LIB DEM TORBAY COUNCIL IN TOP 5 FOR IMPROVEMENT

Liberal Democrat run Torbay Council has been rated as 'Fair' in a corporate governance report from the Audit Commission. This is up from the 'weak' rating from last year and the 'poor' rating (the bottom category) that the Council received when the Conservatives were in power in 2002. The rating improvement comes despite a difficult year culminating in the Council being capped.

"Council is now back on track" - said Cllr. Chris Harris

Torbay Council is one of only five local authorities to improve their ratings two years running.

This 'poor' rating in 2002 led to formal engagement with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and a monitoring board to oversee improvement. Since then there have been over 20 inspections, costing the Council and local taxpayers over £2 million.

The 'fair' rating now means an end to the formal engagement the Council receives from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

The Audit Commission has praised the Council for making "significant progress since its 2002 corporate assessment and has improved in almost every area identified at that time as a weakness."

The report also states that "Political and officer leadership within the Council is now strong", and is "demonstrating strong political and officer leadership both within the council and local community." The inspectors go onto say that "The Council has good quality senior managers and Councillors and has implemented good Councillor training".

In their report, the inspectors also highlighted the fact that the Council had clear vision and priorities, based on the Liberal Democrat manifesto. They say, "The council has a clear base for its priorities. Current priorities were drawn up initially on the basis of the Liberal Democrat election manifesto and then modified in the light of extensive consultation."

The Council was also commended for its work with the local community, saying:

"Partners have universally praised the council's proactive approach to community involvement."

The Council's partnership working came in for particular comment:

"Overall, partnership arrangements are very strong. Outcomes include improvements in community safety." The report goes onto say that "The council has a clear picture of its local communities and their needs and understands what remains to be done in delivering improved services in priority areas."

On the Council's approach to finance, the report says:

• "In particular the council's approach to business planning is very robust and ensures a focus on priority areas."

• "Better procurement is increasingly adding to capacity and the council has made annual savings of £80,000 on stationary".

• "The council has sound financial management and is addressing its financial pressures in a prudent and rigorous manner. This is important for the council in managing its budget within tight financial constraints."

Commenting on the report Councillor Chris Harris, the Leader of Torbay Council said, "The Liberal Democrats were elected on a promise to get this Council back on track. Despite a difficult 18 months, culminating with being capped despite having the second lowest council tax in Devon, we have kept our focus on improving how the Council is run and providing better services. The Audit Commission report reflects the hard work that the Liberal Democrats have put in. The Liberal Democrat administration has come in for some criticism from the Conservatives for the work we have put in to improving our rating. They say that it is too expensive, and has no outcomes for local people. I can give the following independent examples of real improvement: OFSTED have reported real improvements in Torbay's education for our Children. The Audit Commission has also reported real improvements in our Leisure Services. Indeed, surveys now show that our community rates our parks higher than any other authority in Devon. Our Housing Services have also improved. These are real services, showing real improvements, which affect real people.

"This Council whilst under Liberal Democrat control has engaged and consulted with the Community more than ever before. It is the Conservatives that have been against the community's wishes, by opposing the Council's plans to implement Torbay's Community Plan.

"When the Conservatives were in power, the Council received a 'poor' rating - the bottom rating. This resulted in formal engagement with the Government, which has cost the Council £2.3 million in inspections. The 'Fair' rating means we are now free from the formal engagement, and the Council can now concentrate on services rather than inspections.

"Along with Liberal Democrat Southwark we are part of a small group of five councils which have improved twice in two years. The clear message is, if you have a Lib Dem Council you will have an improving Council.

"We are now free from formal engagement with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and able to concentrate on delivering front line services, rather than on the needs of government inspectors. Concentrating on improving services will help ensure that we become a 'good' authority in the future."