CONGLETON Borough Council has achieved its challenging budget and improved its financial standing, according to a draft statement of accounts for 2005/06.

Both revenue and capital reserves have been increased, which will be of vital importance as the council plans future budgets and ensures corporate goals are reached while limiting Council Tax rises.

The council underwent a major restructure in 2005/06 to make more effective use of its resources and has reduced its salary costs significantly.

An overall efficiency review was also launched enabling the council to exceed the standard 2.5 per cent cashable Government savings target and deliver more than £1million in annual savings in the 2006/07 budget.

Clr David Brown, the new portfolio holder for finance, said he was pleased with the outcome but does not underestimate the challenges still to be faced.

He said: "The council needs to find further efficiency savings and income generation schemes and our aim is to provide value for money services while keeping council tax rises as low as possible."