Council Shows Steady Improvement Under New, Tougher Audit Commission Test

9.19.00pm GMT Mon 14th Dec 2009

Milton Keynes Council has received official confirmation from the Audit Commission that it is definitely moving in the right direction.

The Council has moved from a disappointing one star "poor" rating last year, under the old assessment regime, to two stars under the new style Comprehensive Area Assessment, which also looks at local police, fire and health services. The official rating is now "adequate". Although the Audit Commission has stated that the new report can't be directly compared to last year because of a change in inspection methods, it does make it clear that the new system is more stringent.

Council Leader Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Crooks said: "We have been itching to share this result with the world for the best part of two months. As ever, we have a lot to shout about in Milton Keynes. For instance:

• We are one of only a handful of places nationally to go through to the next stage in our bid for a fully fledged university.

• A recent public opinion survey showed that residents believe we are providing good value for money, and our Council Tax is lower than many surrounding areas and less than the national average.

• We still have lots to talk about, for example the council and our partners recently submitted our official bid to make us a World Cup Host City."

Some of the main points in the report include:

• Milton Keynes Council is improving in some important areas and the early signs of improved leadership and confidence are encouraging.

• The new Chief Executive is leading a corporate improvement board and a virtually new senior management team. With support from external partners, and renewed commitment from all political parties, the Council has a major opportunity to tackle the big issues that need to change.

• Partners say they are more confident about the future.

• Work on community safety is producing some improved results with crime rates down. The Council has been helping to make the area safer. Some housing estates are now better places to live and the Council has tackled rogue traders and late night noise.

• The Care Quality Commission has assessed the Council's adult care services as performing well (a score of 3 out of 4). Adults receive good social care and enjoy easier access and the Council responds well to the involvement of users when changing and improving services.

• The Council's children's services have an improved rating from Ofsted compared to the 2008/09 rating.

• The Council needs to manage its money and staff better in order to focus on priorities, both for the immediate and for the longer term. It has, however, set up a comprehensive improvement programme designed to address weaknesses, with a strong focus on financial governance and financial management.

• The Milton Keynes area has responded quickly to the recession by giving support to businesses and voluntary groups. Inward investment remains relatively buoyant compared with other areas, although more needs to be done to improve educational achievement and the skills of local people.

• Local people express high and improving satisfaction with Milton Keynes as a place to live. The voluntary and community sectors are supporting people to improve the quality of their lives. Partners know that they need to do more to build on this to help promote "community belonging".

• The Council's services for vulnerable people are generally good. Many services are improving and the Council's capacity to deliver better results is improving

*The Council has backed its important new priority of tackling the impact of the recession with some quick actions to support those in greatest need.