Otley & Yeadon Councillor praises 4-Star Council (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Otley & Yeadon Councillor praises 4-Star Council

January 12, 2006 12:00 AM

Speaking at yesterday's Full meeting of Leeds City Council, Cllr Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) highlighted the fact that the Audit Commission awarded the City Council top marks in its recent assessment of local authority performance. Leeds was one of only two 'Core Cities' in the country (the other being Sheffield) to achieve the maximum 4 stars. Cllr Downes pointed out however that interference from Central Government in the form of excessive monitoring actually hinders the Council, rather than improving performance.

Cllr Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said "I made a speech at yesterday's Full Council meeting thanking the employees of Leeds City Council for their hard work which have led to Leeds City Council receiving such a high rating. It really is a reflection of the tremendous effort from Council staff towards achieving the objectives set by the Liberal Democrat, Tory and Green administration since we took over the running of the Council 18 months ago."

"The Audit Commission highlighted the progress the Council has made to tackle exclusion and child poverty in Leeds, and the positive impact it's having in areas such as reducing the fear of crime. As part of our ongoing commitment to 'Narrow the Gap' between the wealthy and those less well-off, we have put more money into frontline services to benefit the taxpayers in areas such as Otley & Yeadon, who are finally seeing an end to the chronic underspending in their area by the previous Labour administration. Road repairs are finally being addressed as are Otley & Yeadon town centres and the parks in our ward."

"It's good to see that we are receiving national recognition for our achievements in these areas. However, as I said in the Council Chamber, we could be achieving even more if the Government left us to get on with the job. It really is a waste of Leeds taxpayers money for the Council to have to spend so much time filling in forms for assessments like this. We'd all much rather that officers be allowed to get on with providing services to local residents."

The views in this Press Release are those of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and not necessarily those of Leeds City Council, its Officers or of the Liberal Democrat Party.