This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Praise for West Lothian Council's performance
30/06/2005
West Lothian Council's performance has been commended in
a Best Value Audit report by financial watchdog, Audit
Scotland.
Their culture of continuous improvement, partnership
working and openness is a beacon to other councils in
Scotland, Public Service Reform Minister Tom McCabe
said.
The report has commended the council in a number of
areas including:
- clear commitment to Best Value and Community
Planning
- effective leadership and strong culture of
continuous improvement
- focus on the needs of communities and delivery of
modern, integrated services through partnership
working
Congratulating West Lothian Council on their
performance, Mr McCabe said:
"The public sector in Scotland is not always very good
at taking credit for its successes. As in recent weeks, we
only tend to hear about things that go wrong, not when they
go right.
"West Lothian Council should rightly be proud of their
performance in this Best Value Audit. This is not empty
pride because they have done what I expect all councils to
do - they have not rested on their laurels but continually
and actively seek to improve the services they provide to
their customers.
"That pride should be felt throughout the council. It
has a strong and effective leadership but frontline staff
should also be proud of the service they are providing to
their customers.
"I believe the Council has focused on the issues that
matter to local people - working in partnership to provide
modern integrated services, tackling difficult economic
issues to ensure there are opportunities for local people
and taking into account the views of customers.
"Other councils in Scotland should perhaps look to the
example of West Lothian Council as they endeavour to
improve and modernise their services and drive up
standards."