REDDITCH Council services have 'continued to show improvement' according to recently published performance indicator ratings.

The council has to monitor progress throughout the year so action can be taken if performance in certain areas is not up to scratch.

A report highlighting first and second quarter returns concluded 42.8 per cent of indicators were on target, 28.5 were below and 28.5 per cent were above.

Acting best value manager Alex Urka said in a report to councillors: "On the whole, the council has continued to show improvement but must be aware of significant trends both up and down on targets."

The report states the council's revenues and benefits service is on course to meet most of its targets but more work is needed to address the average time for processing new housing and council tax benefit claims and changes in circumstances.

Community services is also on course to meet most of its targets. But care and repair and equipment and adaptations services show more work is needed to address under-performance.

Planning services' current performance is below target but there is potential to achieve the overall target for the year.

All best value performance indicators relating to Forge Mill Museum show an improvement from the last quarter, although this may change for the next quarter due to seasonal variations.

Mr Urka added: "Waste management services is actively encouraging recycling within the borough and overall, the percentage of household waste recycled has improved upon the last time this performance indicator was measured.

"It is encouraging that the number of public reports of litter has dropped for the second quarter compared to the first quarter and that the number of volunteer street wardens and litter pickers has exceeded the projected target for the year."