Mark Garnier, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Wyre Forest, has today congratulated Cllr George Lord, Leader of Worcestershire County Council, for doing a terrific job and securing a four star rating for Worcestershire County Council. The four star rating was awarded by the Audit Commission and their report was published today.
Worcestershire was given four stars overall, but was also specifically commended for being one of only three county councils performing well above the minimum requirements for value for money.
Furthermore, Worcestershire was cited as performing well above minimum requirements for its use of resources, services for children and young people, and culture, receiving a four star rating for those services. And it received a three star rating for its corporate assessment, social care for adults and the environment.
Mark Garnier commented:
"It was Wyre Forest in the 2005 County Council elections that secured a Conservative administration for Worcestershire County Council. At that election, Wyre Forest returned five Conservative councillors out of a possible ten and in so doing gave the Conservative led council the mandate to run the county by just one county seat.
"And look what they have done with that mandate! This is a fantastic endorsement of Conservative successes.
"What is truly remarkable, though, is that they have achieved this despite chronic under funding from the Labour Government. George Lord and his team have a great deal to be proud of."
Conservative councils are leading the way in terms of improvement across the country. Five of the twelve strongest performing councils are Conservative compared with 4 Labour. Liberal Democrats, however, failed to feature in the top councils. Meanwhile, of the 90 improving councils, 32 are Conservative, 24 labour and just 6 are Liberal Democrat.
"On a sadder note," continued Mark Garnier, "I am sure Mike Oborski would have been delighted at the success of the County Council he was so proud to be a member of for so many years. He was a very strong voice for his division and his contribution over the years has been immense.