Cherwell district council is providing a "fair" planning service, a new report has claimed.

In an independent study by the Audit Commission, the public sector body was awarded one star.

According to the commission, the local authority is providing good levels of customer care and guidance for applicants, news that could be of interest to people seeking planning jobs and those looking to make use of a regional recruitment portal to attract such candidates.

Maria Grindley, senior manager for the Audit Commission, said: "The service has responded effectively to the twin challenges of preparing a new local development framework and reducing delays on planning applications."

However, Ms Grindley warned that the public sector body must develop "clear plans" to help it in its future development.

"Its current work on costs and value for money will help it to do this," she added.

Earlier this month, the Audit Commission reported that Leicester council’s Supporting People scheme is improving services to vulnerable people.

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