AN independent assessment has concluded that East Lindsey District Council is performing well and making a positive difference to people's lives.

The Oneplace assessment by the Audit Commission is part of the Government's recently introduced Comprehensive Area Assessment performance monitoring programme.

It provides the community with an overview of how the public services in their area perform.

Councils were inspected on their managing performance, use of resources, managing finances, governing the business and managing resources.

The assessment says that in East Lindsey, over two thirds of residents feel strongly that they belong to their immediate neighbourhood and that three quarters think that people from different communities get on well together.

Inspectors confirmed the council has made good progress, improving front line services and improving the efficiency of its own operations.

They also recognised the focus the council has put on tackling local issues through programmes such as Neighbourhood Management.

Inspectors said that local people now receive good value for their money, with East Lindsey District Council's council tax requirement remaining one of the lowest in the country for a number of years.

They recognised that robust processes are in place for financial planning and praised the £2m of savings the council has made in the last two years.

Council leader, Cllr Doreen Stephenson, said the assessment makes good reading for local people: "This assessment is recognition of the council's improved performance and the benefit this is bringing to the people we serve. Whilst we are pleased with the feedback we have received, we must continue to work hard to address local areas of concern and develop our services to meet the demands of our communities. "

Lincolnshire County Council has also been judged as performing well in the Oneplace assessment.

The county council has been praised for tackling the big local issues and for the way they have worked together with other councils, police, the NHS and other local services.

Cllr Martin Hill leader of Lincolnshire County Council said: "On the back of the county's highest ever rating for its adult social care services, we now have the best ever overall assessment the council has received from all of the major independent inspection bodies.

"! I am delighted the results show the county council is not only performing well but, at this time of economic restraint, is good at managing its money and is making savings."

The full Assessment report can be viewed at www.direct.gov.uk/oneplace