Liverpool City Council has been named and shamed by the Audit Commission as the worst financially-managed local authority in England. The commission's summary of use of resources scores for 2007 found that overall, councils were continuing to improve how they managed their finances (click here to read story). Cambridge City Council was named in the summary as the best financially-managed local authority in England, while Liverpool was the worst. Bedford BC was named leader in the best value-for-money section, while Berwick-on-Tweed topped the worst value-for-money list. Liverpool City Council's executive member for resources, Cllr Keith Turner, said: ‘While this rating is disappointing, it is a result of the Audit Commission's policy for councils to put more money into reserves, rather than spending it on frontline services. ‘The priority for Liverpool, endorsed by residents for the past decade, is to keep council tax rises to an affordable level, and at the same time, improve services. We have the best record on keeping council tax down, and our schools, services for the disabled, elderly and vulnerable have been transformed.' The commission's survey found that 70% of councils were now performing consistently above, or well above, minimum requirements – an increase of 5% from 2006. The number of top-performing councils scoring four stars rose from 22 in 2006 to 40 in 2007. ‘This report is a ringing endorsement of the efforts councils have made to provide an ever-better deal for the taxpayer,' said LGA chairman, Sir Simon Milton. ‘Local authorities are not just getting their houses in order – they are championing the cause of local residents, responding to their needs and are now delivering improved services.'
