To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the meetings held by officials from her Department with Swindon borough council in 2004 and 2005 to improve the performance of the councillors running Swindon borough council. (86001)

[holding answer 17 July 2006]: Meetings between officials from the then ODPM and Swindon borough council during 2004 and 2005 were intended to encourage a sustained focus by the Council on overall improvement of its performance. By December 2005, Swindon had improved from a Comprehensive Performance Assessment rating of “poor” to achieve a rating of two stars and “improving well”. In the light of this improved performance, ODPM’s close engagement with Swindon borough council ceased in early 2006 as it was considered to have achieved its objectives. Swindon continues to receive support, where necessary, from the Government Office for the South West.