Council services get better and betterThu, 07 February 2008Hounslow Council is ‘improving well’ and has the leadership and vision to deliver even better services according to a new national report.The council has continued to improve key services such as housing, education and children’s social care in the past 12 months according to the Audit Commission’s annual assessment of the performance of English councils.Hounslow was awarded three out of a possible four stars for its overall performance in 2007 and scored four stars for its “excellent” adult social care services.The latest report – known as the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) – highlights the council’s “innovative approaches to community cohesion” and its “ambitious performance improvement programme” which is designed to improve council services and give local residents better value for money.Hounslow’s CPA found that the council has a good financial standing and “continues to deliver value for money”. Some of its key challenges include improving rates of recycling, street cleanliness, the conditions of local roads and housing benefits.Cllr Peter Thompson, the leader of Hounslow Council, said: “This is great news for Hounslow as it proves we are providing high quality services that are getting better and better. There’s still plenty of room for improvement and we are determined to provide excellent services for all our residents.“The Audit Commission recognises the strength of our leadership and vision for the borough, which is outlined in the council’s four-year Hounslow Plan. We welcome this report as it demonstrates that we are heading in the right direction and can confidently pursue our ambition of making Hounslow a better place to live.”The council’s chief executive, Mark Gilks, said: “The CPA looks at how efficiently the council is run and assesses whether those services are delivering value for money for the taxpayer.”“I am delighted that the Audit Commission has recognised the excellent work of the council and its employees. We will continue to work hard to improve services and deliver better value for money for local residents. I am particularly pleased that our adult social care services have received the highest possible rating.“However, we are not complacent and we will continue to work to ensure that all of our services are of the highest possible quality for local residents.”The Audit Commission assessment of the council states:“Hounslow Council is improving well. The council continues to deliver improvements in priority areas, such as educational attainment, children’s social care and housing. Adult social care services are excellent.“The rate of improvement of key performance indicators is at the national average. However, challenges remain in respect of recycling, street cleanliness, condition of roads and housing benefits.“The council works well with partners to deliver wider community outcomes such as regeneration, reductions in the rates of crime and teenage pregnancy.“The council knows its diverse communities well and is using innovative approaches to community cohesion.“The council continues to deliver value for money well and its financial standing is good. There is effective leadership and a clear vision for the area.“The continued focus on performance management has led to improvements in key areas such as youth offending.“Effective approaches to recruitment and retention have resulted in below average vacancies for social care staff.“The council continues to develop its capacity through its ambitious performance improvement programme. The council is well placed to continue to deliver improvements in services that matter to local people.”
John Todd ● 6378d