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Council is still rated as ‘weak’

Jamie Whitehouse
15/12/2004

OLDHAM Council is still among the worst 20 per cent of local authority's in the country after receiving another 'weak' rating.

However, Civic Centre bosses have been boosted by news the town has a top rated education department and is showing real signs of improvement.

The council's position was revealed as the Audit Commission today (Wednesday) published the findings of local authority inspections, Comprehensive Performance Assessments, from across the country.

Unofficially the council has been recognised as moving to a "fair" score and the CPA found there was evidence of progress in all areas examined. But until Social Services regain their star rating the council will not be able to improve its overall position.

The report said: "The council is now held back by a rule on social services - they would be fair otherwise."

Other areas where the council has made changes - and strides forward - were its work with partner organisations and the clear ambition for the borough, including community cohesion initiatives and the Oldham Beyond vision.

The scores also show the local education authority has become a three star service for the first time, putting the department in the top 25 per cent in the country.

Chief executive Andrew Kilburn said the council had faced a number of inspections this year, and had come out very well.

He pledged services for Oldhamers were getting better and people could look to the future with optimism.

And he added improvements to social services, which had suffered funding problems in the past, would be made and it would be priority area for money.

Mr Kilburn said the 250 job cuts planned due to a shortfall in the budget would not affect quality.

Council Leader, Cllr David Jones said he was pleased by the results so far. He added: "We know there is rapid progress taking place but it is very encouraging to have our efforts recognised by the Audit Commission.

"We are striving to become an excellent council and although there is much more to do, this is a real milestone along the way."

His Lib Dem counterpart, Cllr Howard Sykes, echoed his words, adding it built on foundations already put in place.