West Berkshire falls to worst in Berkshire

2.00.56pm GMT Fri 16th Dec 2005

Following the news that West Berkshire Council has fallen from its Audit Commission rating of "Good" to 2 out of 4 stars Cllr Jeff Brooks, Leader of the Opposition at West Berkshire Council, said "When the Liberal Democrats left office this Council and its services were rated "Good", under Conservative control we have now scored only half marks and received the worst rating in Berkshire; in the South East just two other Councils were rated as low as two stars."

At the Council's Executive meeting held last night the Liberal Democrat group Leader challenged the Conservatives on the falling score.

"I was surprised by the attitude of the Conservatives. We know that staff turnover has been increasing since we left office and they don't seem willing to accept that they need to get a grip on the Council. Leaving crucial positions vacant is no way to hit service delivery targets and this score reflects that as well as lowering morale," added Cllr Brooks.

Cllr Denise Gaines added "When the Liberal Democrats left office the Council was rated 4/4 for value for money on use of resources the Conservative Council is now branded by the Audit Commission as just 2 out of 4."

Appendix:

1. West Berkshire Council was rated 2 stars and improving well (2/3 of all councils were scored as "improving well" but unlike West Berkshire 2/3 of all Councils received 3 or 4 stars)

http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/

2. The Scores for other Berkshire Councils were

Wokingham Tory 3* Improving Well

Windsor & Maidenhead Lib Dem 3* Improving Well

Slough Ind/Con/LD 3* Improving Well

Reading Lab 3* Improving Adequately

Bracknell Con 3* Improving Well