Grim reading, but they're ironing out the weaknesses

UPBEAT leaders at Worcester City Council are confident the authority will improve after it was rated as "fair" - despite the concerns of Government inspectors.

A report into services found the public was "reasonably satisfied" with the council and that it was just four points from reaching "good".

But weaknesses outweigh strengths in half of 10 topic areas - low staff morale and "limited evidence" that tangible improvements will be made were highlighted by the Audit Commission.

"We knew quite well what were our strengths and weaknesses and importantly we have embarked on the process to iron out and improve the weaknesses," said Council leader Coun Stephen Inman.

"The report does emphasise we have the building blocks in place.

"Within two years, or when we are next inspected, I think we should be able to say we would have levered ourselves up into the next category."

The Comprehensive Performance Assessment, published this morning, said the public and partner agencies were often unclear on the council's vision.

"The council has achieved little in terms of actually delivering improvements that will have an impact for local people," it said.

"In the priority areas of tourism and riverside regeneration and economic development and transportation in particular, much of the effort to date has been in trying to identify a clear way forward."

Leader of the opposition Labour group Coun Adrian Gregson said the CPA report made for "grim reading".

"Worcester is rated as only an average council - how can they then expect above average resources from the Government if there is little faith in the administration being able to deliver improvements to the local people?" he said.

"In the area of 'clean, green and safe' - the things most trumpeted by the Tory Cabinet - the Council has only achieved a 'low' score.

"If the administration's highest priorities are only scored at the lowest end, what hope is there of those things identified as of lower priority?"

Things can be improved

MALVERN Hills chiefs have been told the service they provide for the district is "fair" - but there is room for improvement.

The judgement over Malvern Hills District Council has been made by the Audit Commission today - following a week-long assessment of the local authority in September.

During the inspection, officials looked at every part of the council.

The assessment found the overall quality of many core services was good and improving, as was the public's satisfaction with the council.

It also found the authority works well with its partners and provides strong leadership to the community.

And it showed recent investment has significantly improved many aspects of its performance, including the service to housing benefit claimants, the amount of household waste recycled and customer contact facilities.

However, the assessment found room for improvement, particularly in the time taken to determine planning applications and its initiatives to balance the local housing market where the supply of affordable housing

is not meeting local needs.

It also found human resources were stretched in some areas, workforce support and development practices were underdeveloped in some key areas and financial resources for additional development were relatively low.

Following today's report, the council will now plan what it needs to do to improve, with support from the Audit Commission.

"I'm really pleased with the result," said council leader Councillor Tom Wells.

"It's most encouraging that the inspectors have recognised us as a fast-improving authority.

"We're determined to continue improvements to ensure our services meet the needs of local people and welcome the opportunity to make our improvement plan public."

Get your priorities right

Wyre Forest District Council must manage its services better, inspectors have warned.

The Audit Commission said the council's performance was "fair" and it was likely to improve over the coming years. But it gave it a hit list of actions to ensure it builds on good work in the past.

"Wyre Forest District Council is a fair and improving council which is beginning to show an improvement in some key service areas for the public," said Audit Commission senior manager Liz Cave.

"But it still needs to streamline its key priorities and share these with stakeholders and the public so that future improvements are more easily recognisable."

Strengths included a strong leadership with clear vision and priorities, a sound financial footing and a foundation to deliver better services.

But it must manage performance "more actively", continue to learn from partner agencies and improve

e-government schemes.

"The assessment gives local people an unbiased view of how well they are being served by their local council," said leader of the council Coun Stephen Clee.

"It is good to see independent recognition of what we have achieved and praise for what we plan to do in the future.

"The inspection has also given us the opportunity to take a close look at the services we provide for the community and has helped in our constant search for ways to improve."

Wychavon District Council was assessed at the top end of "good" in March this year.