Wakefield Council Continues to Improve
14th February 2008
Wakefield Council has received a three star rating for the first time in the national Comprehensive Performance Assessment of local authorities.
The Council welcomed its improved service scores published by the Audit Commission. The report also confirms that citizen satisfaction with services is improving.
Cllr Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council, said he was pleased the report recognised significant areas of improvement and that the Council is on track to improve further in order to receive the three star rating.
He added: "We are very pleased our hard work is being recognised nationally and know that we need to keep making these improvements because that is what the citizens of the district deserve. These up-to-date scores show that we are providing better value for money for citizens and making real progress in meeting and exceeding national targets in priority areas.
"We aim to drive up standards of service year by year and progress so far has been down to taking tough decisions and hard work. External recognition of our progress is welcome but it's also important to see that we have increasing public support for what we are doing. These latest scores show we are travelling in the right direction, and we hope to build on this success to maintain citizen satisfaction and ensure they get the best services we are able to provide."
This new rating has been calculated using service scores and information from previous inspections.
The Audit Commission's report highlights areas like attainment in our schools which is above the national average, and regeneration projects which are managed well and attract good levels of external funding.
It added that engagement with young people was excellent and more were being helped into apprenticeships and employment. This is alongside substantial improvements in the benefits service which meets vulnerable people's needs quicker than before, and an effective prevention of homelessness by the Council.
The report adds: "Wakefield Council is improving well. It has achieved significant improvements in its key priority areas and its overall rate of improvements is well above average. "
The Council achieved a maximum score of four for benefits and five other services (children and young people, culture, environment, housing and social care for adults) all received a score of three out of four. This demonstrates the Council is providing better value for money for citizens and making strong progress in key areas.
Councils receive a Corporate Assessment score that tests their capacity to deliver improvements and work effectively with partners. Wakefield's last corporate assessment was in 2004 when it achieved a score of two out of four. A new corporate assessment is expected in September, which will give the Council an opportunity to update and improve this old score.
This is brilliant news says Dawn lavelle of Wakefield Estate Agents Manning Stainton!
