PR 3319
COUNTY COUNCIL IS SEEING STARS - FOUR OF THEM
Hampshire County Council remains in the top group for performance when compared to other county councils, both in terms of residents satisfaction and Audit Commission ratings.
In its annual refresh the Audit Commission has awarded the County Council its top rating of four stars. This is the fifth consecutive year that Hampshire has been in the top performing quartile of county councils and unitary authorities and the County Council was also judged as improving well.
In its report the Audit Commission stated that "The Council has effective plans, clear priorities and good capacity to deliver further improvement." The Audit Commission also commented that there had been improved performance in the majority of its priority areas relative to other councils, including services already assessed as good:
HAMPSHIRE SAFER AND MORE SECURE FOR ALL: The Council uses accredited community support officers effectively and anti-social behaviour and vandalism has reduced. The number of road casualties has fallen
MAXIMISING WELL BEING: The Council has improved its social care for adults and children. Despite increased costs involved in residential and nursing care, the Council has increased its nursing care places and helped more people live independently at home. Increasing numbers of people are using libraries and museums.
ENHANCIING QUALITY OF PLACE: Performance in waste management, recycling and planning is good and improving. The Council is addressing key public concerns of traffic congestion.
Hampshire Residents' satisfaction with Hampshire County Council remains high- placing Hampshire joint fourth in the country when compared with other county councils with a satisfaction rating of 54%. About 80% of Hampshire residents regarded the county as a good place to live. The results come from the Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) survey that all councils have to conduct every three years using independent research companies.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "This is testament to the dedicated work of council staff and to working with, and understanding the needs of, the communities we serve. We will be continuing to work hard to provide the people of Hampshire with the best possible services.
"We will now focus on the challenges ahead - to stay a Four Star rated authority is a challenge in itself with pressures caused by an ageing and growing population, increasing demand for care, increasing stress on environment, housing, transport and waste disposal. And this against a background of decreasing resources, extra duties, regulations and assessments. The County Council achieved top marks for the way it is run in the corporate assessment element of the inspection and this puts us in a strong position to maintain high quality services and value for money for our residents.
"The County Council places great importance on research with residents, which it uses to inform its priorities and service provision. We have scored well in the BVPI survey compared to other county councils and I am delighted that Hampshire remains one of the top performing councils in the country."
ENDS
Notes for editors
All Councils are required by Government to conduct consultation to assess Residents' satisfaction levels with their local authority, where they live, and service delivery. Known as the BVPI Survey this is undertaken every three years. The way the research was conducted in 2006 had to be within the strict guidelines laid down by central government. The methodology used this year was a postal questionnaire, in previous years Hampshire has conducted Face to Face interviews to collect this data.
The top resident satisfaction BVPI survey rating for a county council was 57% and the bottom 43%.
Looking after Hampshire, looking out for you
For media enquiries please contact:
Kirsty Gunner, Press Officer
Tel: 01962 847110
Email: kirsty.gunner@hants.gov.uk
22 February 2007