County authority given glowing report (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Hampshire County Council praised in Audit Commission report

7:40am Wednesday 16th December 2009 in Alresford By Warwick Payne

County authority given glowing report

THE watchdog for local authorities has given council chiefs in Winchester a clean bill of health.

The county council, which has its HQ in the city, had a glowing report and was one of only three counties saluted as “excellent”.

Their Tory colleagues down the road at Winchester City Council were judged as “adequate” or “performing well” in all categories.

The same was true of Hampshire Police Authority, which is also based in Winchester, and runs the county’s force.

It was a similar story at Hampshire Primary Care Trust, which oversees the bulk of health services outside hospitals.

Better marks were recorded at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, which “performed well” in all categories.

The Audit Commission's report, where it rated all local authorities, was formerly known as the ‘comprehensive area assessment’. But the inspection was re-branded ‘Oneplace’ to make it snappier.

It allows residents to see how schools and social services — which are run by county councils — are doing.

It also focuses on services from district authorities like Winchester City Council, including bin collections and council housing.

The Audit Commission also examined crime, and named Winchester as the fourth safest place in Hampshire.

It also found that only 10 per cent of Wintonians thought antisocial behaviour was a big problem, which is the lowest level in the county.

Winchester residents are also likely to live longer, find work, and be paid more than most people in Hampshire.

Winchester City Council was praised for its efforts to stave off the recession, such as promoting tourism and making £400,000 available to local businesses.

Its plans to fight climate change also received the green light, although the authority was criticised for not recycling enough.

While less of the district’s rubbish now ends up in landfill, waste collection could be improved, the report said.

The city council also missed its target of creating 100 affordable homes last year, providing 82.

County council bosses were applauded for opening 60 children centres across Hampshire, and exam results were also above average.

The authority was also praised for balancing its budget, which is more than £1bn a year.

The report said: “In 2008/9, the council achieved savings of £25.5m, exceeding government targets, while maintaining the second lowest (nationally) council tax increase of 1.9 per cent over a two-year period.”

County leader, Cllr Ken Thornber, said: “I’m particularly glad that the way we look to make council tax go further and get value for money has been recognised.

“It’s a real challenge to deliver quality services that meet the needs of Hampshire people while keeping council tax at the lowest level possible, and we will continue to strive to make more savings and improve services further.”

Do you think the report reflects reality? Leave your comments below,