'One of the best' to go? (From Witney Gazette)

'One of the best' to go?

8:23am Monday 26th February 2007 in Witney By Reg Little

THE BATTLE to create three unitary councils in Oxfordshire took a new twist after Oxfordshire County Council was ranked as one of the best local authorities in England.

The county council would disappear if the Government backs Oxford City Council's bid for a major reorganisation of local government.

But with Communities Secretary, Ruth Kelly, expected to give an early indication of the Government's thinking next month, County Hall has been given valuable ammunition to bolster its case against change.

Following a recent inspection, the Audit Commission has decided that Oxfordshire County Council should be graded as a four-star, or 'excellent', council - the best rating available.

Conservative leader, David Cameron, led the praise for Oxfordshire County Council's timely new ranking.

The Witney MP said: "I am absolutely delighted that Oxfordshire County Council is an excellent authority, and now has its four stars.

"It's fantastic that leader Keith Mitchell and his team have been able to turn the council round so quickly. I congratulate them for their success and hard work." Mr Mitchell said the county council would make sure that Ms Kelly was fully aware of the county council's new ranking, which was in contrast to the city council's status as 'a weak council'.

Oxford City Council wants the Government to scrap the county council, replacing it with three new unitary councils - one for the city, one for north Oxfordshire, and one for south Oxfordshire.

Mr Mitchell, Tory leader of County Hall, said: "The Government will know about this excellent news. If you divide an excellent council into three, with a third of its responsibilities handed to a council rated as weak, what will be the result? That is the question that needs to be addressed quite soon.

"Four-star ratings are not awarded lightly by the Audit Commission. A council must prove that it provides consistent quality across all of its service areas and value for the money that residents pay in council tax.

"It confirms that people in the county are receiving some of the best services in England for their council tax. It is not a group of politicians and officers who have made this happen, but all the people who work for this council. It is a tribute to all of them."

The Audit Commission's report said that the county council has 'improved in its priority areas' and 'improved its overall value for money'.

It found children and young people's services had 'improved and performed well in most areas', and that Oxfordshire had 'good and improving school attendance and the achievement of its pupils is improving'.

In adult social care, services are said to have 'improved' and 'perform well in the majority of areas'. Performance in protecting the environment, transport and recycling is reported to be 'strong and improving'.

The council had previously been rated as a three-star 'good' authority - the second best rating available.

The Government will announce which unitary bids are still in the running by the end of March. Mr Mitchell added: "I am afraid it does not appear to be the most transparent of processes."

County Hall provides about 80 per cent of council services, including highways and transport, social care, education services, trading standards, libraries, the registration service and the fire and rescue service.

If the city's bid is successful, these services would be handed to the three unitary councils. The North Oxfordshire Council would be created by merging Cherwell and West Oxfordshire, while the new South Oxfordshire Council would bring together the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils.

West Oxfordshire is the only council that has written to Ruth Kelly to oppose the city's proposals.