A REPORT looking at the performance of public services across the country has judged Lewisham and Greenwich Councils to be "performing well".

Prison and Probation services, the Audit Commission, the Care Quality Commission, HM Inspectorates of Constabulary, and Ofsted have been working together to provide an independent overview of the quality of life in your area.

The Oneplace report commended the two councils' general performance giving particular praise to Lewisham's children services, which were given a rating of 'excellent' by Ofsted, and Greenwich Council's "good arrangements" to reduce carbon emissions.

But there is still work to be done. Oneplace spokesperson for Greenwich, Jan Hunter, said: "Children are now doing better at school but fewer 19-year-olds have a qualification than elsewhere.

"Local people are less healthy than in many other areas, and on average men die earlier in Greenwich than in other parts of the country. Crime is high though it is beginning to reduce."

Meanwhile the Lewisham section of the report stated: "The main challenges are delivering decent homes for all, regenerating two of the major town centres and further raising performance on reducing crime, tackling health inequalities and improving education outcomes."

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock said: “This assessment confirms the council, the police, the local health and fire services and other key partners are working well together to make Lewisham the best place in London to live, work and learn.

"It also helps us focus on those areas where we know we still have more to do to reach the very highest standards."

To read the report in full, visit oneplace.direct.gov.uk