Independent inspectors rate St Edmundsbury the best in Suffolk
Senior councillors and managers at St Edmundsbury have welcomed the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) rating of Good by independent inspectors from the Audit Commission.
With 45 points - just three points off a top rating of Excellent - St Edmundsbury has the highest score among district and borough councils in Suffolk.
Commenting on the report issued today Council Leader, Cllr John Griffiths, said:
"This report shows that we're not just good, we're very good at what we do here at St Edmundsbury. And I can promise all those who live and work in our borough that we will get even better as we put our improvement plans into practice. As well as councillors and staff, my thanks must go to our partners and those who work with us in the community for the strong level of co-operation and shared ownership which helps us to keep improving the quality life. Our vision is to be an excellent council and I have no doubt that we will turn that vision into reality in the future."
The Audit Commission inspectors had particular praise for the council's strong and effective leadership which has influence at local, county and regional levels, its sense of direction, partnership working, ability to learn from experience and consultation, ambitious priorities and clear plans for the future. The report notes that political parties work effectively together and there is a positive working relationship between councillors and staff - all helping St Edmundsbury to achieve its goals.
The inspectors did warn that St Edmundsbury needs to make sure its priorities reflect the needs of all sections of the community, especially black minority ethnic groups. And while some services came in for particular praise, such as recycling, others need to improve, such as dealing with litter and detritus (dust, twigs and so on) in some areas - now a Cabinet commitment.
Chief Executive Deborah Cadman said:
"I am immensely proud of the tremendous commitment to our aim of excellence that has been demonstrated throughout St Edmundsbury. We have taken a giant leap towards improvement. Now we need just one small step towards excellence.
There are areas where the inspectors say we simply have to do better but none of them came as a surprise to us because we know exactly what we have to do and are already working on the improvements."
The main report showed that in eight out of ten themes St Edmundsbury had more strengths than weaknesses with one area, learning, having no weaknesses at all. Performance management - the systems for measuring individual staff performance, internal service and team plans, for example, as well as monitoring of complaints from the public and clear standards for each service - was the one area where weaknesses outweighed strengths.
Apart from taking a look at the council's overall performance the inspectors also carried out a more detailed inspection of two important areas of responsibility - housing and open spaces. Both were given a rating of B, indicating there was a low need to improve. A third element of the CPA assessment, from appointed auditors, gave a rating of 3 - Adequate (on a scale of 1-4) for the way St Edmundsbury manages its finances. The final part, an assessment by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate, rated the Council Tax and Housing Benefit service as fair to good.
A summary of the report is available on St Edmundsbury's website at http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/sebc/live/CPA.cfm
ENDS
Contact: Council Leader, Cllr John Griffiths, 01359 268881, mobile 07958 700434
Chief Executive, Deborah Cadman, 01284 757001
ISSUED BY MARIANNE HULLAND, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757034. marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
