Reality versus Rhetoric: Evidencing councils improved performance
12 September 2008
Council services in Wales are improving.
Evidence points towards overall improvement, achievement and success, and public opinion surveys consistently show high satisfaction levels with local services. However, the reputation and perception of performance is often at odds with this reality. Wales’ rugby psyche fluctuates between optimism after the latest victory or pessimism following the latest defeat.
Confidence in Welsh councils often only characterises the latter; collectively we are usually viewed only as good as the latest bad news headline or local inspection.
National rhetoric and focus on underperformance has perpetuated this perception. Even the Wales on Sunday has observed that there is a tendency to blame everything on local government: ‘What else can we blame Wales’ beleaguered local authorities for…Wales not making it through to Euro 2008?’ (Wales on Sunday, 25th May 2008)
Local government is not in denial; all councils are committed to continual improvement and some councils face particular challenges in improving key frontline services. Councils’ approach
to performance management is continually evolving and will further improve with the roll-out of Ffynnon. Challenge is of course a central element of the improvement process. Disproportionate challenge however is more counterproductive than constructive. The perception of a culture of mediocrity in Wales’ councils does a massive disservice to the efforts
and achievements of the thousands of council workers and councillors across Wales.
Councils have a strong track-record of consistent improvement, achievement and innovation. This is not an idle, selfproclaimed boast; it is fact independently endorsed by auditors,
inspectors and recognised through national awards. We should celebrate councils’ achievements and successes; we should seek to inspire, innovate, share and learn from improvement across Wales.
For more information contact: Daniel Hurford