Pembrokeshire ranked 2nd in Wales for local authority services

Pembrokeshire County Council has been ranked 2nd out of the 22 local authorities in Wales when it comes to providing local services, according to a report released today (Wednesday).

The report, ‘Local Government Performance 2015-16′, looks at a range of local authority services throughout the whole of Wales. It is based on data gathered by the Local Government Data Unit Wales.

Cllr Jamie Adams, Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, said he was delighted and thanked members of Council staff for their dedication to delivering high-quality services to local people.

“We are very proud of this report,” he said. “It shows that, despite the budgetary pressures on the Council and the significant savings we have had to make, we are continuing to deliver exceptional services – overall, the second best in Wales – to the people of Pembrokeshire.

“Our aim is to further improve this high level of service while continuing to be sensitive of the need to keep Council Tax as low as possible for hardworking local people.

“I am mindful that the public we represent rightly challenge members, particularly myself as Leader. I can now demonstrate that we are delivering outstanding value for money for our residents.”

The report looks at 40 indicators which are part of the Performance Improvement Framework for local authorities in Wales. The indicators reflect key priorities identified by the Welsh Government and local government in Wales.

Pembrokeshire County Council rated especially highly in safeguarding children, where it was ranked 1st in Wales in two of the indicators, and 2nd in another indicator.

Pembrokeshire scored very highly when it came to the education of children in care, who, following a significant improvement on last year’s result, achieved better results than any in other authority in Wales.

The County was also the 2nd highest authority in Wales when it came to recycling waste, 4th highest in Wales for visits to Council-run sports and leisure facilities, and 5th highest for roads in a high or acceptable level of cleanliness.

Cllr Adams said Pembrokeshire’s performance built on last year’s success, when it was rated the most improved local authority and 4th in terms of overall performance.

He continued: “I’d also like to pay tribute to the efforts of my members, in particular cabinet members. To achieve further improvement against the backdrop of having to save more than £25 million over the last two years is testament to the determination and focus that they have given in very challenging circumstances.”

• To view the data, go online at ‘MyLocalCouncil’ (www.mylocalcouncil.info)