Quality of life for people in Selby has been improved by the council, according to the latest assessment from an independent watchdog.

The Audit Commission has rated Selby District Council’s services as excellent – the top rating – after being judged to be “weak” in 2004.

The latest verdict has delighted the council.

Audit Commission senior manager Michael Newbury said the council had made a real difference to people’s lives.

She said: “The council has improved significantly since our last corporate assessment in 2004. It has improved services that matter to the public such as housing, benefits and planning.

“Physical and economic regeneration is resulting in more job opportunities and is starting to have an impact on town centres.

“With its partners, the council has helped to keep vulnerable people living independently.

“The council is also making significant contributions to the local priority of improving healthcare through its sustained focus on getting a new community hospital built in Selby.

“Its work is continuing to improve the quality of life for local people.”

The inspection team highlighted a number of key achievements of the council over recent years, including a firm focus on key aims and objectives, sound financial management and excellent partnership work.

Coun Mark Crane, leader of the council, said: “After our previous assessment we were given a ‘weak’ rating, so to go from that to the highest possible rating is a huge achievement. “We’ve known for a long time that the services we deliver and the way in which we work is worthy of praise, and now we have independent confirmation that we’re doing the best we can for our residents.

“My heartfelt thanks must go to all staff who deliver for the people of the Selby district day after day.

“Their hard work and commitment means we’ve been able to continually improve the way we run services over recent years.

“Far from being the end of the story, however, I’m confident we’ll go on from this to achieve even better results for our residents in the future. It’s a great base on which to build.”

But Steve Shaw-Wright, leader of the opposition Labour group, said the rating was useful for vanity means only.

He said the rating would bring no tangible benefits to the council and that although it is good for council staff to be praised it would bring nothing new for residents.