Audit Commission Awards Hounslow Three Stars

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Council "Improving Well" according to Government inspectors

The Audit Commission has awarded Hounslow Council three out of a possible four stars in its annual report presented to the Executive and Opposition parties Tuesday 7th February 2006.

Every year the Audit Commission is required by statute to report an Annual Audit & Inspection Letter to Members of the Council. The letter summarises the previous year’s Audit & Inspection Activity in Hounslow.

The Commission’s Annual Audit and Inspection Letter reviews how well councils are delivering services for local people, and rates their capacity to keep improving them. Hounslow was found to be “improving well” and is in a good position to carry on improving the services it provides to local people.

The Leader of the Council, Colin Ellar, said: “The Audit Letter confirms that Hounslow Council’s direction of travel is very good with strong performance in our major services and how we manage our money.

“The message from the Commission reinforces the Council’s delivery of high quality services to residents, and the commitment that, working in partnership with others, we will continue to provide the best possible value for money and services to our community.”

Key areas highlighted by the Audit Commission include:

• Hounslow has improved key priority services that matter to local people including education, social care for adults, and waste recycling;
• Community cohesion is a key priority for the Council and successful community outcomes have been achieved including focused work with minority groups, to increase benefit take up, and improved access to services;
• Working through strategic partnership has led to improvements for looked after children and a reduction in anti-social behaviour as well as helping to reduce crime levels, such as credit card fraud in town centres;
• The Council manages its finances effectively, has a good approach to value for money and its capacity to improve has been strengthened through clear efficiency savings and partnership working.
• The Council has appropriate governance arrangements which, coupled with its enhanced capacity, mean it is well placed to continue to improve the services it provides to local people.

February 9, 2006