Derbyshire Dales District Council has maintained its high rating for the way it uses its resources, despite increasing financial pressures.

The Government’s watchdog, the Audit Commission, checks on the way all councils operate. It has announced this year’s scores for councils’ Use of Resources. Councils are scored on their financial reporting, financial management, financial standing, internal control, and value for money.

Derbyshire Dales District Council has again scored three out of four, and is judged to be performing well. This is the third year running the District Council has achieved this score.

Councillor Lewis Rose OBE, Leader of the District Council, said: “I am very pleased that Derbyshire Dales District Council has been scored as performing well on value for money, because I know how important this is for residents. This is a great achievement in a time of tightening budgets.”

Only 13 our of 238 district councils scored higher than Derbyshire Dales District Council on the overall score, and only seven scored higher on Value for Money.

“We are performing well on financial management, with only six districts in the country doing better than us”, added Councillor Rose.

The Audit Commission said, “This is particularly encouraging given the financial pressures councils are under.”

Sir Simon Milton, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "Local government's achievement comes at a time of increased demand for services and rising costs. This is good news for local people."