Shropshire County Council one of UK’s top councils

Shropshire County Council has continued to improve its performance, services and value for money in the past year, and strengthened its position as one of the best councils in the country, according to local government watchdog the Audit Commission.

In its annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) for 2007, the Audit Commission rated Shropshire County Council a “four star” council that is “improving strongly” – for the third year running. This is the highest rating possible.

Shropshire County Council delivers some 80 per cent of council services in the Shropshire area (outside Telford & Wrekin), including libraries, adult care services, schools and highways maintenance.

In its annual CPA report (see notes), the Audit Commission said:

“Service costs in education and social care are amongst the lowest nationally whilst educational and social care performance indicators are amongst the best and improved further this year… Value for money has been improved further this year and access to services has been improved dramatically with the introduction of a new Customer Service Centre.”

The report shows that, in the last year, the council achieved the following scores in a series of assessments, each of which feeds into the overall CPA rating:

- Use of resources (which rates how the council manages its finances and provides value for money): 4 out of 4 (performing strongly).
- Adult social care services: 4 out of 4 (performing strongly) - up from 3 out of 4 last year.
- Services for children and young people: 4 out of 4 (performing strongly).
- Cultural services (including libraries and leisure): 4 out of 4 (performing strongly).
- Environmental services (including highways, planning and waste): 3 out of 4 (performing well).

Malcolm Pate, Leader of Shropshire County Council, said: “Anyone who seeks to constantly improve their performance, whether it is running a marathon or delivering council services, soon discovers that the better you get the harder you have to work to keep getting better. I warmly welcome these findings, which show that Shropshire County Council continues to be recognised as one the best councils in the country for delivering excellent services and value for money to local people. This really is an excellent achievement.”

Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive of Shropshire County Council, said: “These results are great news for the council, but even better news for the people of Shropshire who can be confident that we are continuing to provide them with some of the best and most highly-rated services in the country, whilst also offering outstanding value for money.“

The full statement in the Audit Commission’s report says:

“Shropshire County Council is improving strongly. Seventy-three per cent of performance indicators have improved over the last three years (which ranks Shropshire 17th out of all 388 authorities). Sixty-seven per cent of indicators have improved in the last year which is well above the national average. In addition 50 per cent of all Shropshire’s performance indicators are in the top quartile of performance compared to the single tier average of 28 per cent. Overall satisfaction with the Council is well above average at 56 per cent. Service costs in education and social care are among the lowest nationally while educational and social care performance indicators are among the best and improved further this year. Despite this value for money has been improved further this year. Access to services has improved dramatically this year with the introduction of a new Customer Service Centre which has already dealt with 100,000 calls across 22 service areas. The Council achieved level 3 of the Equality standard and is already progressing well towards level 4. The local strategic partnership is also seen as a model of good practice. Community consultation and partner engagement are excellent. The Council has been awarded Beacon status for its work on children at risk and for improving rural services. Planning and performance management processes are sophisticated and ensure priorities and targets. The council has strong Officers and Members who continue to improve services from an already high level.”

7 February 2008