Independent 3 Star Rating Undermines Labour's Political Opportunism on Adult Social Services

2.45.37pm GMT Thu 6th Dec 2007

An independent 3 Star rating of Islington's Adult Social Services department has undermined opposition attempts to remove Executive Member for Adult Social Services John Gilbert.

3 stars is the highest rating that a council can achieve. The independent inspectors verdict puts Islington as one of the few Councils receiving top marks.

The report by the Government's Commission for Social Care and Inspection (CISCI) called the leadership of Adult Social Services "Excellent", and praised the political commitment of the Council.

Adult Social Services is now Islington Council's second 3 star rated service, with the Benefits Service also getting top marks.

Council Leader James Kempton said

Social services in Islington get top marks

"Labour have spent months pedalling smears and misinformation about the state of adult social services in Islington. I know users of the service greatly value it. A different impression has been given to everyone else by months of politically motivated gossip from the Labour group. We now know the truth from the independent inspectors - social services in this borough have never been better and are now rated alongside the best in the country."