A COUNCIL league table released today has confirmed that Kirklees improved last year.

The Audit Commission report gives the council the top mark of four stars for 2007.

Kirklees won three stars in 2005 and 2006.

Calderdale and Leeds also won four stars last year, while Wakefield and Bradford got three.

The news comes four months after the commission published a Comprehensive Performance Assessment for Kirklees, which rated it the second best council in the country.

Kirklees leader Clr Robert Light said: “This new report provides further confirmation that we are moving in the right direction and providing top-quality services for our residents.

“That is a credit to our workforce, our partners and everyone who works with us to provide services for the residents.

“I would like to thank them all for the contribution and support they have given in keeping Kirklees in this highly-acclaimed position.

“However, as always, when you are at the top of the tree the challenge is to stay there. There is no complacency and we will work with partners to ensure that not only do we remain a top- performing council, but get even better.”

The commission report says: “Kirklees is improving well. The council has strong processes for identifying and acting on its priorities of a strong economy, high-quality environment and social inclusion.

“It is making progress on these priorities.

“Most performance indicators have improved, and access to, and satisfaction with, services has risen.

“Value for money is good and improving.”

Across England, 55 councils won four stars, 68 got three and 23 received two stars. Only two councils got one star.

Audit Commission chairman Michael O’Higgins believes the results are encouraging.

He said: “This is good news for most councils and taxpayers in England, with the majority of councils performing better than ever.

“These results show that most English councils are in a strong position to take on the more demanding role now expected of them.”

But local government minister John Healey warned that there was no room for complacency.

He said: “Councils must look for further improvements and efficiencies, not because ministers say so but because it frees up cash which can be used to improve services or reduce pressure on council tax bills.

“I want to equip local residents to challenge their councils on running more efficiently, as they have a right to expect.

“From next year information on waste and better working will be set out with council tax bills, so that local people can see what is happening with their council’s search for efficiency.”