WARRINGTON Borough Council has been judged a four star “excellent” council by Audit Commission watchdogs – despite being subjected to a new tougher test.
The rating in the national Comprehensive Performance Assessment results means that the authority keeps it places in the top performing 42 per cent of councils nationally.
It is one of only 62 councils to achieve the four star “excellent” rating.
The results are especially significant as Warrington is one of a minority of councils which have been assessed under a 
harder test – tougher requirements introduced by the Government for councils already improving at a faster rate than the national trend.
Four is the maximum star rating available.
The assessment looks at the council’s performance in four key areas: corporate assessment; use of resources; continuous improvement and its range and quality of services.
There are high marks for the council’s management and the way it uses its resources, with inspectors commenting that the council provides “value for money”.
Warmer and more energy efficient homes are available and education performance, including GCSE results, continues to improve at a faster rate than nationally. There has been an increase in the number of young people going into education, employment or training opportunities and more local people are in employment.
Services for adults are improving. The council and its partners are working effectively on plans to reduce health inequalities across the borough and neighbourhood management is beginning to deliver a better quality of life for residents in the town’s most deprived wards. Recycling has improved although the amount of waste generated by households remains high compared with other boroughs.
Environmental services continue to be top performers, including cleanliness of public places, satisfaction with bus services as well as high levels of business and consumer satisfaction with trading standards.
Cultural services celebrate success with excellent scores for the borough’s public libraries.
Coun Ian Marks, leader of the council, said: “Retaining our four star rating is a fantastic achievement and shows how we have continued to improve our performance. We are passionate about making Warrington a great place to live and work now and in the future and this takes us a step closer to that goal.”
Diana Terris, chief executive, said: “Our rating as an excellent council is a true reflection of the hard work, commitment and team work of our members and staff. I would like to thank them all for the vital role they play in our continued success.”
Coun Keith Bland, deputy leader of the council, said: “Warrington’s residents can be proud they are receiving services considered to be among the best in the country. The challenge is to maintain the quality of our services in the future and raise standards even higher.”
Pictured: Diana Terris, chief executive and Coun Keith Bland, deputy leader of the council
