THE Government Office for the South West (GOSW) has praised the work and progress of work of Forest of Dean District Council.

GOSW, which was supporting the council's improvement work, has written to the council saying it no longer needs to be involved as the council is making great progress.

This follows on from the council's recent successful Annual Governance Report from the Audit Commission where it passed all the assessments for value for money.

In his letter to the council Jon Bright, director of GOSW, said: "I am now able to write and confirm that our engagement with Forest of Dean is at an end."

Mr Bright stressed the significance of the authority's achievement and said that this "marks a major milestone in the life of the council."

He continued: "I have little doubt that you will continue to work hard as a political and managerial team to push the council towards excellence. You have a realistic sense of the challenges ahead and we are confident that you now have the leadership capacity, capability and will to press on and improve further."

Leader of the council Cllr Peter Amos said: "This council has come on leaps and bounds and we were all so pleased to receive this letter. It's gratifying that the good work of this council is now being recognised by the government. 

"Officers and members have worked very hard to make improvements in order to give the best possible value for money services for the people of the Forest of Dean.

"We want to continue and build on the council's success for everyone in the community. Thanks to everyone at the council for the hard work they've put in to achieve these great steps forward."