NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Aston Science Park, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 03/13/2007 - The National Audit Office, the UK’s public spending watchdog, today announced that it has awarded Advantage West Midlands the highest possible rating for its overall performance.

In its Independent Performance Assessment (IPA) of Advantage West Midlands, the National Audit Office (NAO) concludes that the organisation is performing strongly and that it is providing “strong regional leadership to drive change” in the West Midlands region.

Advantage West Midlands scored 20 out of a possible maximum of 24 points, with the NAO concluding that Advantage West Midland (advantagewm.co.uk) is performing strongly, the top rating available. The Independent Performance Assessment of RDAs is based on the Comprehensive Performance Assessment arrangements for local government, and uses the same ‘scoring system’.

The IPA recognizes that Advantage West Midlands has achieved considerable success, provides strong leadership, works well in partnership with a wide range of organizations, has excellent financial control and a good record of achieving targets. It also recognises the strong and inclusive approach taken by AWM in developing the new West Midlands Economic Strategy.

The assessment highlighted particular examples of success including:

projects such as Fort Dunlop, the Manufacturing Advisory Service and bringing Broadband to rural areas
the “major success” of managing the collapse of MG Rover

the reform of Business Link which is seen as a “major step forward”
the “considerable success” of the Manufacturing Advisory Service

“performing well” on attracting inward investment to the region

As well as highlighting Advantage West Midlands achievements, the assessment also sets out areas for improvement. These include a better understanding of the barriers to an effective regional marketing campaign and improving communications on how we appraise projects. Advantage West Midlands is preparing an improvement plan for implementing these improvements which will be sent to the NAO within a month.
Advantage West Midlands Chief Executive John Edwards said: “We are obviously delighted with the NAO’s assessment of our organisation and this is good news for the region.
“This is the first time Advantage West Midlands’ performance has been scrutinised by the NAO and to come out of the assessment with the highest possible rating is real vindication of the work we are doing. It is also what our hard working staff deserve.
“What is especially pleasing is the NAO’s recognition of the work we do with our partners across the West Midlands. The NAO has highlighted many projects which show how this team effort is producing excellent results. Our partners deserve special thanks for all the support they have given our organisation.
“However, we are not complacent and will work hard on the areas for improvement. As an organisation, we can and will get even better over the coming years. And working with our partners – and the West Midlands working as a team – we can and will transform our region and the lives of all our people.”

Agency / Source: Advantage West Midlands

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