Council upset as appeal is rejected

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Thursday 15th Jul 2004.

North Wiltshire District Council leader Coun Ruth Coleman is bitterly disappointed that the council missed a "good" rating by just one point.

The district council appealed against its "fair" rating in a recent performance assessment following a thorough investigation of its working in the Ofsted-style comprehensive performance assessment.

But the assessors are sticking to their guns.

A spokesman for the council said: "Just one more point would have determined a good assessment."

The district council is confident it will move very quickly into the good category, said the spokesman.

This is given the improvements which have been made since the assessment which concentrated primarily on 2002/2003 performance.

The report recognises the district council's efforts to prepare for the future and makes reference to new offices, new management structures and service improvements that are already being made.

This recognition focuses on the clear plans of what needs to be done to continue to improve the district council as set out in its corporate business plan.

"As a result, North Wiltshire District Council received the highest possible score in the category of investment based on how we are moving forward," said the spokesman.

Coun Coleman said: "I am bitterly disappointed that we weren't awarded the extra point, especially because of all the hard work that the members and staff have made on improvements."

The full comprehensive performance assessment is embargoed by the Audit Commission until July 22.

It will be available on the district council website www.northwilts.gov.uk and also on the Audit Commission's website www.audit-commission.gov.uk.

Archive Home