A COUNCIL that was heavily criticised after a Government inspection has unveiled its plans for recovery.

Teesdale District Council was given a grading of poor in a comprehensive performance assessment published earlier this year. The report also said it was "weak with few identifiable strengths".

Yesterday, the council launched New Horizons, a recovery programme to lift its performance.

Despite the poor rating it was praised for the way it delivered services, especially planning and leisure services.

However, it drew criticism for its political and managerial leadership, the decision making process, financial and performance management and communications.

At the launch of the recovery programme, chief executive Charles Anderson said many new processes had already been implemented.

The committee structure had been revised and the decision-making process streamlined, with the council's corporate strategy group able to take executive decisions.

There had been significant improvement in the collection of council tax and the benefits service.

Teams had also been set up to look at the improvement of key areas of activity.

Mr Anderson said: "People will have targets to work to and there will be people accountable for carrying out the various aspects of the improvement plan.

"There will be proper managed biannual appraisals and if they haven't met the targets they should have achieved, we'll find out why."

Pat Thynne, from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, said the important thing for the council to remember was to continually strive to improve and not to rest on its laurels.

She said: "The council is like a car on a long journey, although it's motoring nicely, if it's not maintained, it's going to grind to a halt."