Success comes in threes for South Tyneside Council

The Council has recently been subject to three external inspection and reviews - the Local Government Association corporate peer challenge; a Care Quality Commission thematic review of mental health services for children and young people, and an Ofsted inspection of children’s services. 

South Tyneside was recognised as a ‘high performing council’ by the LGA and the CQC commended the ‘outstanding mental health support’ for children and young people.

The council was also judged by Ofsted as one of the best performing in the country for children’s services - with its adoption service rated as outstanding.

Coun Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “Inspections are an external challenge that give residents confidence that we are providing the best possible services to the people of South Tyneside.

“As public servants we are open to intense scrutiny - and quite rightly so.

“The last seven years in South Tyneside represent a period of unprecedented and rapid change. Staff, elected members and partners have played a major part in our change programme, rising to the challenge of reconciling financial pressures with a bold 20 year ambition to transform the borough.

“The recent inspections gave us an excellent opportunity to demonstrate and showcase positive work across the council. However, we are not complacent – we continue to strive to do better so that we continue to improve and develop.”

The LGA Corporate peer challenge provided a council-wide ‘health check’ and highlighted the authority’s work across a number of areas - from ensuring budgets are aligned to priorities to delivering on the borough’s economic and regeneration plans.

The team, comprising experienced senior political and local government officers, also endorsed future regeneration and economic growth schemes including South Shields 365, town centre regeneration and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).

Earlkier this year, South Tyneside Council was shortlisted by the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) as one of a handful of councils in the running for Council of the Year.