‘Better services to come’ promised

COUNCIL chiefs have pledged further improvements after receiving the Audit Commission’s critical Annual Audit and Inspection letter.

As revealed in the Chronicle, Oldham Council was rated two stars and improving adequately in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) — the same rating for the past four years.

It put the borough in the bottom 20 per cent of councils and it was the lowest in Greater Manchester.

The letter stated: “The council has been slow to modernise and faces significant financial challenges; this is reflected in high overall costs.”

The letter says that although overall performance improvement was “inconsistent” in some areas, significant improvements have been achieved in adult social care, safeguarding children, environmental services and housing.

But areas highlighted in need of particular improvement included the benefits administration service, financial reporting procedures, prioritisation and target setting arrangements.

Council chiefs say the letter will be circulated to all councillors and key recommendations will form the basis of a review.

Cabinet member for finance and resources, Councillor Lynne Thompson, said: “The commission’s inspection letter has highlighted the further improvements that are needed and the council is ready to meet those challenges and take further strides forward to improve local services to residents.

“We have already begun putting measures into place to achieve them and this will now be the basis for our efforts in the months to come.”