MID SUSSEX DISTRICT SLAMMED BY AUDIT COMMISSION

10.11.03pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 27th Jul 2003

Tory run Mid Sussex District Council overall performance has only been rated a grudging 'fair', according to a major report from the Audit Commission.

Lib Dem Councillor Steve Barnett says, "MSDC have been grouped with Crawley and Worthing as the worst performing Councils in the County, Two others, Horsham and Chichester, were rated excellent, the top grade available, and will gain extra freedoms as a result - MSDC will miss out."

Key problems the Audit Commission noted include:

• Overspending the revenue budget, and raiding reserves to make up the shortfall.

• A high level of professional staff turnover

• Senior management not working as an effective team

• The decline in previously high household waste recycling

• A need to improve consultation with local people

• A lack of a systematic approach to sharing experience [and so correcting errors]

As Steve Barnett says, "Both the high recycling rate and balanced budget were pre 1999 Lib Dem improvements since allowed to drift by the Tories. We will be pushing for real change to restore good local government to Mid Sussex."