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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Councils 'providing good service' | Councils 'providing good service' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Most councils are giving a good and improving service to local people, according to a watchdog body. | Most councils are giving a good and improving service to local people, according to a watchdog body. |
| An Audit Commission report for councils in England looked at performance across a range of services such as education, elderly care, housing and recycling. | An Audit Commission report for councils in England looked at performance across a range of services such as education, elderly care, housing and recycling. |
| Some 55 local authorities achieved the top four-star rating, 68 got three stars and 23 received two stars. | Some 55 local authorities achieved the top four-star rating, 68 got three stars and 23 received two stars. |
| The number with one star fell from five in the previous year to two - Liverpool and Rutland - and none were zero star. | The number with one star fell from five in the previous year to two - Liverpool and Rutland - and none were zero star. |
| Ratings leap | Ratings leap |
| The commission's Comprehensive Performance Assessment for 2007 found 13 councils were both top-rated and "improving strongly". | The commission's Comprehensive Performance Assessment for 2007 found 13 councils were both top-rated and "improving strongly". |
| Councils continue to rise to the challenge of delivering better services for local people at better value for money Michael O'HigginsAudit Commission chairman | |
| Camden, City of London, Kensington and Chelsea, Kent, Shropshire, Tameside, Wandsworth and Shropshire were in this category for the second year running. | Camden, City of London, Kensington and Chelsea, Kent, Shropshire, Tameside, Wandsworth and Shropshire were in this category for the second year running. |
| They were joined by Bracknell Forest, Gateshead, Leicestershire, Somerset and Sutton for 2007. | They were joined by Bracknell Forest, Gateshead, Leicestershire, Somerset and Sutton for 2007. |
| Two authorities, Lambeth and Stoke-on-Trent, jumped two star ratings from 2006, while Bedfordshire, Hackney and Sefton have improved in each of the past two years. | Two authorities, Lambeth and Stoke-on-Trent, jumped two star ratings from 2006, while Bedfordshire, Hackney and Sefton have improved in each of the past two years. |
| 'Strong position' | 'Strong position' |
| Audit Commission chairman Michael O'Higgins said the report was "good news" for taxpayers. | Audit Commission chairman Michael O'Higgins said the report was "good news" for taxpayers. |
| He said: "The 2007 results show that councils continue to rise to the challenge of delivering better services for local people at better value for money. | He said: "The 2007 results show that councils continue to rise to the challenge of delivering better services for local people at better value for money. |
| "Most English councils are in a strong position to take on the more demanding role now expected of them. | "Most English councils are in a strong position to take on the more demanding role now expected of them. |
| "Where there are challenges, we know the characteristics they need to copy from the highest performers - strong leadership, a skilled management team willing to take tough decisions and an ongoing focus on poorly performing services." | "Where there are challenges, we know the characteristics they need to copy from the highest performers - strong leadership, a skilled management team willing to take tough decisions and an ongoing focus on poorly performing services." |
| David Shakespeare from the Local Government Association said councils should not rest on their laurels. | David Shakespeare from the Local Government Association said councils should not rest on their laurels. |
| "Councils are already the most efficient part of the public sector, making efficiency savings of £100m a month, and these figures show that town halls are continuing to improve. | "Councils are already the most efficient part of the public sector, making efficiency savings of £100m a month, and these figures show that town halls are continuing to improve. |
| "However, complacency is not an option. All councils must strive to match the best in the country and the highest performers need to keep on providing local people with top-quality services." | "However, complacency is not an option. All councils must strive to match the best in the country and the highest performers need to keep on providing local people with top-quality services." |