Comprehensive Performance Assessment

Inspectors Report (PDF 413.4KB)
Special CPA Edition of InformAction (PDF 2.0MB)

What is Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA)?

Where does Comprehensive Performance Assessment come from?
Comprehensive Performance Assessment for district councils was developed by the Audit Commission with help from local government.

The Audit Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively, to achieve high quality local and national services for the public. Its work covers local government, housing, health and criminal justice services. As an independent watchdog, it provides important information on the quality of public services. As a driving force for improvement in those services, it provides practical recommendations and spreads best practice. As an independent auditor, it monitors spending to ensure public services are good value for money.

What is Comprehensive Performance Assessment?
Between July 2003 and September 2004 all 238 district councils in England will be inspected by the Audit Commission and be rated as either excellent, good, fair, weak or poor in a CPA report.

The keys steps are:

- Self Assessment
- Peer Challenge
- Inspection of Benefit Service
- Inspection of South Bedfordshire District Council
- Rating

What is Self Assessment?
The process started for South Bedfordshire District Council in October 2003, when the District Council carried out a self assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of its performance in relation to understanding the needs of the community and planning appropriate service delivery.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Documents referred to in Self Assessment

Key Projects involved in the CPA Assessment

Links

Further details about the Commission and CPA can be obtained from its web site - http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk
A summary of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate's report and assessment is available on their website - http://www.bfi.gov.uk

Contact details:

Elaine Malarky, Corporate Service Manager - Policy Tel: 01582 474121

The Council Offices
High Street North
Dunstable
Bedfordshire
LU6 1LF