THE dedication of council staff has been heralded after a local authority achieved all of it key performance targets for the first time, in the face of mounting financial pressures.

Hambleton District Council’s scrutiny committee heard its 100 per cent success rate in all 26 of its priorities between April and June followed action plans being developed to address areas of weaker performance.

The targets range from increasing numbers of visitors to town centres and collecting 98 per cent of business rates and council tax to defending appeals where major developments are refused planning permission. Other targets include increasing physical activity participation rates and maintaining a recycling rate of 47 per cent.

The authority’s leader, Councillor Mark Robson, said: “This success stands as testament to the hard work in all departments of the council, despite the Government funding pressures we face. The targets are very challenging, so to achieve them all at the same time is remarkable.”