Borough Council making progress under Lib Dems - Audit Commission

11.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Apr 2009

Cllr Tony Woods

The Audit Commission, the UK's independent spending watchdog, has said Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council made 'significant progress' last year, despite spending constraints, and that it will continue to make progress 'improving services for local people'.

Welcoming the report, Lib Dem Council Leader Tony Woods said:

"This is by far the most positive report the Borough has seen from the Audit Commission since its damning verdict in 2004.

"12 years of Labour rule saw the council labelled 'Poor'. 4 years later, the Tories had taken the Borough backwards.

"Two years on, the Lib Dems have proof positive of getting to grips with the problems, improving value-for-money and services for Northampton's hard-working residents.

"Years of failure takes time to put right and there is still a long way to go before the council is up with the best. But this professional audit confirms that we are now going in the right direction."