Worcester's cultural services are good – and improving

Cultural services provided by Worcester Council  are ‘good’ with ‘promising prospects’ for further improvement, according to a report released today by the independent Audit Commission.

On a scale from zero to three stars the Audit Commission inspection team gave the service, which deals with issues ranging from tourism and museums, through to sports centres and community development, a ‘good’ two-star rating. 

The Council has done much to take into account customer views in developing its services, and provides a good range of quality services.

Liz Cave, Audit Commission senior manager, said: "Worcester provides and supports a wide range of services for local people. In its work with young people, facilities like Perdiswell Skate Park have proved sucessful, as have improvements to the King George V park. Other areas like leisure centres are well maintained and customer-focused.”

Strengths include:
• The wide range of cultural services that are provided, either directly by the Council or in partnership with others
• Using customer feedback to shape the services provided to local people
• Leisure centres are well maintained, and the Advance card has been successful in encouraging more people to use local facilities
• The Council has a track record of organising and supporting major events, including the Victorian Christmas Fayre and the Worcester Festival
• The Council demonstrates that it provides value for money for its cultural services – expenditure in this area is low compared to other councils, while satisfaction is average to good

Areas for improvement include:
• Clarifying the outcomes the Council expects from the services it provides
• The Council’s overall branding and website
• Clarifying the standard of service that customers can expect from Worcester’s cultural services

To help the service improve, inspectors recommended that the Council should, amongst other things:
• Be clearer about the expected outcomes of projects, so that these can be properly assessed
• Strengthen its communications, especially the website, so that customers know what is on offer
• Publish service standards so that culural services are more accountable to those who use them

The areas inspected included: museums and galleries; parks and open spaces; sports centres; tourism; community development; and arts development. In 2006/7 these services account for some £5.43m of expenditure.

Copies of the report are available from Worcester Council or on the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports.

Ends

Press release issued: August 10 2006