COUNCIL chiefs in Richmond are celebrating another positive report on their performance by the Audit Commission.

Over the past 12 months, Richmondshire District Council has had to juggle day-to-day affairs with a new system of local government, the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth crisis and a staff shortage in the policy department.

However, despite the workload, the authority's financial management polices were singled out for particular praise.

Inspectors noted the council had remained under budget.

Only the lack of a formal procedure for dealing with risk management drew criticism, although officers have already commissioned a risk audit and there are plans to set up a risk management group.