Sevenoaks tops efficiency league table

Sevenoaks District Council is officially the most efficient district authority in the country, according the central government agency the Audit Commission.

In a report issued by the Audit Commission last Monday (28 January 2008) which sets out the efficiency of every council in England, Sevenoaks District Council was found to have out performed every local authority in its class.

As part of its annual use of resources submission, Sevenoaks District Council achieved an overall top score of four out of a possible four points, equating to performing strongly.

As part of this assessment, the Council was scored on five criteria covering financial management, financial standing, internal control, value for money and financial reporting.

Out of a possible 20 points, Sevenoaks District Council scored 19, the highest of any district council nationally.

Compared with last year, when it was jointly the most efficient district authority in England, Sevenoaks improved in terms of internal control.

Crucially, Sevenoaks was one of only seven district councils to get the highest possible score for value for money.

Councillor Brian Ramsay, Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for finance, said: "Achieving value for money and efficiency are the foundations on which all our services are built.

“Over the past few years we have worked hard to give local tax payers excellent services at the best possible price so we are pleased to be recognised as the most efficient district council in England.

“Nonetheless, we intend to improve our performance and offer even better value for money in future years.”