Flood-hit councils will escape being unfairly marked down in the league tables, after local government minister John Healey vowed to use a ‘common sense' approach to inspection. Mr Healey claimed the Government and inspectorates would recognise the 'unusual strain' put on the councils hit by the disaster. The move is aimed at ensuring councils can focus on recovery, without worrying about taking their eye off the ball on improvement, and was set out in a statement of principles published this week. Mr Healey said councils had ‘responded magnificently' to the floods. ‘I am ensuring we take a common sense approach so we do not penalise authorities for temporary dips in performance resulting from the flooding.' But the minister said: ‘I want councils to be absolutely clear that we continue to maintain momentum on existing service improvement, so I will not simply change the targets as some have suggested.' The Audit Commission are working with Government to outline the approach they will take for flood affected areas.
