Council's joy at four-star rating (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Council's joy at four-star rating

9:49am Thursday 22nd February 2007 in News By Gazette Reporter

Wiltshire County Council is the only council in Wiltshire to receive the top star rating by the Audit Commission.

The authority improved upon its three star rating last year to be awarded the highest four star rating.

The Audit Commission's Comprehensive Performance Assessment, released today, said of the county council: "The council provides good value for money and has solid plans for further improvement."

Overall, the assessment found the county council was improving adequately. The council has had to save £7 million this year and has recently submitted a bid to set up one council for Wiltshire.

Councillor Jane Scott, leader of the Conservative controlled county council, said: "This is excellent news. Four stars is the equivalent of the former excellent' rating. This would not have happened without the hard work and commitment of all our staff during a difficult year."

The Audit Commission highlighted good services in a number of areas including household waste recycling and composting. The last year the county recycled 32 per cent of household waste.

Swindon Borough Council maintained its two star rating.