Cheshire West & Chester Council on track to become one of the top 10 councils in the country

Dec 11 2009 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle

CREATED in barely nine months, the half billion pound Cheshire West and Chester Council, one of England's newest and largest unitary authorities, is on track to becoming one of the top 10 councils in the country in its first year. David Norbury reports.

Independent watchdog the Audit Commission has taken its first look at the new Conservative controlled council and believes it is heading in the right direction.

Unlike near neighbours Warrington and Wirral, West Cheshire has avoided being involved in any "red flags" for serious shortfalls in public services overall in a separate "Oneplace" assessment, although leaders in Warrington describe the outcome there as "a shambles".

"Since April 1, the council has made good progress, is developing and carrying out its plans, leadership is clear and visible and partners are engaged" according to the commission.

"The council is clear about the weaknesses it needs to address.

"It is committed to equality and diversity and has good plans in place to make sure that services are fair, equal and accessible to all residents. "

Chief executive Mr Steve Robinson, who arrived in Autumn 2008 from Stoke on Trent City Council to join Tory leader Cllr Mike Jones and his administration, is understandably pleased, pointing out the "encouraging" report reflects well on his staff's commitment and determination to succeed.

"I don't think we could have asked for a better report at this stage," said Mr Robinson.

"It has taken a lot of hard work and some very difficult decisions to progress".

He adds:"However, there is no complacency.

"We know where we want to be and that there is still some way to go before we can say to the West Cheshire public that we are completely happy with the services we provide. "

Cheshire West and Chester works well with others to support the local economy, says the watchdog.

The authority has responded effectively to the economic downturn in which it was created and has worked with local businesses to limit the number of people who are jobless because the recession.

The council is praised for its support for the local economy, work with local businesses to reduce the numbers of jobless and for the backing given to both the long term and newly unemployed.

It is committed to working with its partners, including police and fire and with local people to make the area safe and help communities feel safer.

Anti social behaviour is falling but local people still have concerns.

Levels of waste and recycling have improved and the council and its partners have successfully reduced CO2 emissions.

The new authority has inherited poor housing in parts of the borough and the cost of homes is unaffordable for many people wishing to live in its area, says the commission.

The council has attracted funding and has plans to build "significant numbers" of new affordable homes over the next seven years.

In Ellesmere Port, the waiting list for council houses has almost trebled and the council intends to introduce choice based lettings across the borough by March 2010 to provide choice and mobility.

The housing needs of an increasing older population are being planned for and support for homeless people has improved significantly.

A significant number of council houses in Ellesmere Port do not meet the standards of decency expected by the government and current plans will not bring about the required level of improvement.

Housing in Vale Royal has also not achieved the standard for all properties.

The new council is aware of the need to address "this long standing issue" and has started to deal with it.

Following an independent survey, a new management team is in place and is developing a robust action plan.

Ofsted has rated children’s' services in Cheshire West as performing well with services good and better than those in similar areas although there is some room for improvement.

Only a small number of childcare settings and one secondary school were below standard and judged to be inadequate at the last inspections.

"The council is effective in helping children and young people to stay safe, enjoy and achieve success," says the commission.

"Support is good for children and young people whose circumstances make them vulnerable.

"The pupil referral unit is outstanding and special schools, both day and residential, perform better than those in other parts of England".

"The council had made a good start in relation to adult services," says the report.

"It displays an effective and positive approach and has already made significant progress.

"It has started to review the needs of the area and to determine the shape and nature of the social care services that will be delivered.

"There is good evidence that effective working arrangements with partners have developed, including the NHS".

Some new developments and services are already being rolled out.

The commission says that overall, the council has started to develop a major transformation programme to deliver service improvements and value for money.

It concludes:"The council is clear about the weaknesses it needs to address.

"Not all partnership targets were achieved this year.

"Areas of focus for the council include people who feel they can influence decisions, young people not in education, employment or training, vulnerable people being helped to live independently, the numbers of homes provided and the condition of non-principal roads".

BLOB Commenting on the overall "Oneplace" assessment of West Cheshire, which involves the views of the Audit Commission, the Care Quality Commission, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, Prisons and Probation and Ofsted, Cllr Mike Jones, borough leader and chair of West Cheshire Together says:"West Cheshire is in great shape.

"We have received a generally positive report from the Oneplace assessment - receiving no red flags.

"This means we have identified the key issues for our borough and have robust plans in place to address them".

He added:"As a new partnership I am very pleased with how well all our partners have engaged in such a positive way.

"The result of this is a great achievement and means that we have got the building blocks in place to really make a positive difference in the areas that are important to the residents of West Cheshire."