4 Star Sutton

12.05.30am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 31st Mar 2008

Sutton Borough Council has been named the best borough in outer London!

In its annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) of all councils in England, the Audit Commission gave Sutton a top rating of 4 stars - one of only thirteen councils in the whole country.

Sutton Council is committed to providing top quality services to the residents of Sutton. The council has had to demonstrate significant further improvements to retain its 4 star status. It has been assessed as an authority that is providing high quality services, good value for money and is "improving well".

Improvements highlighted by the Audit Commission include street cleaning, children's social care, benefits and parking services. The council's overall performance was boosted by an improvement in two of the core services, environment and benefits, both of which moved up from 3 to 4 stars.

Leader of Sutton Council Sean Brennan said: "We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our dedicated staff who have worked so hard to further improve Sutton's high standard of services. We have shown we are performing at the highest level, improving well and giving good value. However, we will continue to strive for excellence across all our services.

"Retaining our 4 star rating is particularly gratifying at this time as the council has maintained high quality services in the face of diminishing resources and a sterner test. Sutton has received one of the lowest increases in government grant for 2007/08 and has worked hard to bridge a £5.3million funding gap in the next financial year primarily through a range of efficiency measures."