Comprehensive Performance Assessment
Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA)
introduced by the Government's White Paper Strong Local Leadership
- Quality Public Services was the cornerstone of changes to the
performance management framework for local government. CPA was
about helping councils deliver better services to local
communities. It was part of a wider improvement agenda set out in
the Local Government White Paper.
Allerdale Borough Council has welcomed the
findings of a major report from the Audit Commission that rates the
authority as a 'fair' council.
Allerdale was among six authorities inspected
in Cumbria as part of the comprehensive performance assessment
(CPA) of district councils, which rates each as either excellent,
good, fair, weak or poor.
CPA inspectors spent a week on-site with
Allerdale councillors, officers and partner organisations.The
latest CPA report was published in 2003 and is available to
download below.
Their judgement describes Allerdale as "a fair
council which has made tremendous strides towards its vision of
reducing unemployment and seeking prosperity for all its
residents.
"Its achievements in the key area of
regeneration are impressive, including a firm contribution to the
positive trend in unemployment reduction through innovative
employment schemes."
The assessment found that the council is also
doing well in other areas:
- The streets and public spaces are generally
clean and the council is meeting public expectations in this
area.
- Weaker services such as waste collection and
recycling, and housing benefits, are improving.
- The council manages its finances well.
However, the assessment also found room for
improvement:
- The council needs to broaden its vision to take
into account residents' concerns in areas such as the environment,
transport, affordable housing and activities for young people.
- Resources available for housing renewal do not
match the council's stated objectives. Less than one quarter of the
previously estimated £80m needed for housing renewal has been
identified.
- Sickness levels are high and the council has not
focused sufficiently on issues of equality and diversity.
How are improving?
Each year, the council is assessed by
government on how well it is improving, this assessment is called
the ‘Direction of Travel’ (DOT). Allerdale Borough Council’s last
DOT assessment was for the 2006/07 year and whilst
recognising the progress we had made, also identified some
areas for improvement, we now have an action plan in place to
address these areas.
For more details please contact the Corporate
Improvement Unit on 01900 702730
Comprehensive Area Assessment
The Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA)
is currently under review by the government and is likely to be
replaced in April 2009 by the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA).
Whilst the CPA looked at the performance of individual authorities,
the CAA will look at how authorities work in partnership to improve
the quality of life for their communities. The focus will be firmly
on the quality of life you experience in the area that you live
in.
Allerdale Borough Council
