16/12/2004 - Audit Commission acknowledge county council improvements

Improvements in the way Cumbria County Council is managed and services such as education, environmental management and social services delivered are recognised in the latest government assessment of the council published today. The Audit Commission, in its annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment for 2004, states "...the council is now well placed to improve the way it works and the services it provides to local people."

The annual assessment still rates the council as "weak" but in contrast to the assessment for 2003 it acknowledges significant progress to enhance performance management with actions in place to tackle problem areas identified last year. Education is given the highest possible rating making Cumbria one of the best performing local education authorities in the country.

Council leader Tim Stoddard says:

"The issues identified last year have been tackled and work towards further improvements will continue. The performance management programme is paying dividends and service improvements are following. The direct action in social services has been acknowledged along with identifying ways to address waste management issues. Whilst this isn't yet sufficient to raise our overall assessment Cumbria's prospects are on the up.

Education services are ranked amongst the best in the country and the quality of Cumbria's libraries etc has been maintained. 

Great credit goes to the staff of the council who have brought about these improvements. We will all continue to work hard to build on the progress made and deliver services across the council's directorates that meet the highest standards."