Top scores for council services

The 2007 comprehensive performance assessments (CPAs) measure the quality of services provided by English councils to their local communities and their commitment to improving these services in the future. The figures show that 97 per cent of London boroughs are rated as improving well or strongly with 94 per cent gaining three or four stars.

For the third year running the capital boasts some of the country's top councils with six London boroughs - Camden, City of London, Kensington and Chelsea, Sutton, Wandsworth and Westminster - among the 13 authorities receiving the highest possible rating of four stars and improving strongly under CPA.

Lambeth is the most improved council in the country, moving from one star and improving well to three stars and improving strongly.

Barnet, Hackney, Lewisham and Merton all also improved by one star.