THE Annual Report on Mid Devon District Council's housing service details many changes that have been made including improving safety in tenants' homes and improving the areas in which they live.

All council households in Mid Devon have recently been sent a copy of this newly published Annual Report, showing tenants how the housing service has managed its homes over the past 12 months.

The report highlights some of the housing service's successes, such as the introduction of the caretaker service and work with other agencies to improve the local areas and combat anti-social behaviour.

It also explains how tenants can access services and how they can get involved in working more closely with the council to shape services that are tailored to reflect local priorities.

Councillor Ray Stanley, portfolio holder for housing, explained: "This is our first-ever annual report, which highlights many achievements during the past year. I hope tenants will already have noticed lots of improvements, going right back to 2008.

"What we have got to do now is make sure that we carry on making improvements, even though funding is going to get tighter and tighter.

"The best way to do that is to keep involving tenants, so they can tell us what they really want".

Sandra Hunt, tenant involvement manager, said: "One of the new things we are bringing in are "local offers", such as helping our elderly and disabled tenants with gardening or little jobs around the house.

"We plan to introduce these service improvements by April next year and we will be consulting with our tenants over the next six months in 15 locations around the district. Tenants read more about the proposed local offers in the annual report."

How to get hold of the annual report

Readers can view or download the report on the website http://www.middevon.gov.uk">www.middevon.gov.uk (see under Housing/Council Housing/Publications) or pick up a copy from the Crediton office in Market Street.