In 2004 St Edmundsbury Borough Council was rated as good and in 2007, after three years of improvement, asked the Audit Commission to look at us again. This assessment was tougher than 2004, with more focus on the way we make the best use of our resources and the difference we make to people's lives through our front line services.
The Audit Commission inspection team took into account evidence including:
- a 20-page self - assessment (PDF 1.2Mb), setting out our strengths and weaknesses;
- a separate document giving examples of our work as case studies (PDF 1.8Mb);
- 250 other pieces of written evidence;
- attendance at staff and committee meetings;
- focus groups of stakeholders and staff;
- interviews with partner organisations, residents, staff and councillors;
- survey of partners and other organisations; and
- tour of the borough, including major developments in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill, plus affordable housing schemes and local community initiatives in rural areas.
Every piece of evidence was challenged by the inspectors who focused on what actual differences we are making, what outcomes there are for our community as a result of the council's work. They also checked why we do things – asking for proof that we listen to our customers, set priorities based on their views and design services that take into account their needs. The team also wanted to see whether we could take difficult, sometimes unpopular, decisions if it was to the general benefit of the community.
After reading all the evidence and meeting a wide range of people the inspectors rated us as excellent – an assessment which was then challenged by another independent board, who checked St Edmundsbury was being judged fairly against other councils across the country.
The Audit Commission highlighted one area where we need to improve – making better use of the data we gather so we can target our services more effectively at all parts of our community. We already have an improvement plan in place which is helping us to tackle areas where we could do better and we're looking forward to using the expertise we've developed over the years to help others.
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