Councils hit back after The Times release list ranking ‘worst local authorities in the country’

A number of Greater Manchester councils have hit back following a list ranking each local authority in the country.

A list from media outlet The Times was compiled using data from the Office for Local Government (Oflog) – which dubbed Nottingham City Council the worst in England and Torridge District Council in Devon the best. 

A number of councils in the GM region have joined the Local Government Association (LGA) in blasting this use of data as ‘inaccurate’ and ‘ill-timed’ considering the article was released during a pre-election period – when councils are limited in what they can respond with.

Manchester Council came out the worst ranked authority in the region in a position of 279th.

Rochdale Council was dubbed the best in the region with a national ranking of 57th.

The list used Oflog data and council performance in the sectors of waste management; corporate and finance; planning and roads; and adult social care. 

The Times’ methodology explained that it chose these categories as the council can control the outcome, such as the number of planning applications completed on time.

In a letter penned by Coun Shaun Davies, chair of the LGA, to Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, he said: “I do not want to be labelled as a Cassandra figure, but our warnings about the use of data and Oflog’s ability to advise and brief the media about what the data does and doesn’t show have now come to pass.

"The fact that this happened during the pre-election period when the ability for councils to adequately respond is curtailed has made this situation worse.

“While I appreciate that the league table was compiled by a media organisation, we are very concerned that neither Oflog, nor DLUHC, stepped in swiftly to correct inaccuracies and misleading content.”

Coun Davies went on to list a number of grievances with the list and how data does not always reflect council performance.

He demanded an urgent meeting with the Levelling Up department between him and the LGA Vice-Chairs, to discuss the matters raised.

List of how each council ranked on The Times list:

Rochdale: 57th
Wigan: 93rd
Bolton: 97th
Bury: 119th
Oldham: 129th
Trafford: 140th
Tameside: 153rd
Stockport: 174th
Salford: 194th
Manchester: 297th

How Greater Manchester councils reacted

A number of GM councils have seconded this message after not ranking favourably in the list put together by The Times.

When contacted for a response, most GM councils referred the Local Democracy Reporting Service to the statement provided by the LGA.

Here is the response from Oldham council as they wanted to add further comment:

A spokesperson for Oldham Council, said: “The Local Government Association (LGA) has raised concerns with central Government over the accuracy of Oflog’s data, which it says may have led to the Times publishing ‘inaccuracies and misleading content’.

“We also have concerns about the metrics used being out of date.

"However, we are well aware of the challenges that affect our residents.

“When you compare our funding now to 2010, we’ve lost an equivalent of 56 per cent.

"Cuts from central Government coupled with the cost of living pressures, have hit areas like Oldham the hardest and impacted on Council services. 

“We remain committed to improving and delivering value for money for our residents, and in some areas we are clearly performing amongst the better local authorities.”

The Times have been contacted for a comment.

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