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In the past six months, since starting at Westminster City Council, Nick Bell has discovered the secret behind his authority's ongoing success... There is no covert plan. Just prudent financial management and a tradition of securing excellent value for money for the benefit of one million residents, commuters and tourists who reside in or visit the London borough every day. Westminster was recently named by the Audit Commission as one of the top 16 upper-tier local authorities in the country to be awarded the maximum possible overall score of four, in its 2006 CPA ‘use of resources assessment'. The judgement is carried out annually at all councils, and forms part of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment framework. It is also a key element of overall CPA performance scores for each upper-tier authority, which will be published on 22 February. The five themes of the assessment are financial reporting, financial management, financial standing, internal control, and value for money. Westminster and Wandsworth – which, co-incidentally, have in recent years, levied the lowest Band D council taxes in England – were the only two London councils to be awarded the maximum value for money score. The other four authorities being East Riding of Yorkshire unitary authority and, Shropshire, Kent and Worcestershire County Councils. In addition, Westminster was one of only three boroughs in London (Wandsworth and the Corporation of London being the others) which has been awarded the maximum score for financial management. Taken together, this external recognition demonstrates that financial prudence and a commitment to delivering the lowest-possible level of taxation for local residents is not incompatible with the provision of high-performing services. Looking at the position nationally, the assessment is a clear endorsement of the determination by councils across the country to give an ever-better deal for the taxpayer, while striving to improve services across the board. Three-quarters of single-tier and county councils exceeded the commission's minimum requirements for their use of resources overall, and all met the minimum requirements. While Westminster recognises it has a strong track record of financial management, we are not resting on our laurels, and continue to pursue further efficiency savings to ensure that resources are released to frontline services. The council has budgeted to deliver more than £56m of savings over the next three years through innovative initiatives such as the Worksmart programme. In addition, our ambitious One City programme, based around the themes of a tolerant city, active citizenship, neighbourhoods and enhanced customer focus, will make Westminster a world leader in urban management. Local government generally is also well ahead of central government in delivering efficiency gains – amounting to £2.6m every day – which enable additional resources to be released to frontline services. Indeed, local authorities are on course to meet the Chancellor's effficiency target one year early. With publication of the Lyons review expected in March, the latest comprehensive spending review in July, and the three-year schools and local government finance settlements towards the end of the year, directors of finance face significant challenges and opportunities over the next 12 months. We will need to deliver greater value for money and make better use of the public's taxes, while at the same time, secure a financial environment in which local authorities are able to create attractive, vibrant, prosperous, safe and friendly places where people are proud to live. Westminster, in common with other four-star councils, has trailblazed with innovation and transformation. We simply need to be given the tools and freedoms by central government to secure and build on these successes in future. Nick Bell is director of finance and resources at Westminster City Council

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WHITEHALL

Prudence pays off for Westminster

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