Council budget work is praised

From the Echo, first published Tuesday 21st Oct 2003.

A NEW report has praised Weymouth and Portland Borough Council for progress in fighting its financial crisis but also ordered it to decide its priorities.

The independent Peer Challenge appraisal highlighted the authority's committed staff, improved services, regeneration projects and inroads into its budget problems.

But the document also recommended that the council decided its financial priorities, improved its communications and image with the public and invested in training for staff and councillors.

The Solace Enterprises' report was released after a trio of officers inspected the council and conducted interviews earlier this year as part of a government comprehensive performance assessment scheme to improve services.

Councillor Anne Thomas, spokesman for the council's continuing development and improvement initiative, said: "We welcome Solace's independent report and are pleased to see it recognises our many achievements as a council.

"We are a small council, but by investing the borough's resources wisely and by working well with partner organisations we have made great progress in improving the quality of life for people.

"We have also made progress in improving services and the way we work as a council."

Former leaders of Kettering Borough Council and Rushmoor Borough Council in Hampshire visited Weymouth and Portland with Ken Lloyd from the inspection organisers Solace Enterprises.

Council chief executive Tom Grainger said: "I welcome the report and its findings, in particular the recognition of the commitment of the staff.

"Councillors and officers will now work together to see how best to take forward the report's findings and ensure that the council and its services continue to improve."

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