Annual Report 07/08: Foreword

Looking back over the financial year 2007/8 it is staggering to think what we have achieved.   Some of the things we set out to do were to:

• ensure the Council would leave Engagement with the Government
• be judged to be at least Fair in the Corporate Performance Assessment by the Audit Commission in October 2007
• refresh the Community Strategy and Corporate Plan to ensure that both continue to meet the aspirations of our diverse communities
• ensure the Council retained its focus on improving services and delivering increasing value for money whether the structure of local government in Shropshire moves towards unitary or enhanced two-tier
• transfer our housing stock to a new registered social landlord

And we met and even exceeded our expectations on all counts. We:

• left Engagement with the Government before being re-inspected
• scored 'Good' in the Corporate Performance Assessment in October

Today we are providing high quality, cost effective services to our local communities.  We are recognised as a 'good' Council following a recategorisation by the Audit Commission and have managed to deliver a 0% Council Tax increase.  We are now facing very challenging times as all of the Councils in Shropshire move to create a single new Council by April 2009.  The Council is contributing significantly to this process but is committed to continue and  deliver high quality services for our local communities.

• "The Council provides effective leadership across a wide range of issues, and has not been distracted from the needs of local residents by the impending reorganisation to unitary status." according to the Audit Commission in the CPA report
• Refreshed the Community Strategy and Corporate Plan following the future of the district debate in consultation with the community and with our partners
• Remained the most improved District Council
• Delivered a 0% tax increase for the first time since 1995
• Played a full role in the process to create the Unitary Shropshire

This report gives a great deal of detail about what we have achieved and the many ways we have improved the quality of life for the communities across North Shropshire.

A summary of this report is available on-line at www.northshropshiredc.gov.uk or by phoning the Council on 01939 232771.