East Riding of Yorkshire Council - Main News Story (original) (raw)

A government watchdog has judged East Riding of Yorkshire Council to be among the best councils in the country. In its annual survey of local government, known as the ‘Comprehensive Performance Assessment,’ the Audit Commission has awarded the council the maximum four stars and concluded that it is “improving well”.

Previously a three star council, the Audit Commission verdict means that the East Riding now joins the elite group of top performing councils with the highest rating.

The report states that the council has made good progress during the last year, particularly in some key priority areas such as services for children and young people, improving council housing, services for older people, and providing more access to kerbside recycling.

Other achievements acknowledged include the council’s contribution to wider community outcomes, for example the on-going regeneration of Bridlington and Goole. The report also finds that the council is well positioned to make further improvements and provide even better value for money. The council is not complacent, however, as the report flags up the need for more work to be done to progress other priorities.

Councillor Stephen Parnaby, leader of the council, said: “I am delighted about the Audit Commission’s accolade and it is great news that we have achieved our ambition to be a four star council.

“Despite the problem of relative underfunding in comparison with similar councils, the council continues to provide high quality, value for money services, and to show a capacity for innovation and improvement that bodes well for the challenges of the future.”

Chief executive Nigel Pearson said: “The council’s top four star rating is a guide to how well we serve our residents and is a great achievement.

“Whilst the Audit Commission’s rating is welcome, the council recognises that at the end of the day our residents will be the best judge of our performance – which is how it should be.

“We shall continue to work hard to improve further our services for residents.”

Michael Newbury, the Audit Commission's senior manager responsible for the council, said: "The achievement of four stars should rightly be celebrated by the council.

"We recognise the hard work and commitment of council staff and councillors to improving services.

"The assessment is good news too for the people of the East Riding because it means that they are getting access to good services that represent good value for money."