CHESHIRE West and Chester Adult Social Care is consistently delivering services above the minimum required for its 11,000 service users.

This is the positive verdict of Government watchdogs, Care Quality Commission (CQC), following its first performance assessment of the new authority’s services for 2009-10.

Overall, the commission has ranked the borough’s Adult Social Care as performing ‘well’ and praised the authority’s policy to involve clients and carers in the creation of the services they receive.

The QCC report concludes: “During its first year the council has shown a commitment to transforming adult social care to improve outcomes for its citizens.

“One of its priorities has been ensuring that all stakeholders – including people who use services and their carers – are involved with, and consulted on, the council’s vision for the future.”

The commission reports that the council’s safeguarding service is developing well and “good progress has been made in ensuring that safeguarding is everyone’s business”.

Councillor Brenda Dowding, executive member Adult Social Care and Health, said: “This is a very good first result and a tremendous tribute to our staff who have coped so well with change in the wake of Local Government Reorganisation.

“We have made some real progress in creating a firm platform for the future from which to deliver the quality of care and services our residents deserve.

“While we are not yet sure of the level of next year's budget, there are likely to be some challenging times ahead with some real cost pressures facing the council.”