Westminster Makes History With ‘Outstanding’ Children’s Services
Conservative-run Westminster City Council has made history as the first authority in the country to receive an ‘outstanding’ rating from OFSTED for its Children’s Services.
OFSTED said that Westminster’s Children’s Services Department showed ‘exemplary application’ of the ‘focus on practice’ model and praised the Council for its leadership, innovation and expertise in this area.
Inspectors commented that some of the innovative work they saw at Westminster will be used as an exemplar for other authorities to drive up standards across the country.
Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Danny Chalkley, said: ‘I am very proud that Westminster is leading the way on Children’s Services and I think that OFSTED’s rating is testament to the excellent team we have in place and the exceptional work that they do for our children and young people across the Borough’.
Deputy Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Paul Church, said: ‘Westminster’s outstanding OFSTED for our Children’s Services shows that this Council doesn’t only make history, it makes futures, too, for all of the children and young people that we serve right across the Borough’.
Prioritising Cleaner, Safer Streets
Conservatives in Westminster have welcomed a 16% reduction in litter on Westminster streets and 85 new schemes of work to be carried out on carriageways and footways. The Council has also allocated specific funds for repairing gulleys and potholes in the city.
Residents have noticed a positive difference with litter complaints down by 27%. The results have also been endorsed by the Independent Group 'Keep Britain Tidy' which shows Westminster compares very favourably as compared to other council's in London.
The Council has managed to increase efficiencies by improving back office functions and moving toward a ‘digital city’ model, with 75% of services now available online. Bulky waste collection saw a 25% increase since going digital and webforms now make up 45% of reports to the council.
