We don't hesitate to criticise our councillors when things go wrong, so it is only fair that we should praise them when things go right.

A year ago, Oxford City Council was rated weak by the Audit Commission.

Now, inspectors say, there has been a significant improvement in the services the council is providing.

Council leaders acknowledge that more needs to be done if they are to become a top performing authority.

But the commission's report shows that they are heading in the right direction.

The danger is, of course, that the council will rest on its laurels and standards will fall again. This must not be allowed to happen.

This would not only be a blow to staff morale, but a costly one for council taxpayers.