Wear Valley District Council is now 'excellent' says watchdog

Wear Valley District Council is now excellent according to a new report released today by the independent Audit Commission.

The Councils comprehensive performance assessment (CPA) rating increased from its earlier fair score 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 Marion Talbot said: The Council has improved significantly since our last corporate assessment in 2004. It has improved services that matter to the public such as housing benefits and street cleaning. It has been very successful in regenerating town centres in the district and increasing employment opportunities for local people. With its partners the Council has developed a significant programme of health projects, including walking and jogging initiatives; art and mental health projects and breakfast clubs. These are improving the quality of life for local people.
 

Strengths include:
 

• The Council and its partners share well-understood and challenging long term ambitions to regenerate the district and improve the economy and physical environment of the area. Partnership working is very effective.
• The Council has a good understanding of local needs. Its priorities are clear and reflect what local people say is important to them. Realistic and robust financial strategies ensure that resources are targeted to these priority areas.
• Overall, the Council delivers good services that continue to improve. Key services such as planning, benefits and street cleaning have all improved and customer satisfaction has increased.
• The Councils achievements in regenerating the area's economy are strong. Its regeneration activity has contributed to maintaining employment levels despite closures of large employers within the district. The numbers of people on incapacity benefit are reducing.
• The Council works successfully with partners to improve the health of local people. A number of effective partnerships are in place including the award winning WOW (Wellness on Wheels) mobile gym.
   

Areas for improvement include:
 

• The Council has been slow to develop a strategic approach to equalities and diversity but is now addressing the gaps in its approach. Building on its progress to date to ensure that a consistent approach is taken across all services will help the Council become more inclusive.
• The Council does not widely publicise the level of service that users can expect from individual services. The Council should ensure that the public are aware of the standard of service they should expect and can feedback to the Council on areas for improvement.

Following todays report Wear Valley District Council will plan what it needs to do to further improve its services to meet the changing needs of its residents. Copies of the report are available from Wear Valley District Council or from the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports