WEST Devon Borough Council is the top local authority in the South West for the way it manages its finances and gives value for money. Regional league tables issued by Local Government watchdog, the Audit Commission in the last week, shows West Devon is joint leader with South Gloucestershire unitary authority in a tough assessment of how well it uses its resources. It is the third year running the council has come out as the best performing authority in Devon and Cornwall, and that includes the region's unitary and county councils. The Commission has awarded the council a rating of three out of four. In one category, financial reporting, it maintained the highest score possible and is performing strongly. This means that the council is one of the best in the country for its accounts and how responsible it is in spending public money. Inspectors assessed the council in five areas — financial reporting, financial management, financial standing, internal control and value for money. The Commission said: 'We have identified that the council continues to have a good awareness of its resources and its costs, and exercises close control over its limited finances. 'This is achieved, in part, by seeking opportunities for shared services with other council's. The council has been very successful in raising external finance in support of its capital programme.' Cllr Margaret Garton, chairman of the council's strategies and resources committee, said: 'To achieve this when we have one of the smallest number of staff of any district council in the country serving one of the largest areas is truly the icing on the cake. 'The council is run to the highest standards of financial efficiency and probity. 'Every penny is looked after and is put to good use.'
