A public sector magazine has shortlisted Harrow Council for its Best Achieving Council award - even though the authority is the equal second worst in London.
The council is one of six vying for the accolade from the Municipal Journal despite receiving just two stars out of four in its annual comprehensive performance assessment for 2007/08 from the Audit Commission. Only one-star Hackney Council was worst.
Ealing Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council, in Nottinghamshire, Somerset County Council, South Somerset District Council and Teignbridge District Council in Devon, are the other finalists.
Harrow Council's chief executive Michael Lockwood said: "This prestigious award is in recognition of real and sustained improvement that has been made across the whole authority and resulted in a real difference for residents and greater value for money. There were over 40 entrants and we are one of six that have been shortlisted.
"This is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates how much progress we have made across the whole council over the past two years.
"However, we are not complacent about the work we still need to do to continue this improvement journey, but I believe we are now building the momentum to reach our goal of becoming one of the best London councils by 2012."
The Municipal Journal awards ceremony is on June 25.
