DARLINGTON Borough Council has saved nearly £2 million over the last five years thanks to recent changes to housing related support services.

Improvements to working practices and commissions have saved the council around £370,000 a year since 2010.

They attribute their success to a strategic review carried out of its housing related services, which allowed them to redesign and streamline the services.

This improved access and support in dealing with vulnerable clients at risk of homelessness.

Capita Support, a software service, has also helped improve the council's housing services for vulnerable people.

The council now achieves 12 times its annual return on investment in housing support service savings thanks to Capita's help.

Keirron Goffe, business development manager at Capita’s housing business said: “What we are achieving with Darlington Borough Council ensures vulnerable people receive the services most relevant to them as soon as possible, while securing much needed savings for the authority. We are extremely pleased with the outcomes so far.”

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council explained: “A strategic review of our housing related support services has provided an opportunity for us to achieve savings to maximise both value for money for the public purse.

“The Capita system which we have invested in since 2010 has assisted it in carrying out its reviews and provided key information to allow it to review, develop, remodel and commission targeted housing related support services.

“It is just one of the factors that has helped us to improve the efficiency and value for money of services commissioned in Darlington.”