Congleton Borough Council ‘performing well’ says new report » Local Government » 24dash.com

Congleton Borough Council is performing well and is now rated as good, according to a new report released today by the independent Audit Commission.
 

The Council has responded well to the improvement issues identified in its previous comprehensive performance assessment (CPA) in 2003. It has increased its rating from the previous weak category, following an inspection of its performance by the Commission. The corporate assessment looked at the Councils ambitions, its ability to improve its services and what it has achieved since the last assessment.
 

Audit Commission senior manager Peter Forrester said: Congleton Borough Council has clear ambitions for the local area and provides effective community leadership. It has worked well with local communities and partners to identify clear priorities for improvement and it has then concentrated its efforts in these areas. This has helped it to improve most in the areas that are important to local people, such as the cleanliness of neighbourhoods, activities for young people and nuisance behaviour. The Council will need to continue this and make sure that all neighbourhoods and groups within communities feel the benefits.
 

Strengths include:
 

• Local ambitions are set out clearly within strategic plans and they are supported by a comprehensive set of targets that challenge the Council and its partners to deliver improvements that people will notice.
• The executive and management team have focussed on priority issues and this was a key feature in recovering from a position of severe financial difficulty. The Council now provides good value for money.
• Council services are well organised and directed towards achieving benefits for the local community. Progress has been achieved across a wide range of services, with stronger progress in priority areas.
   

There are a few areas for improvement:
 

• The Council needs to make faster progress in evaluating its policies and service delivery to ensure that the needs of all people within its diverse communities are being addressed fairly.
• Performance reviews should include better information on the quality of services and the differences in how people experience them, depending on where they live or if they are part of a vulnerable or disadvantaged group.
• Strengthen plans to develop the skills and knowledge of the workforce, so that they will match future needs, and improve the development opportunities and support available for councillors.
   

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