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Lambeth is London's worst-run borough
By Ross Lydall, Evening Standard Last updated at 10:41am on 22.02.07Look here too
Lambeth is the worst council in the capital, according to official ratings.
It is the only local authority in London - and one of only five in the country - to be given just one star in annual performance scores awarded by the Audit Commission.
Find out how your authority rated here
However, Lambeth's rating was dubbed "perverse" by the council's Labour leader Steve Reed, who said his borough's performance had only worsened in cultural services and had improved or stayed the same in all other areas.
The council - run by Labour after the joint Liberal Democrat and Tory administration was ousted in last year's local elections - is said to be "improving well" overall and providing good social care, environment and benefits services.
Mr Reed said: "The star ratings don't give a full picture. If you read the narrative, Lambeth, according to the Audit Commission, is improving in three quarters of all services. It would be wrong to say Lambeth is the worst-performing authority."
However, Lib-Dem opposition leader Ashley Lumsden said: "When we took control in 2002 it was a zero-rated authority. We raised it to two stars over the next four years but after a year of Labour they have lost one of them.
"The council is slashing services, particularly for older and vulnerable people, in its budget and is losing a lot of its reputation locally."
Mr Lumsden added that Labour proposed to increase council tax bills by 4.99 per cent, a fraction under the maximum five per cent permitted by the Government.
"People will be paying the highest increase in London but getting the worst council services," he said.
Five boroughs - Camden, the City of London Corporation, Kensington & Chelsea, Wandsworth and Westminster - are among the 10 elite authorities in the country to get the maximum four stars and be classed as "improving strongly". This is an improvement on last year, when only Wandsworth and Kensington & Chelsea achieved maximum scores.
Bexley and Sutton also received four stars this year but they are only "improving well". Bromley scored the maximum but its improvement rating is under review.
Havering and Waltham Forest are among the fastest-improving councils, having both gained two stars to secure a three-star rating this year.
Redbridge, Hackney, Bromley and Barking & Dagenham each gained one star. A year ago, Waltham Forest - one of the five Olympic boroughs - was London's worst performer.
Labour leader Clyde Loakes said: "We have focused on services that matter most to residents - cleaning our streets, better recycling, better education and care for the elderly."
Three London councils - Richmond, Wandsworth and Westminster - were given top marks for value for money and, for the third year in a row, no borough in the capital suffered the embarrassment of failing to achieve a single star.
The ratings - known as the comprehensive performance assessment - are based on inspections by the Audit Commission, education watchdog Ofsted, the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. Almost 80 per cent of the 149 authorities assessed fell into the top two categories.
Reader views (7)
The problem with Lambeth is the same problem as with every local authority; it is all about politics and not about people.
- Andrea P, London UK
Somebody mentions Hammersmith and Fulham cutting their council tax by 3%. A miracle? No. They've cut street cleaning by £1m, put meals on wheels prices up by 24%, hiking up parking fines and closing a primary/junior school. Hurlingham and Chelsea school is to be closed down shortly. The Town Hall, which struggled to serve local residents demands before, has seen staff numbers slashed. So yes, you can cut council tax - but there is a cost involved. Normally to the poorest and most vulnerable in the community. Is this what "efficiency" means?
- Tony Mcmahon, London
One of New Labour's promises, before they came to power, was to replace the concrete council housing estates of London with good accomodation. They didn't do it.
Obviously, there are nice places to live in Lambeth as there are everywhere else. However, when I drive through the concrete housing estates I am always reminded of that New Labour lie.
- Toby Mercer, London, UK
Born and bred in Lambeth, I have to say that it is pretty shoddy in this area. However, that doesn't take away from the excellent nightlife I have been used to and the local entertainment in pubs. I know of far worse areas to be in and there are many of them in London. I think we should stop pointing the finger and pull our fingers out to help certain areas, collectively, to strive foe the best for that particular area. How else will they get better?
- Machinimist, Lambeth
Hammersmith & Fulham council have this year dropped their council tax by 3%! If they can do it then surely it proves that everyone can do it! All we need are for people who really want to do the job and do it well to be elected into office. Lambeth is a fine example of Donkeys being led by Donkeys.
- Stephen K, Hammersmith
Having lived in Lambeth for a short while I think that it is unfair that Lambeth being given this label. It isn't the best place in the world to live but if maybe if the council took the time to speak to the people who live there and find out what changes really need to be made, then the ball will be set in motion towards a better Lambeth.
- Sylvia, Peckham
I've lived in Lambeth all my life and I don't think Lambeth is as bad as it's being portrayed. Yes there have been some difficulties and still are some with regards to the councils management of the borough. But this is nothing little hard work and dedication from the council chiefs won't be able to fix.
- Tanya, Lambeth
