Warwickshire News Mine

From 9 December 2009, a new website called Oneplace (http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/oneplace) will be the place to find comprehensive information on how our local public services are working together – and how well they are tackling problems in different areas of the county.

The website will contain the results of the county’s first ever Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA). Until now, public bodies in the Warwickshire were looked at and assessed separately. The CAA is a new way of assessing and reporting on public services in England.

Falling crime levels, good progress in schools, increasing recycling rates and good travel networks in Warwickshire are all praised by the report. But it also highlights that yet more needs to happen to ensure that all organisations in Warwickshire improve the success and well-being of people in the county.

So what does the report say? Warwickshire is doing well to make its communities safer, with crime levels falling in the county, and roads are safer than they were 10 years ago. Local partnerships are working together to support individuals and increase awareness and intolerance of domestic abuse.

The report says that Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service know they have to improve their fire prevention service and they also know that they have to change the way they work to improve the service as a whole.

There are improved exam results at schools and good progress is being made to lift schools out of special measures. Warwickshire has an excellent foster care service, with young people and their carers receiving good support.

Looking at the environment, the amount of rubbish recycled in Warwickshire is increasing faster than anywhere else in the country, and effective action has been taken to reduce the impacts of flooding, with flood defence work underway in some areas.

Warwickshire does well for accessibility, as road networks in and around the county are good and improvements continue to be planned and made. More people are using buses and cycling, and cycling schemes have been improved. Council services are easier to use in most areas, and many towns have one stop shops where you can get help with all services the councils provide.

Despite being hit hard by the recession, councils in Warwickshire have pulled together information and advice that will help people. Partners working across Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull have secured funds of over £22 million to help businesses and training for people becoming redundant.

The report says that partners in Warwickshire need to work better together to make sure people are as healthy as they can be. But it acknowledges that people in Warwickshire are generally healthy and live longer than in many other areas. Partners are also increasing the work they do to encourage everyone to exercise more, eat well and healthily.

More homes are needed in the county that are accessible and suitable for older people, but the report acknowledges that much work is underway to make sure housing is available to suit older people’s needs. It also says that Warwickshire’s councils are working hard to make sure that affordable homes are built, and are proving successful in this.

Cllr Alan Farnell, Chair of Warwickshire’s Public Service Board (PSB), said:

“I welcome this independent assessment of how well our public services are doing in Warwickshire to meet the needs of people. The report sets out in black and white where we are doing well and leading the way as a county - and also where there is room for improvement.

“I’m particularly pleased that this report highlights that crime levels are falling in Warwickshire, that good progress is being made in our schools, and that our recycling rates are growing faster than anywhere else in the country.

“The report also recognises that our Fire and Rescue Service needs to change to improve – and this need for change has been the catalyst for the recent public consultation. Our public service partners in Warwickshire also acknowledge that we need to work even better together to improve people’s well-being.”

Warwickshire County Council, the county’s borough and district councils, and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service have also been rated on their individual performance, and their assessment reports are also available to view on the Oneplace website.

Link to WCC