Southwark Council's performance has been given the thumbs up by the Audit Commission, which has given the council a three star rating and said that the council is 'improving well'.

In its report the Audit Commission, which rates all councils nationally, highlights the improvement in children's educational attainment in Southwark schools - pupils in Southwark had the second highest rate of improvement nationally this year - and the council's environmental policies, which have helped to quadruple the recycling rate and promote the use of sustainable transport.

The report also praises the council's efforts to make the borough safer. Overall crime in Southwark has reduced by 8 per cent in the year to date. The council's social care service was again awarded a four star rating, the highest performance rating available.

Cllr Nick Stanton, leader of Southwark Council, said: "This report is an important acknowledgement that the council is delivering real change for residents and that we are continuing to improve services.

"I am particularly pleased that the commission has acknowledged that Southwark is cleaner, greener, and safer and the fact that we have one of the highest levels of community cohesion in the country.

"I'd like to thank our staff and partners as this report shows that their hard work is making a real improvement to the lives of people in the borough.

"Southwark has made huge progress and it is encouraging that the Audit Commission believe, as we do, that there are no significant weaknesses to stop us from continuing to improve.

"This is good news but we cannot afford to be complacent. We have just received a very harsh funding settlement from the government that means we have to make some very tough decisions about the services we offer but we will continue to work with residents to make Southwark a world class quarter of our world city."