Stars Spinning Over Lambeth

10.10.00am GMT Thu 7th Feb 2008

How many stars? It changes every year. But residents say things are getting worse.

News of the latest Comprehensive Performance Assessment has left Lambeth in a spin after the Audit Commission awarded the third different rating in three years. But Lambeth Council's own survey has residents slating the council for poor services.

In 2006 Lambeth was rated at 2 stars and then it was docked a star last year. But this year they've changed their minds again and gone for three stars. Last year, with one star, Lambeth was rated the worst council in London and one of only five local authorities in the whole country with just one star. Wild changes in assessment such as this make the whole process meaningless and bring the rating system into disrepute.

"The Audit Commission must be seeing stars when it comes to Lambeth!" said Lib Dem Opposition Leader Cllr Ashley Lumsden.

"We usually accuse Labour of spinning the truth but this time it has to be the Audit Commission who are in a spin. Local people won't have any confidence in such wildly swinging judgements. I believe residents have already given their verdict on Lambeth Council."

Figures collected by Lambeth Council itself reveal a grimly predictable picture. A report just published by the council shows that a majority of residents believe Lambeth Council:

• Provides worse value for money than a year ago

• Has too high a level of Council Tax relative to other Councils

• Provides poor value for money for the Council Tax that they pay

• Doesn't provide enough information

• Demonstrates poor financial management

The biggest drop was shown under the statement "Lambeth council provides better value for money compared to a year ago ". Nearly 10% fewer people interviewed agreed with this statement - down from 29% to 20%. And the worst rated statement was in respect of " Lambeth council demonstrates good financial management" where only 17% of Lambeth residents agreed with that.

"However many stars the auditors award, it is residents' views that matter most. And their message is clear: Lambeth under Labour has a high council tax but delivers poor services," added Cllr Lumsden.