For the seventh year running Kent County Council has scored the highest possible Comprehensive Performance Assessment rating - both four stars and improving strongly. No other county council has achieved the top score consistently since the inspection regime began in 2002. Therefore Kent is consistently the best performing county in the country.

KCC's elected members received the highest praise from the inspectors:-

"Kent County Council has for ten years been seeking excellence and its organisation is impressive, high quality, responsive and gives good value for money."

"Councillors are of high calibre and the internal culture is one of high mutual respect. Ethical standards are high and decision-making processes are clear and well-ordered."

"The council often leads beyond the norm for local government and is an outstandingly effective advocate for Kent at all levels."

I hope you will all be as pleased as we are to read these plaudits!