Council saves more than £6 million

More than £6 million of taxpayers' money was reported saved by Rochdale Council last year as part of a programme to improve council efficiency.

New figures published today show that the local authority reported £9.019 million of savings during 2008-09.

Communities Secretary John Denham welcomed the 'substantial progress' made by local government, but challenged councils to continue to re-think the way they deliver services.

Mr Denham said: "We have a radical vision for local government that will give it a stronger, more powerful role - not for its own sake but because it is the best way of achieving better public services that meet people's needs and offer better value for money."

The council outstripped its target of £2.79 million by more than £6 million, making it the fifth best performer in the whole country in terms of percentage of target achieved.