New rating system for councils

Apr 1 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A MINISTER announced sweeping changes to the way councils are graded today.

Communities and Local Government minister Hazel Blears revealed the new plan to the Examiner.

From now on councils will be ranked alongside the Police and the health service.

Ms Blears said: “Good partnership working reduces waste, cut costs – and improves services.

“For the first time, the council, local health services, police and other agencies are to be assessed together on how they are improving life for people. These will examine their joint performance against a series of priorities that represent their local community’s most important concerns.”

Ms Blears praised Kirklees Council as one of just nine local authorities in the country to get a top four-star rating from the Audit Commission.

She said: “Councils like Kirklees are already stepping up to the challenge in these difficult times. The top four star rating it received last month highlights the quality of services provided in the district.

“But with some families and communities struggling, councils, just like the Government, can’t rest on their laurels.”