Performance

Since 1 April 2009 the Council has made good progress in developing and carrying out plans. Leadership is clear and visible and partners are engaged. The Council is clear about the weaknesses it needs to address. It is committed to equality and diversity and has good plans in place to make sure that services are fair, equal and accessible to all residents.

The Council works well with partners to support the local economy and has responded effectively to the economic downturn. It works with local businesses to limit the number of people who are out of work because of the recession.

The Council is committed to working with partners – including police and fire - and local people to make the area safe and help communities feel safer. Anti-social behaviour is reducing but local people still have concerns.

The Council is improving levels of waste and recycling. The Council and partners have successfully reduced CO2 emissions by installing cavity wall insulation, providing incentives for renewable energy in homes and planning policies to encourage sustainability.

The Council inherited poor housing condition in parts of the area and the cost of homes is unaffordable for many people wishing to live in the area. Housing needs for an increasing older population are being planned for and support for homeless people has improved significantly.

Ofsted have rated children services in Cheshire West as performing well. Most inspected and regulated services are as good or better as those in similar areas. Only a small number of settings in childcare and one secondary school were below standard and judged to be inadequate at the last inspections.

The Council has made a good start in relation to adults' services. It displays an effective and positive approach and has already made significant progress. It has started to review the needs of the area and determine the shape and nature of the social care services that will be delivered. There is good evidence that effective working arrangements with partners have developed, including the NHS. Some new developments and services have got beyond piloting and into the roll-out stage.

For further information, please visit the Performance section in Cheshire West and Chester Council’s website or the OnePlace website