THE District Auditor has praised St Helens Council for providing a good service in a number of areas.

In his summary he says the local authority has excellent business rate and council tax collections - having the best business rate collection of all metropolitan councils and the second highest collection of council tax.

The council was applauded for its sound financial standing and financial systems, its effective procedures to prevent fraud and corruption and the progress it has made to implement changes to the democratic process.

Also highlighted was the effort made by the council to improve value for money from its services and its commitment to monitoring performance and striving for continuous improvement.