Star ratings: reactions from councils

Bolton Council: Three stars (same as 2006); excellent services and capacity to improve

Executive member for adult social care and health Rosa Kay said: “To maintain a three star rating for the fifth year running is understandably a great achievement and testament to the hard work and dedication of staff.”

Camden Council: Three stars (same as 2006); excellent services and excellent capacity

Executive member for adult social care and health Martin Davies said: “This latest rating shows very clearly that we are on the right track. I will do what I can to ensure that we continue to improve the help we offer our vulnerable and elderly residents.”

Southwark Council: Three stars (same as 2006); excellent services and excellent capacity

Susanna White, strategic director of health and community services, said: “We’re particularly pleased that we’ve been recognised for our efforts helping older people remain as independent as possible. We want to build on our work so far and continue to improve.”

Tower Hamlets Council: Three stars (same as 2006); excellent services and excellent capacity

Motin Uz-Zaman, lead member for health and well-being, said: “We are up there with the best in the country and when you consider we are an inner London borough with all the challenges this presents, it is a huge achievement.”

Essex Council: Three stars (up from two stars in 2006); good services and excellent capacity

Jenny Owen, executive director for adults, health and community well-being, said: “This fantastic achievement is all the more impressive considering the climate of increased budgetary pressure we are currently facing. Developing these high standards, therefore, will be a difficult task, but one we are well placed to achieve.

Trafford Council: Three stars (up from two stars in 2006); good services and excellent capacity

Council leader Susan Williams said: “This latest report is great news and shows just how far we have come from the days when our social care was described in less than favourable terms.”

Brighton and Hove Council: Three stars (same as 2006); good services and excellent capacity to improve

Ken Norman, lead councillor for adult social care and health, said: “I know just how committed and skilled our staff are, and I’m delighted that the hard work they put in day in and day out to help improve people’s lives has once again been recognised.”

Croydon Council: Three stars (same as 2006); good services and excellent capacity

Cabinet member for health and adult social care Margaret Mead said: “Retaining the maximum rating for the services we provide to adults is a huge achievement.”

Kensington and Chelsea Council: Three stars (same as 2006); good services and excellent capacity

Cabinet member for adult social care Fiona Buxton said: “Whilst we work within a tightly regulated framework we still manage to develop new and innovative ways to provide social care services. The three stars are an endorsement of the efforst of our staff and partners.”

Southampton Council: Three stars (same as 2006); good services and excellent capacity

John Beer, executive director for communities, health and care, said: “All staff are to be congratulated on the effort they have put in to provide this top level of social care for adults in Southampton.”

Swindon Council: Two stars (up from one star in 2006); good services and promising capacity

Cabinet member for health, housing and social care David Renard said: “The dramatic transformation has been a tremendous team effort, especially when one considers how poorly the service was rated just a few years ago.”

Birmingham Council: Two stars (up from one star in 2006); good services and promising capacity

Peter Hay, strategic director for adults and communities, said: “There has been a huge amount of hard work by staff across the directorate to achieve this rating and we are determined to continue to further improve services for all our users.”

Bradford Council: Two stars (same as 2006); good services and promising capacity

Executive member for adults and health Dale Smith said: “This is a fantastic report and a tribute to all adult services employees who work tirelessly to ensure the people in our care are looked after, kept safe and given the best possible quality of life.”

Hackney Council: Two stars (same as 2006); good services and promising capacity

Kim Wright, corporate director for community services, said: “Our strong management team is committed to continuing service improvement, and we want to work with service users and partners to ensure the development of what matters most.”

Hull Council: Two stars (same as 2006); good services and promising capacity

Stephen Baker, portfolio holder for adult social care, said: “I am very happy with this assessment particularly in the light of the recent problems caused by the flooding and the need for extra effort by all parties.”

Cumbria Council: One star (same as 2006); adequate services and promising capacity; unsuccessfully appealed for two stars

Cabinet member for adult social care and health Oliver Pearson said: “We are obviously disappointed to have missed out on two stars by a mere whisker. Performance indicators are one of the few measurable factors in the inspection process and on these we have leapfrogged 51 of the country’s councils on performance.”

Harrow Council: One star (same as 2006); adequate services and uncertain capacity

Cabinet member for adult services Eric Silver said: “We realise there is a lot more work to do although Harrow Council is continuing to make positive strides. Clearly it is disappointing that the council has retained its one-star rating.”