Guildhall out of government monitoring (Northampton Liberal Democrats)

Northampton Liberal Democrats <info@northamptonlibdems.org.uk>

Guildhall out of government monitoring

December 21, 2009 4:00 PM

The Guildhall - making strides under the Lib Dems

After five years of inspections, Northampton Borough Council is out of government monitoring.

In a letter received today (21st December), the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) confirmed that the government had wrapped up its monitoring of Guildhall performance.

The Guildhall was formally assigned inspectors back in 2004, when the then-Conservative Council posted a rating of 'Poor' in its annual assessment.

The 'Poor' score meant a Monitoring Board tracked the Council's activity until steps could be taken to improve quality and value for money across the Council's services.

Inspectors last met in January 2009, almost a year ago, but today announced the Guildhall had been given a clean bill of health.

It is the third piece of good news for the Lib Dem authority in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, the Audit Commission said the Council had 'transformed' itself and was now on a par with its peers.

And last week, the Council was shortlisted for the Local Government Chronicle's 'Most Improved Council' award.

Lib Dem Leader Brian Hoare welcomed the news, saying:

"This is another piece of good news for hard-working local taxpayers.

"After two years under the Lib Dems, the Council is now recognised as being well run, with solid plans for improvement.

"We now want the Guildhall to be up there with the best-run Councils in the country by 2013.

"Like the rest of the country, the Council is facing financial challenges the likes of which local government hasn't seen in years.

"That's why we are taking the tough choices now to work more smartly with neighbouring Councils, local charities and the private sector to get better value for people's £200-odd a year."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Band D Borough Council Tax in 2008/9 is £205.60.