MANY of the services run by Ryedale District Council have been rated among the best in the country.

Council performance manager Phil Hancock has revealed that the council featured among the top 25 per cent of the country's 300-plus district and borough councils. The proportion of council tax collected is 98.5 per cent and business rates, 98.3 per cent, while the cost of handling a housing benefit or council tax claim was £65.57, just above the average of £65.48. The average speed of dealing with claims was 33 days compared with 48 days elsewhere.

However, said Mr Hancock, spending per head of population in Ryedale on culture and recreation was below average at £19.65 compared with the average of £23.69.

Ryedale was in the best 25 percent of local authorities in its crime figures, with many fewer burglaries and car crimes than the average.

"Overall, the council's performance is above the average and in some cases is in the top 25 percent," said Mr Hancock. He added that out of 37 council services, Ryedale reached the top group in 15.

Turnout at elections in Ryedale averaged 44.6 per cent well above the average of 30 per cent, ands the number of sick days per member of staff was ranked low.

Updated: 10:00 Monday, March 24, 2003