KENT County Council’s reputation as one of the country’s premier local councils was confirmed today when it was ranked as one of the nation’s best-performing authorities.

Council league tables published by the Audit Commission saw KCC given the highest four star rating for its services. Not only that but independent inspectors gave it the highest possible score for its potential for services to get even better in the future.

The ratings made KCC one of only five authorities nationally to achieve the highest scores possible in both categories.

Jubilant council chiefs hailed the news as a cause for celebration but insisted KCC would not rest on its laurels.

The council league tables are put together by the Audit Commission, the public spending watchdog. Inspectors assess how well councils are delivering major services.

In KCC’s case, adult and childrens services were given three-star ratings for consistently delivering good standards and serving most people well. Both were regarded as having the potential to improve still further.

In education, there was praise for the way the authority had raised classroom standards and targeted attendance levels. Inspectors also singled out improvements in help for vulnerable people, child protection, road safety and recycling.

In their verdict, inspectors said: "Kent continues to make significant improvements with local priorities. Securing value for money and improving efficiency is at the heart of service improvement. The council’s success in these is strong."

County council Conservative leader Cllr Paul Carter said: "This is excellent news and a cause for celebration. It is enormous credit to our extremely able staff that yet again we have had such a glowing report.

"There are areas where we could do better and I will ensure we will build on these achievements."