02 May 2008
Councils rated highly by the Audit Commission are also popular with their staff, research shows.
New Improvement and Development Agency findings, announced at the Public Sector People Managers' Association annual conference in Brighton on May 1, revealed that good Comprehensive Performance Assessment scores went hand in hand with a committed and fulfilled workforce.
Joan Munro, the IDA's national adviser for workforce strategy, told Public Finance that a lot had been learned from the 'Best Council To Work For' initiative.
'The councils that have scored really well in commitment and engagement in their workforce have also done really well in
CPA results. They've either got the top results… or they're the ones that have improved dramatically,' she said.
These councils had clear and realistic ambitions which were well communicated to both staff and residents, Munro added. They also had strong and stable financial management.
'And the councils that really do well — the top few — seem to be good at having fun, doing things that encourage a good feeling across the organisation,' she said.
Last year, the IDA named Vale Royal Borough Council as the best to work for, followed by Wychavon District Council and Rossendale Borough Council.
PFmay2008
