"Tories continue to drag council down" - Lib Dems

12.00.00am GMT Thu 1st Mar 2007

West Berkshire Council has slid from a 4/4 rating to a poor 2/4 rating under the Tories

West Berkshire Council's Liberal Democrat Group has expressed disappointment on the council's latest Comprehensive Performance Assessment scores (CPA), which were published last week, and lambasted the Tory administration's continuing poor financial management.

Shadow Finance Spokesperson Councillor Denise Gaines outlined the background to the current situation:

"Under Lib Dem control West Berkshire Council moved from "Fair" to a "Good" rating from the Audit Commission. When the Tories took over, the council slid right back down the scale and has only just clawed its way to "Improving well" status - this is not good enough. Frankly this administration has ruined a four star authority."

Appalled by the Tories' claim to do 'more with less', Councillor Gaines highlighted her concerns over the poor rating given to the council for "Financial Reporting" and "Financial Management":

"On leaving control we secured the Council top marks (4/4) from the Audit Commission for value for money "use of resources" rating and (4/4) for "overall service performance". Neither of these excellent grades has been maintained by the Tories who have dragged this council down to only 2/4 for financial reporting - I am appalled that their incompetence and sheer laziness has destroyed the years of hard work we put in to earn our well-deserved top marks."