Our aim at Devon County Council is to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives in our beautiful county. With this in mind we launched a new Strategic Plan in 2006 which introduced our commitment to achieving these standards of service over the next five years.
One year on I am delighted to introduce our first Annual Report. This combines our annual report of achievements, our performance and statement of accounts for 2006. We would normally produce these documents separately, but now in line with our aim to make Devon greener, we have combined these as one document, reducing the cost of production and also the cost to the environment of producing three different documents.
I am very proud of the contents of this report which illustrate why independent watchdogs, the Audit Commission, say Devon County Council is 'performing well' against the new harder test and improving in its national rankings.
The inspectors say the County Council's "key services are improving" and note that "two thirds of the Council's performance indicators have improved, placing it amongst the top performing councils."
Inspectors highlighted our environment and social care services for particular praise saying: "The Council has reduced the volume of waste collected and increased recycling rates and partnership working has improved services for older people."
They also mention our work to cut congestion and pollution by praising the work of the County Council in "successfully promoting alternatives to the car and achieving a 'Transport Centre of Excellence' award."
We continue to have an excellent record for our financial management, keeping the County Council’s budget in the black for a record 15 years in a row.
There is more we can do and we will work hard to improve those areas identified by Inspectors as performing less well and will provide you with a better service. We will ensure our plans for the next few years address our weaknesses as well as build on our strengths; these have been outlined in the plans sections of this Annual Report.
This first Devon County Council Annual Report will give you a good indication of how we are performing, is a firm foundation for our future plans and a testimony to the skill and dedication of our staff and Councillors who work with communities throughout Devon and together make a great team.
Brian Greenslade
Leader of Devon County Council
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