HAMPSHIRE County Council has earned a place in the top category among the most dynamic and innovative councils in the country, in the Government's first tables of performance for all 150 county and unitary councils.

The Comprehensive Performance Assessment looked at council's achievements to date and their future improvement plans.

A total of 14 other councils were placed in the top category.

Government watchdogs the Audit Commission said: "Hampshire County council has a strong focus on achieving its objectives, high customer satisfaction and overall some of the best services provided by a county council. It has strong political and executive leadership, is open to challenge and new ideas and has high quality staff." Council chief executive Peter Robertson said: "The Audit Commission praised staff for being 'knowledgeable, involved, well trained and having a good grasp of priorities'.

"They said the quality of our staff, their management and our professional training were key successes and both managers and councillors were willing to tackle difficult problems and take tough decisions when needed."

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Ken Thornber, said: "The secret of our success has been the dedication and professionalism of our 32,000 staff and councillors in delivering high quality services.

"Our 'excellent' result means we will gain additional flexibilities and freedoms to get on with the day job of improving services that matter to local people, without interference from government."

Hampshire is also one of four councils highlighted in a new publication by the Local Government Association called 'Leading the Agenda - the Local Government Improvement Story'.

The full assessment can be viewed on the county council's website at www.hants.gov.uk/cpa or at www.councilperformance.gov.uk But Mr Thornber added: "It is ironic we have just received the joint lowest grant settlement of all county councils as part of the Government's bid to shift resources to urban areas in the North and Midlands, and as a result we will be forced to make up the shortfall through council tax if we are to maintain our service levels."