WHY oh why do the Press only print the bad news story, isn't life difficult enough as it is? What about a bit of balance?

From the Audit Commission's 21 page draft report received on March 18, 2003 (I am therefore not clear about the weeks of effort by Coun Worrall) there are a range of positive comments that could be picked out that would present an equally misleading rosy picture compared to that of your article, eg Development of new homes has exceeded Local Plan rates; Performance management is strong; Number of initiatives completed which will increase capacity and improve the provision of affordable housing.

This report is part of a process designed to help the Audit Commission develop an assessment system for District Councils in England and as such was intended to be confidential to the Council, however we have made them available to councillors and indeed the overall assessment is on our web site.

One of the benefits of being a Pathfinder was to receive these free assessments and whilst generally the news is positive and we would have had a good overall rating, we are using the results as a basis for a review and development improvement plans in response to the findings, not all of which we agree with.

Indeed the management structure of the council has already been changed in anticipation of the findings of this report to provide a focus on people and their problems rather than concentrating on bricks and mortar.

Our new head of Housing and Revenues, Liz Dyde, has obtained help from our partner Housing Associations, drafted in new senior staff, recruited experienced housing practitioners and is reviewing all aspects of the service and its delivery.

Changes will be made and improvements delivered but not in five minutes.

The council has invested in housing for many years and will continue to do so, indeed an extra £50,000 for staff was made available as part of the current year's budget (2003/2004) and this investment together with a change of management should deliver service improvements for the benefit of Wychavon residents.

I cannot respond to this 21 page report in a short letter but the council's response and improvement plan will be considered by the new council as will the homeless and private sector renewal strategies and the wider housing strategy. Things will happen - so watch this space.

SID PRITCHARD, Managing Director, Wychavon District Council, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore.