Oldham Council's registration service has been given a strong assessment in a national review by the General Register Office (GRO), which described it as a "highly effective and well managed service, delivering excellent performance across all statutory registration functions."

The review rated the service Satisfactory, the highest rating available, in two of the three areas it assessed: service delivery performance, and Public Protection and Counter Fraud (PPCF). The third area, certificate stock and security, was rated Moderate.

According to the review, the service exceeded national targets for birth and death registration and regularly performs above local, regional and national averages. Throughout 2025/26 it maintained 100 per cent appointment availability across all registration service areas.

During the assurance period, the birth registration performance rate was 99 per cent, above the national target of 98 per cent, and the death registration rate was 96 per cent, above the national target of 95 per cent. The service also met or exceeded almost all of the GRO's Key Performance Targets.

Oldham was among the first local authorities to go through the GRO's revised assurance process and the first in the North West to take part. The council volunteered to be an early participant.

The review also looked at how the service is run. It highlighted a resilient, multi-skilled workforce able to work flexibly across different areas of registration, with training and development support. It noted strong safeguarding arrangements, including links with Adult and Children's Safeguarding Services and processes for identifying and responding to concerns. Business continuity planning was another strength, and the review confirmed all certificate stock was accounted for and that records matched those held by the GRO.

On the Moderate rating for stock and security, the review identified areas where further improvements could be made. The council says it has strengthened its monitoring arrangements and brought in quarterly stock checks.

Fran Lautman, Assistant Director of Customer Experience, said: "We are incredibly proud of the outcome of this review, which recognises the strength of our Registration Service and how well it performs for residents."

She added: "Resident focus is at the heart of everything we do. Our team supports residents through some of the most important and emotional moments in their lives. They may be helping a family through the registration of a death one moment and supporting a couple on their wedding day the next, always delivering the same high standard of care, compassion and service."

Fran Lautman also said the council welcomed independent assessment and had already acted on the recommendations.

An action plan has been agreed with the GRO and will be monitored by the Proper Officer and Superintendent Registrar throughout 2026/27.