A NEW digital service for Pembrokeshire County Council tenants to provide more flexibility when waiting for housing repairs has been launched.

Tenants reporting a problem with their home can now receive an automatic text message indicating when their repair will take place.

They will receive a variety of messages depending on the severity of the request.

Those in need of emergency repairs will receive a text asking them to ensure someone is at home for at least 24 hours for crews to make the repair.

Priority one repairs (those taking place within nine days of the request being made) will receive a text providing them with a reference number and an indication of when the repair will be made.

Priority 3-8 repairs (minor adaptions) will have a text telling of their reference number and a reminder text the day before the scheduled repair.

Texts will also be issued when jobs are ‘carded’ meaning a card is left when crews turn up for repairs and no-one is home.

Tenants are then asked to call the council to re-arrange.

Meanwhile, follow-up texts will sent on completion asking residents to fill in a satisfaction questionnaire in order to monitor and improve the service.

Cabinet Member for Transformation and Information Technology (IT) Councillor Neil Prior said: “This service provides peace of mind for our tenants.

“It means no more uncertainty wondering when crews will arrive and better communication between us and our tenants which is what we are aiming for with our new digital communication strategy.”

For more information visit pembrokeshire.gov.uk/notify