Little real progress at Northampton Borough Council

6.08.45pm GMT Thu 15th Feb 2007

Northampton Borough Council has made little real progress according to the Audit Commission

Cllr Tony Woods, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Northampton Borough Council has responded to the Audit Commission's CPA progress report, saying: "The contents of the report come as no surprise - not least because they have been widely leaked. It has been blatantly obvious to everybody that Northampton Borough Council has been failing for years. Services such as planning, housing, and benefits were virtual basket cases - though hard work by staff in these areas is, I believe, beginning to show some improvements. The recent financial crisis proves that basic financial and managerial controls are still inadequate.

"Cllr Hadland, the Tory Leader of the Council, admits a massive turnaround needed. Again, this is stating the obvious. It's a shame it's taken him and his Tory administration fully 3 years to realise it. He should have taken action much earlier.

"It is no surprise that The Audit Commission state in the report that 'the administration has failed to provide clear political direction' (para. 6) - they are right - Northampton desperately needs clear and effective leadership.

"The Chief Executive and her team have tried hard to put in place many of the changes needed to improve these services. Unfortunately it seems likely that she will be the scapegoat for the Tory administration's inaction and total lack of leadership.

"The Audit Commission themselves must accept some blame for the slow progress. They and other government agencies have contributed to the Council's problems by their obsessive measurement and inspection. The Council has had 19 separate inspections and audits in 2006 alone. The Audit Commission claim to be independent and dedicated to improving public services but they act like a biased football referee who disallows a perfectly good goal then awards our opponents a penalty or, perhaps, a boxing referee who kicks a boxer while he is down and while counting him out.

"The people of Northampton have the opportunity to throw the Conservative administration out at the Council elections in May. Sadly, it is much more difficult to get rid of the Audit Commission and their continuous, destructive meddling."