A KEY Hart council service has been given a lowly one-star rating by a Government watchdog.

The Audit Commission gave Hart District Council’s environmental services a one-star rating, on a scale of zero to three stars, after an inspection carried out in October.

The inspection examined areas such as waste collection and recycling, street-cleansing, grounds maintenance and affordable housing delivery.

The report found:

  • customers complained they could not get through to officers at the district council on the phone
  • the reception area at the civic centre, in Fleet, was “not welcoming and reception staff were not always able to be proactive in helping callers”
  • staff morale was low and sickness absence rates were in the worst 25 per cent of all district councils
  • Hart’s existing grounds maintenance contract was “not fit for purpose”
  • the council’s services delivered “inconsistent value for money”.
  • However, the report also stated that environmental services had started to improve, the district council’s leadership was now strong, and it praised its recycling and countryside services.

Linda Krywald, senior manager at the Audit Commission, said: “The council is beginning to improve its environmental services from a low base.

“However, there is much more work to do to sustain improvements. This includes increasing the accuracy of information used to guide decision making and having a clearer focus on delivering value for money.”

Councillor Ken Crookes, leader of Hart District Council, welcomed the report.

He said: “The council realises it still has some way to go and the Audit Commission has made some useful suggestions on how we can improve.

“We are now focusing on better understanding and delivering value for money, are consulting with residents through the much-expanded Citizens Panel and we are working on an improved culture of customer care.”

He added: “However, we know we have a lot to do and are taking the recommendations very seriously.”