Council Performing Well

PRESS RELEASE

9 December 2009

Melton Borough Council is performing well says the Audit Commission, an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services.

In a report published this week the inspectors refer to a recent national survey that showed that 85 per cent of residents in Melton Borough are satisfied or very satisfied with the area as a place to live. This is above the national average.

The Auditors score Councils between 1 and 4 with 1 as performing poorly and 4 is excellent. Melton scored a 3.

The Inspectors say that the Council is well managed and that it provides some good services such as recycling and housing benefits and is making progress in improving services that residents are less satisfied with such as cleanliness. The quality of council and some poorer privately rented housing is being improved. Over 100 affordable homes were built in the area last year – although they comment that this is not enough to match what is needed. It is reported that the Council is also working well with other public organisations to bring down crime and antisocial behaviour.

The report comments that problems that local people have raised as priorities are being tackled. These include helping people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and those most in need and providing housing that meets the needs of the Community.

It is reported that the Council provides activities for children and teenagers when they are not in school and that the Council is developing community centres that can provide a good range of services for residents. People such as those with disabilities, can get advice at home as well as through the new community and children centres.

The town centre was also commented on in the report that said it ‘remains a good place to shop and work.’ The amount of waste recycled has ‘increased and the amount of waste dumped in landfill has reduced, which is important because it is better for the environment’. But inspectors added that the cleanliness of the area remains a problem for residents. Initiatives to reduce antisocial behaviour are working although the number of residents who are confident in the way the police, council and other public agencies are tackling this is well below average.

The Inspectors find that the Council is committed to providing services in the way people want and is reviewing how it works to achieve this. For example, the time taken to process housing benefit claims has been cut from 20 to 7 days despite an increase in the number of people making claims in the recession.

The inspector’s report that the Council understands what their services cost and manages the budget according to how much money it has now and expects to have in the future. It also makes sure its money is spent on its priorities. It is working to make sure its services are value for money. For example where a Melton service costs more to deliver than in similar councils it reviews the service to see how costs could be reduced or performance improved.

The inspectors conclude that ‘Melton Borough Council‘s Members and staff are held responsible for the money they control. There are regular council meetings at which councillors oversee budgets, and make sure that councillors and staff are handling spending properly. All plans for new spending such as to redevelop the Cattle Market and build a new Council building are carefully checked to make sure the Council can afford them and the running costs in the future.’

You can see the full report by using the link provided; Audit Commission

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For more information please contact:

Angela Tebbutt

Assistant Chief Executive

Melton Borough Council

Telephone: 01664 502461

Email: atebbutt@melton.gov.uk