A LOCAL government watchdog has praised Blackpool Council for its smooth preparations to go independent.

The Audit Commission, which assesses the way councils manage their finances, said Blackpool was on a sound financial footing.

It had succeeded in its dual role of preparing to take over major services from Lancashire County Council in April, while at the same time continuing to provide quality services.

In addition, the council has made "commendable progress" in the short time since its election in May in dealing with complex issues surrounding reorganisation.

Overall, the commission concluded, councillors and officers were committed to ensuring former LCC services like education and social services were transferred smoothly and that Blackpool residents would benefit from the new arrangements.

Council leader Councillor Ivan Taylor said they were all working hard to produce a unitary authority the people of Blackpool would be proud of but the true test would be in the new authority's ability to provide services which cost less while serving people best.

He said: "Blackpool has been consistently praised for its sound financial management and we must ensure this strong financial control continues as we move forward as a unitary authority.

"The auditors have commented, and we agree, that perhaps the most challenging period is yet to come as we set to work on drawing up an affordable and effective first solo budget and to implement the changes as planned."

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