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| The report is by watchdog the Audit Commission |
Staffordshire is getting safer, stronger, greener says report
A new wide-ranging report has concluded that Staffordshire is becoming a better and safer place to live.
It takes an in-depth look at many of the things affecting people's quality of life - including crime and anti-social behaviour, drink and drug abuse and public safety.
The report is produced by the official independent watchdog, the Audit Commission, and is called Delivering Safer, Stronger and Greener Communities.
It looks at a number of key areas and assesses the performance of Staffordshire County Council and partner organisations including the districts councils, police, health bodies and the fire authority. It concludes that Staffordshire has a "Good" two-star rating (out of three), with "promising" prospects for improvement.
John Taylor, Leader of Staffordshire County Council said: "This is an excellent report because it focuses on exactly the things that make people feel good or bad about the place where they live. That has a real impact on the quality of life of everyone in families and those who live alone."
The nine key areas looked at in the report are:
- Reducing crime
- Reassuring the public and reducing fear of crime
- Reducing the harm caused by illegal drugs
- Building respect and reducing anti-social behaviour
- Giving people more control over the services they receive
- Providing cleaner, greener and safer public spaces
- Improving quality of life for people in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods
- Improving services for victims of domestic violence and their families
- Making the roads safer
Cllr Taylor: "Delivering public services is a complex job that requires different organisations working together. This report is new in the way it looks at the job done by this partnership and not just at individual bodies.
"It shows that we have made really good progress by achieving over three-quarters of our goals. It also shows there are still areas where we need to improve, and that is what we shall now concentrate greater effort on.
"I am particularly pleased that the report notes that overall crime has reduced by 21 per cent. This is a real achievement and has been a team effort. Tackling crime is not just about policing, but creating neighbourhoods were people feel they can live comfortably and without fear and that needs all of our public services to play their part.
The report also concludes that people generally fear anti-social behaviour less and that local authorities are working better together."
Cllr Taylor added: "I feel that all the authorities covered by the report can move into 2009 with confidence that we are working well together and that greater efforts will provide even more promising results."
There are eight district councils in Staffordshire: Newcastle; Staffordshire Moorlands; East Staffordshire; Stafford; Lichfield; Cannock Chase; South Staffordshire and Tamworth. The report does not cover Stoke-on-Trent
A full copy of the report will be available on the Audit Commission website at:
www.audit-commission.gov.uk/ Page Last Modified:
04/02/2009 12:33:26
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