Middlesbrough council has been rated a four star authority by the Audit Commission, despite the tests becoming increasingly harder each year.

Each year the Audit Commission looks at services provided by the council and pulls together the results of various assessments covering areas as wide ranging as recycling and school Ofsted results.

The information is put together to provide an assessment of the council as a whole, ranging from zero to four stars. Middlesbrough has achieved four star status, putting it in the group of best performing local authorities.

Authorities are also given a Direction of Travel statement which indicates how well the council is working to improve its services. This year the wording of that statement is under review.

A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said: "The Audit Commission, in its direction of travel statement, has said the Middlesbrough Council is 'improving well'. The council believes that it is improving strongly and the Audit Commission is still considering whether to make this change.
The council is constantly striving to provide the best services and the best value for money possible. We are delighted that the Audit Commission has recognised that. We are proud to be a 4* Council, recognising how hard we are working on behalf of the people of Middlesbrough."

Contact us

For information on the Council's performance, priorities and future plans see the items in the 'in this section' box below, call 01642 729559 or email kathryn_stokes@middlesbrough.gov.uk.