High Praise For Mid Beds
This follows Mid Beds’ rise from ‘Fair’ to ‘Good’ in its Comprehensive Performance assessment (CPA) in the Spring of 2007.
Councillor Steve Male, Portfolio Holder for Quality, Policy & Performance Improvement at Mid Beds said: “I am very pleased with the findings of the Audit Commission. These go to show that with strong efforts by staff and Councillors improvements can continue to be made. We will not rest on our laurels though, and we will continue to improve.
“In bringing Central Bedfordshire forward, we can use lessons learned from the Audit Commission to ensure that the new Unitary Central Bedfordshire Council will perform well, continually improve and deliver value for money for residents.”
In a summary of their findings the Audit Commission said:
Ø Mid Beds is improving in many priority areas
Ø Mid Beds is improving both access to, and the quality of, services for its citizens.
Ø The volume of waste collected has significantly reduced and recycling almost doubled
Ø Access to services has improved and progress has been made on equalities and diversity
Ø Overall performance, as measured by performance indicators, is good - with 65% above average
Ø Value for money has improved and the council performs well in this area
Ø Mid Beds’ plans are effectively linked to ensure resources are allocated in accordance with key objectives.
Ø It has robust plans for improving.
Ø Processes for planning and managing performance have been significantly enhanced and are starting to make a real difference. Planning processing times have been lifted to match top the top 25% of performance for minor and ‘other’ applications
Ø The calibre of councillors and staff is sound and internal relationships throughout the council are good
The Audit Commission also praised the council’s focus on improving customer satisfaction with the formation of a Customer Opinion Group, to bring together outcomes from satisfaction and consultation surveys and provide a consistent approach. They said; ‘This action by the council demonstrates their commitment and determination to improve services and thereby maintain and improve resident satisfaction with service delivery.’
Also picked out for praise was the effective local and regional partnership working undertaken by Mid Beds, which is improving access to services and service delivery. Particularly in the areas of IT/Customer services with South Beds District Council and on Housing with neighbouring authorities and Housing Associations.
There are of course areas for improvement and these include:
Ø Mid Beds must do more to meet the significant long term challenges posed by the area’s expanding population and economic growth
Ø Mid Beds need to more clearly align its corporate aims with an overall vision for the area, agreed with partner organisations
Ø More can be done to improve the monitoring of the effectiveness of partnership arrangements
ENDS
Notes for Editors
The Audit Commission act as an independent watchdog, providing information on the quality of public services we provide. Their annual audit and inspection letter provides a summary of their assessment of Mid Beds for 2006/07 and was formally presented to Councillors (Tuesday 18 March). It includes findings and conclusions drawn from the annual audit and from any other inspections undertaken during the year.
