WIGAN & Leigh Housing's efforts to improve council homes have been given the thumbs-up.

Just over a year ago, the 'Arms Length' company that manages 25,000 houses, won £58 million of government cash to finance a massive modernisation programme.

Last week Regeneration Panel members heard that tenant satisfaction rates were high, with contractors scoring consistently above 90 per cent for attitude, tidiness, information and the finished work. Wigan & Leigh Housing was commended for its administration and communication with tenants.

Members were told the council's half-yearly inspection of Wigan & Leigh Housing's performance was an encouraging one, especially with regard to reducing in the number of vacant houses and the length of time they are empty.

The company was found to be making good progress in reducing rent arrears and maximising its income, achieving a reduction of over £250,000 in arrears during 2002/03.

Councillor David Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: "Wigan & Leigh Housing is facing an enormous challenge in trying to spend over £58 million in a very short space of time and we are very impressed with the progress they and their contractors are making on behalf of the borough's council tenants.

"But it hasn't all been plain sailing and we did express certain concerns. Some tenants have endured a lot of upheaval during the works and hadn't always been told what to expect.

"We appreciate that this is a steep learning curve, but lessons need to be learned fast to make sure problems are minimised and, where they do occur, are dealt with as quickly and effectively as possible.

"We have held discussions with management and are confident that they will be. We are now on track to bring every home in the borough up to decency standard by 2008 - two years before the government's deadline."

Wigan & Leigh Housing hopes to invest over £250million into council housing over the next five years and continue to improve its performance along the way.

To assist in this, tenants will be given an improved information pack explaining what modernisation works actually entail; quality control will be

improved and a new customer services officer will be appointed to enhance services to tenants during the programme of works.