Stockton Council celebrates ‘double top’ success

Apr 30 2008 by Sandy McKenzie, Evening Gazette

STOCKTON Council has passed two rigorous inspection tests with flying colours.

Inspectors say the council is performing strongly, has made a major contribution to the area’s revival and is “fiercely ambitious in its desire to better residents’ quality of life”.

Teams of inspectors visited the council late last year to examine a wide range of evidence gathered over many months.

Local government watchdog the Audit Commission led one inspection - the Corporate Assessment.

It examined how the council manages itself overall and ensures the quality of its services is high.

The other inspection was led by children’s services standards body Ofsted with other inspectorates, which carried out a Joint Area Review.

It scrutinised services for children and young people provided by all publicly-funded services including the council, NHS, law enforcement and voluntary and community sector.

After months of deliberation, both sets of inspectors agree that public services in Stockton are very good, and set to get better.

Stockton is one of only a handful of councils nationwide to merit an Excellent four-star rating in its Corporate Assessment – the highest possible level.

And the borough’s 48,200 children and young people enjoy local services that are good, and outstanding in some cases, says the report of the Joint Area Review.

Councillor Ken Lupton, leader of Stockton Council, said: “I’m delighted at the outcome of these inspections, more than anything because of what they mean for local people. They are the ones who benefit from excellent, value-for-money services.”

He said they also recognised the effectiveness of “partnerships such as Stockton Renaissance.”

Councillor Alex Cunningham, Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Services for young people have been a priority for this council. Children are our future and they have a right to feel safe, be treated equally and have the best of opportunities.”

The inspectors rated the council’s Youth Service as “good”, offering a good range of activities.