THE VALE council has been praised for its vision for the future and commitment to improvement by the Wales Audit Office (WAO).

A recent WAO report concluded that the council has a "clear vision of what it wishes to achieve" and is making positive changes which "should ensure it is well placed to continue securing improvement".

It also found that the council’s vision reflects both local needs and national priorities and that senior politicians and managers are working effectively with staff at all levels to improve services and plan for the future.

Cllr Neil Moore, leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, has welcomed the report, saying: "The corporate assessment is designed to answer one key question, whether as a local authority we are capable of delivering the priorities we have set ourselves and improved outcomes for Vale citizens. In this respect the report is glowing.

"The report is further evidence that, despite increasing pressures on our budgets and demands on our services, the Vale of Glamorgan Council is performing better than ever.

"This is a testament to the way in which the political leadership of the council, senior management, and staff work together, and with local partners, to deliver services of the highest quality.

"I am delighted that the council is receiving such public recognition of its successful work to make the Vale of Glamorgan a better place to live, work, and visit."

Auditor general for Wales, Huw Vaughan Thomas said: "I am delighted to present the Vale of Glamorgan Corporate Assessment for 2015-16.

"It is very positive to see a local authority receive such a good report and see that they have committed to looking at developing key services, such as ICT, to deliver more efficient services.

"I encourage the authority to continue this high standard as they deliver their proposed changes to key services."

Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “I’d like to congratulate the council on this excellent report. As the Auditor General points out, there is a clear line of sight in what the local authority wants to achieve and how it intends to improve the lives of the people it serves.

“I was particularly pleased to see that in terms of governance, the cabinet is working very effectively with senior managers to drive change and meet local needs. Their coordinated, joined-up approach across the authority will, I’m sure, pay dividends.

“Driving forward improvements like this has its challenges, of course, but I’m confident that through the effective leadership already demonstrated, the council will be able to make key changes to public services.

“Equally important, of course, are the council’s own internal procedures and it’s encouraging to see its robust financial planning and performance management measures are taking effect.

“Local authorities across Wales all have their individual strengths and I think it’s important to recognise the good practice shown by the council in bringing these improvements to fruition.”