THE Government spending watchdog has criticised Hertfordshire County Council for its community engagement and poor financial asset management.

The Audit commission - charged with ensuring public money is well spent - judged the county council to be performing well overall, but identified areas of weakness.

A report, published today, states: "People feel that they cannot influence the decisions that are made in Hertfordshire and community engagement is weak."

It went on to say: "The maintenance of asset databases is poor and this means the council finds it difficult to get the asset figures in its annual accounts right."

A review of the council's children's services concluded it was performing adequately, but identified room for improvement, recognising a lack of skilled social workers as one problem.

However, the report praised the council for tackling issues that matter to local people such as reducing crime and recycling.

It said: "There are high levels of satisfaction amongst residents, especially with Hertfordshire as a place to live and people's sense of the value for money they are getting. This is because it delivers good services in a challenging environment. It manages its performance well, and ensures that it provides the services which residents need. "

The council's adult care services was also judged to be performing well.