The services provided by Portsmouth city council have been praised, it has emerged.

In a report by the Audit Commission, those working for the public sector body were reported to be operating well with network partners on taking steps to reduce crime levels in the city.

Furthermore, Portsmouth council was highlighted for improving life expectancy, particularly among women, as well as keeping public spaces clean and having effective managerial leadership in place.

Linda Krywald, senior manager for the Audit Commission, claimed that the local authority "is ambitious for its communities and works effectively with partners and the community to address important issues".

She added that this is especially true of the council’’s "work on regeneration and its focus on developing local employment and skills".

The commission also reported that the public sector body engages well with its residents and looks to gain feedback from vulnerable parts of society.

In other news, Bath and North East Somerset council was recently praised by the Audit Commission for understanding of the needs of vulnerable parts of its community and improving waste management services.

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Those working for a public sector body in the West Midlands are performing well, it has been stated.

In the corporate assessment report released by the Audit Commission, Warwickshire county council was praised for the effective management structures it has in place, which in turn has seen improvements in services such as social care.

Furthermore, the local authority was recognised for having a good understanding of its residents” needs.

Mary-Anne Bruce, senior manager for the Audit Commission, said: "This corporate assessment report shows that the council is making progress in improving the quality of life for residents and is committed to reducing inequalities in the county."

It was also stated that the council’’s links with partners have seen it offer improved services for children and young people.

The report could be of interest to those seeking work in the public sector via a regional recruitment portal.

In September, the Audit Commission praised Lancashire county council for reducing levels of child poverty and improving waste management services.

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The Audit Commission has praised the services provided by Darlington borough council, it has been revealed.

In its report, the commission commended the north-east authority for offering value for money.

Furthermore, Darlington council was highlighted for its steps in reducing levels of crime and overall was said to be "performing well".

Philippa Corner, senior manager for the Audit Commission, reported that the council is "clearly focused on improving the quality of life for all residents while also tackling inequalities that exist across the borough".

Such news could be of interest to those searching for work in the public sector via a regional recruitment portal.

In addition, the local authority was said to be working effectively with network partners, making progress in economic development and providing good community leadership.

Meanwhile, the commission claimed that staff at the council feel motivated and have good training and development opportunities.

In June, the Audit Commission gave Wear Valley district council a rating of "excellent" in its comprehensive performance assessment.

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A local authority operating in Greater Manchester has received praise, it has been revealed.

Those working for Tameside metropolitan borough council were recently given the top rating by the Audit Commission, where in its corporate assessment report it gave the public sector body a score of four, something it also achieved in its previous assessment in 2003.

James Foster, senior manager for the Audit Commission, said: "Tameside council is performing strongly."

"The organisation understands and responds very well to the needs of its communities," he added.

Mr Foster also commended the council’’s operations with network partners in helping to improve local residents” quality of life.

In addition, the local authority was commended for providing a cost-effective service and taking steps to reduce crime rates.

Furthermore, the Audit Commission claimed that staff at Tameside council have the right skills in place in order to meet the organisation’’s targets.

Earlier this month, Devon-based Torridge district council was given a "good" rating by the Audit Commission, an improvement from the "poor" score it received in 2003.

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Harrogate borough council is offering its residents an increasingly better service, it has been reported.

Following a report by the Audit Commission, those working for the public sector body are now deemed to have made a number of improvements in the last four years, including increasing the number of affordable homes available and taking steps to tackle crime.

In addition, the authority was indicated as offering a cost-effective service and providing opportunities for local residents to have their say

As such, the council was given a rating of "good".

Michael Newbury, senior manager for the Audit Commission, said: "The council has systematically addressed a range of weaknesses identified in our previous assessment in 2004."

He added that the local authority is in "a good position" to achieve future improvements, in news that might interest those looking for work via a regional recruitment portal.

In related news, Bath and North East Somerset council was recently praised for taking steps to improve waste management services and understanding the requirements of vulnerable sections of the community.

More regional recruitment portal information.