County council is highest performing in Wales

Denbighshire County Council is the highest performing council in Wales, according to the latest figures from the Welsh Government.

Each year, the Welsh Government measures the performance of each council in Wales using a series of Performance Indicators covering a wide range of service areas.

For 2011-12, the figures show that Denbighshire performed in the top quarter of authorities in Wales for two-thirds of these Performance Indicators, more than any other council in Wales.   

Some highlights include:

· Best in Wales for preventing homelessness.

· Best in Wales for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in our public buildings.

· 2^ndbest in Wales for recycling rates.

· 3^rdbest in Wales for delivering adaptations via Disabled Facilities Grants.

· 3^rdbest in Wales for helping to bring empty homes back into use.

· 4^thbest for average point score for pupils aged 15 or 16.

The position of Denbighshire as the highest performance in Wales is even more impressive given a report published today by the Local Government Data Unit which shows a general improvement in the performance of councils in Wales last year.

Denbighshire’s Leader, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: "The generally improving picture in Denbighshire is the result of the hard work of Members and officers in providing value for money services for the people of Denbighshire.

“We recognise however, there is room for improvement in some aspects of our work, and we will continue to be vigilant to ensure we see improvements in these areas as well.”

Councillor Barbara Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Modernising and Performance, added: “This is excellent news for Denbighshire and I am proud to see the authority continuing its upward trend, which is testament to the work of officers and members in bringing the authority forward.”