North Kesteven District Council and Leisure Connection are celebrating after their leisure and cultural services were recognised as being 'good' by the self assessment model Towards an Excellent Service (TAES).

The Improvement and Development Agency, (IDeA), the body for local government improvement, validated the assessment that was carried out by the leisure partnership of North Kesteven District Council and national leisure providers, Leisure Connection.

Leisure Connection and the Economic and Community Services Department of the Council took a unique joint partnership approach to carrying out the self assessment, which included all leisure and cultural services operated in partnership with Leisure Connection and those retained in-house by Economic and Community Services.

The District Council’s Client Officer Mike Lock said:

“We deliberately chose to be assessed as a joint partnership rather than individually to demonstrate the strength of our unique relationship.

The self assessment was validated by the Improvement and Development Agency IDeA. Neil Shaw IDeA validator stated:

“Based on the findings of the validation we believe the Council’s overall assessment of the services should be ‘good’, according to the TAES framework. It is clear that the services are embracing a challenging process to transform their services since the commencement of the partnership in 2003.”

“This is also creating a solid platform for further improvements to the services during 2007 as well as reflecting the enthusiasm and commitment of senior members and officers at all levels in the partnership.”

Jill Franks Director of QLM Ltd in congratulating the team on the result said:

“Your partnership is a really good example of a true partnership and one that many authorities would do well to emulate.”

Leader of  North Kesteven District Council Mrs Marion Brighton, OBE, said:

“This is a splendid result and one which recognises the hard work that has been carried out in order to make this partnership, the first of its kind in the country, to be a real success.

“This partnership was unique since Leisure Connection had very little experience of the cultural side of things and working with a dedicated team of arts specialists. However with hard work and commitment from both sides, these hurdles were overcome and I am so proud that we have now reached validation of our work.

“I would very much like to congratulate the Client Team and Leisure Connection in this noteworthy achievement.”

Further info about Towards an Excellent Service can be found on our Local Governement web page.