22 February 2007
City of London Corporation keeps top-grade CPA assessment - but
warns it does not fit national system
- Top ("4 star") status for overall performance retained.
- Speed and direction of improvement assessed as of 4 out of 4
("improving strongly") – up from 3 ("improving well").
- Warning of difficult ‘fit’ with one-size-fits-all
system.
Today’s (Thursday) announcement by the Audit Commission that the
City of London Corporation has again won a place in the highest
category for local government was welcomed as an endorsement for
the way it serves the City, the world's leading international
financial and business centre.
Speaking after the "Comprehensive Performance Assessment"
awarded the City of London Corporation 4 stars and a top-grade
"improving strongly" Michael Snyder, Chairman of the Policy and
Resources Committee, said:
" We are not a typical local service provider – indeed our range
and geographical spread of services is unique – so much of what we
do does not fit comfortably with a national CPA system.
"To achieve high marks under these circumstances is a great
result, particularly for our staff who strive daily for
excellence."
Mr Snyder said he did not rule out that the "business authority
for a business district" might lose marks in future because it did
not fit assessment systems designed for resident-focused
authorities. The City only has 9,000 residents – and some 340,000
workers.
Chris Duffield, Town Clerk and Chief Executive of the City of
London Corporation, said: "Elected Members and staff are united in
their efforts to do more within the available resources. This
top-grade result is a welcome recognition of the quality services
we provide and the improvements we are striving to achieve ."
Ends
Contact Greg Williams, 020 7332 1455, 07889 167 205
For more information on the assessment visit
www.audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa
City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is committed to maintaining and
enhancing the status of the wealth and tax-generating business of
the City as the world's leading international financial and
business centre through its policies and services. Examples are the
extensive overseas business missions headed by the Lord Mayor on
behalf of UK-based financial services and the wide-ranging economic
development, research and regeneration effort the City of London
Corporation undertakes across London. It also runs the City Office
in Brussels on behalf of the City and City Representations in
Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai – and a City Office in Mumbai.
Although the City of London Corporation provides local government
services for the City, the financial and commercial heart of
Britain, its responsibilities also extend far beyond the City
boundaries and include management of the Barbican Centre, Central
Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath,
three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port
Health Authority – and running the Animal Reception Centre at
Heathrow.