Tory county council marked down again by inspectors

9.28.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 28th Jun 2009

A report by the Audit Commission, the financial watchdog for local authorities, has reduced the Tory-run County Council's scores this year. Use of Resources, one of the most important judgements on the council, fell to 2 out of 4.

Within this, Financial Reporting fell two ratings, to the lowest possible rating 1, which is 'inadequate'. Financial Management also fell one place to a rating of 2, which is barely achieving minimum standards.

This is hardly surprising after the Tory administration invested an extra £10m in Icelandic banks against their own investment rules.

Commenting on this, Malcolm Cowan, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Handside and Peartree and Opposition spokesperson on Resources said:

'During the election the Tories crowed about how wonderful they were at running the County Council, while we insisted that this was not the case.  Now we have the independent Audit Commission agreeing with us that standards have fallen between 2007 and 2008.

I am appalled at how yet more bad news about the county council - following on from the devastating assessments of Children's Services a couple of years back, Youth Services and the Supporting people inspection - is being kept from people. No Press Release is issued, unlike when they get some good news.  Why on earth do they attempt to keep this important news away from the public by not informing the local press?'

Cllr Allan Witherick, member of the Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet said: 'Latest estimates show that up to half the council taxpayers' money invested in Iceland may be lost. Elsewhere we find that the council is having to investigate whether it was still paying for care for people who had passed away and why it overpaid staff over £1m last year. No wonder the Tories keep forcing the Council Tax up faster than inflation so that Council Tax payers bail out their mistakes.'

For further information, contact Malcolm Cowan on 01707-324723 or Allan Witherick on 01727 730838