Northampton Borough Council 'transformed' under Lib Dems

12.00.00am GMT Tue 8th Dec 2009

Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council has 'transformed' the way it works according to government spending watchdog, the Audit Commission.

In its annual assessment, published on the 9th December, the spending agency praised the improvements made at the Guildhall, commenting that the Council now has 'the leadership and capacity to continue to improve'.

The report comes just two years after the Lib Dems took control at the Guildhall and is a marked improvement on the Conservatives' tenure, during which the commission judged there was 'little real progress'.

In 2007, the Audit Commission criticised Conservatives in the Guildhall for failing to improve on the Council's 'poor' rating. The report picked out numerous failings, including lacklustre management, poor political leadership and inadequate financial controls.

According to their latest report, the Borough Council is now performing as well as most other comparable Councils - a huge improvement since their previous inspection, which rated the Council among the worst 13 authorities in the country.

Commenting on the report Scott Collins said "This is truly a great way to start the Christmas period. After so many years of mismanagement by both Labour and Tory administrations it has fell to the Liberal Democrats to make real change for the better across Northampton.

It hasn't been easy but then good and lasting change never is. It would be foolhardy to say we have become the best council we can be but i feel we are more than aware that there is still so much to do if we want Northampton to emerge from this recession as a real force to be reckoned with across the region"

The report highlights how the Council is now better at listening and helping residents get involved. The ongoing regeneration and rejuvenation of the town centre also comes in for praise. There is also recognition that 'good progress' has been made to improve the Council's Revenues and Benefits service and its Housing team - both of which support the town's most vulnerable residents.

Leader of the Council, Cllr. Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington) welcomed the assessment as good news for local taxpayers, saying:

"I am pleased that the Audit Commission now recognises we are a transformed Council. Earlier this year we were told we had made significant progress; this report is further evidence that we have improved local services across the board.

"We will not be resting on our laurels and we have many more tough changes to make. This year has seen the financial climate change considerably; spending cuts and fewer jobs have a huge effect on the Council's coffers and we must do everything possible to protect vital front line services."

A copy of the report is available on the Council's website - www.northampton.gov.uk

The 2009 Audit Commission's Organisational Assessment has found:

The Council has transformed how it works.

The Council has the leadership and capability to continue to improve.

New staff and departments have enabled the Council to improve services for local people.

The Council has made good progress in improving the revenues and benefits Service, and has improved its approach to housing.

Local people are more involved with the Council.

The Council is aware that more improvement is needed to provide the Borough with cost effective services that meet people's needs and hopes.

The Council has put in place good clear plans to continue to improve, linked to what is important.

The Council has set up good processes to manage and improve value for money.