A TEAM of Government inspectors has renewed the council’s three-star rating for the way it served Medway’s residents in 2007.

Council leader Rodney Chambers and chief executive Neil Davies welcomed the result as “a reflection of the dedicated work by staff throughout the authority to deliver high quality, value for money services.”

But opposition politicians were quick to ridicule claims the council was a high performer after another three-star asessment by the Audit Commission.

Labour finance spokesman Cllr Glyn Griffiths accused the Conservative administration of being “gloss rather than substance".

Kent County Council, meanwhile, has been awarded the highest four-star rating for the fifth year running.

* See Friday's Medway Messenger for full story and reaction