Westminster council has received praise today for its recent performance, with assessors recognising its efforts to address the needs of the whole community and of individual neighbourhoods.

A report published this morning by the Audit Commission gives the council an ‘excellent’ rating for its comprehensive performance assessment, while the corporate assessment team found "clear and challenging" ambitions for the city.

Les Kidner, Audit Commission relationship manager, said: "Westminster is performing strongly. The council has made real improvements for the quality of life of its residents.

"Crime is reducing. The streets are kept at a high level of cleanliness. The health of the community is improving. People are being helped into employment. Educational attainment is improving. These are all areas of key importance for the community."

Aside from getting people into jobs, making use of talent pools and otherwise improving their quality of life, the council has been praised for "highly effective" internal and external communications.

In separate reports, the Audit Commission found that Hampshire county council and Hertfordshire county council are also both performing well.

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