Report Gives Thumbs-Up for Lib Dem Council

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Jun 2006

The Council's Liberal Democrat administration is delighted with the results of their major Audit Commission inspection. Milton Keynes Council has been given an overall score of 3 out of 4, which means it is judged to be performing well. The inspection was carried out in March when the Lib Dems had the majority of seats on the Council and the report is published today, 23 June.

Isobel McCall, Leader of a "strong Cabinet" according to the report, said: "I am delighted that the achievements of the Liberal Democrat administration have been recognised in such a major inspection. A similar inspection carried out in 2002, which looked at the Council's progress mainly before the Liberal Democrats took control, judged the Council to be 'weak'. The current inspection was conducted under tougher rules than the previous one, so this makes it an even bigger achievement."

The "style of some elements of the opposition" comes in for some criticism in the 2006 report and the scrutiny function is seen as an area for improvement. The report says: "The style of political engagement operated by elements of the opposition is not helpful to the Council as a whole," and comments on the opposition frequently using the press to debate issues rather the Council's scrutiny system.

The Lib Dem Council is seen as having particular strengths in exercising community leadership "sensitively and effectively" and in partnership working. "The Council has an unusually strong set of mature relationships with partners from all sectors," it states.

The Council scored highly on achievements across a range of service areas. Highlights include:

• an increase in public transport use that is "contrary to the trend experienced nationally" - up to a 30% increase on some routes

• the delivery of 30% affordable housing in the last two years

• strong links with health that are helping to reduce health inequalities

• a strong focus on the needs of older people

• reduction in the fear of crime in areas where effective partnership working is taking place

• taking difficult decisions to improve educational standards

• a substantial and successful school building programme

• increased capacity achieved through the partnership with HBS.

Liberal Democrat Leader of the Council, Isobel McCall, said: "We would like to thank the staff for their hard work in helping us to turn the Council around. When the Lib Dems took over the Council in 2002 there were many failings and financial difficulties. We have shown that we have turned the Council around. We must not be complacent and will be making plans to deal with the areas that need improvement, which are far fewer in number than in 2002. The Liberal Democrats will be aiming high so that we can achieve the top score next time."