"Improvement is too slow" say the Lib Dems (and the Audit Commission!)

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd May 2007

Cllr. Brian Hoare

80% of other councils are improving faster than Northamptonshire County Council. That is the verdict of the Audit Commission who's Annual Audit and Inspection Letter to Northamptonshire County Council.

In the letter the Council's "Direction of Travel" is shown as "Improving Adequately" and the Council remains a Two Star authority. (2 out of 4)

Brian Hoare, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Northamptonshire County Council said: "Improving adequately" is not good enough. This Conservative run council is being overtaken by other councils who are improving at a faster rate than Northants. In fact 4 out of 5 are improving faster and Northants is being left behind. After two years the Conservative Administration are not producing the results. They need to up their game."

The Audit Commission letter shows mixed results from the services. Last year the Audit Commission described the Council as "improving well", it is therefore very disappointing that the score has dropped for 2006. Northamptonshire has to continue to improve to reach the standard of adjoining local councils such as Lib Dem led Milton Keynes which has a three star "good" rating.