Purse strings league leaders

OLDHAM Council’s financial performance has been highlighted by the independent public spending watchdog as ‘top of the league’.

The Audit Commission’s annual report on the stewardship of taxpayers’ money by local public bodies says Oldham was the first of 472 public bodies to publish its final accounts on June 25 — almost a month ahead of the nearest challenger, Transport for London.

The report praises the council for closing the books in what is now confirmed as a national record time — three months ahead of the deadline.

The report uses Oldham Council as a case study, explaiining how it was achieved and the resulting benefits.