tenants, and partners to make sure council-owned homes are safe and well-maintained, customers are listened to and respected, and services are responsive and effective in an ever changing and challenging sector.  

Inspectors saw evidence that tenants are provided with a wide range of informal and formal opportunities to give feedback, from reviewing documents from home to sitting on Berneslai Homes’ Board, and that this valuable feedback at all levels is used to directly and positively impact service delivery. We have made commitments to continuously improve and embed the customer voice in our decision making and improvement journey, and we have plans in place to create even more opportunities for different voices to be heard and to help shape services.  

In its judgement the Regulator was also satisfied that Barnsley: 

• Is meeting its health and safety obligations and uses its understanding of the quality and safety of properties to make decisions on future investment to maintain and improve homes. 

• Makes effective use of partnership opportunities and works proactively with relevant organisations to improve outcomes. 

• Tailors services to meet tenants’ diverse needs and deliver fair and equitable outcomes. 

Areas recommended for further development are set out in the regulatory judgement. We understand where improvements can be made, and have plans in progress to deliver the improvements needed.  

Reassurance was also provided that an effective responsive repairs service is provided where tenant vulnerabilities are taken into account and the urgency of works is responded to appropriately. We acknowledge the challenges faced in carrying out repairs and maintenance and we are on a journey to further improve other aspects of our service and work closely with tenants.  

Councillor Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: "We’re incredibly proud that we have received such a positive result and are the first local authority to be graded a C1. 

“This outcome gives us a really good sense of what is going well and reflects our dedication to improving housing services, providing safe and warm homes, and putting our tenants at the heart of everything we do.  

“However, while we celebrate this milestone, we’re not complacent and we know there are still areas where we can and will improve, working with tenants and partners to get the best for Barnsley." 

Amanda Garrard, Chief Executive of Berneslai Homes, said: “We welcomed the changes brought to housing regulation in recent years and we’re really encouraged by the outcome of the inspection here in Barnsley during a challenging time for the whole sector.  

“It provides an opportunity to reflect on and feel proud about what’s working well whilst also understanding our weaknesses and identifying those areas where we can do better to deliver the best service we can to customers.  

“We’re determined to address the ongoing challenges of maintaining an older housing stock, including improvements to the repairs and maintenance service, as we understand the impact this has on customers. We’re committed to moving forward together with tenants, making sure that more and different voices are heard, helping to meet their evolving needs and shaping better services for everyone.” 

The judgement in full can be read on the Regulator of Social Housing website. For more information on Berneslai Homes, visit berneslaihomes.co.uk.