EALING Council is "improving well" according to annual ratings by government inspectors.

The Audit Commission's latest appraisal confirms services have improved from 2005, which were described as "adequate".

The watchdog has also given Ealing three out of four stars for its overall performance.

But libraries and other leisure services are under performing, dropping from three stars to two.

And environment services, which includes transport, planning and waste, has also stayed at level two, despite the leadership making it one of its "top priorities" to improve at the local elections in May last year.

The Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) looks at the council's corporate management, its use of resources, and each of the departments, to see how well they are operating.

And this year it has used more stringent testing procedures to make it more difficult for councils to get high scores.

Darra Singh, Ealing Council's chief executive, said: "This really was the harder test and it confirms that Ealing is providing quality and value for money across a wide range of services.

"The inspection report shows we have consolidated on the good work from a year before and accelerated our improvement.

"This can only be good news for residents who expect and deserve only the very best from their council."

The report said the council had developed an "ambitious vision" for the borough through "strong and clear leadership", adding it was "well placed" to improve services for local people.

Leader Cllr Jason Stacey, said: "I am pleased to see the quality of services in Ealing being recognised by the inspectors.

"Ultimately, all the improvements we make are aimed at making the borough a better place to live and work."