COUNTY COUNCIL COMPLETES FIRST STAGE OF
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Hampshire County Council has completed the first stage of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment. The County Council is required by the local Government White Paper "Strong Local Leadership, Quality Public Services" to complete self assessment by 1 May 2002.

The 20 page document was reviewed and agreed by the Leader and Cabinet and sets in context Hampshire as a county and contains detailed information about what the council is trying to achieve; how the council has set about delivering priorities for improvement; its performance management; what the council has and hasn't achieved to date and what it plans to do next.

The Government has said councils that perform well under the CPA will be rewarded with more freedoms from red tape and inspections.

There will be a further two weeks of inspection before the Government's verdict is delivered in the autumn, when Hampshire will be rated into one of four performance groups: high performing, striving, coasting, or poor performing.

The document highlights the Council's Corporate strategy; Public Service Agreement (PSA), local strategic partnerships and community strategy; extensive consultation and high quality services as vital to further the ambitions of the County Council to meet community needs and aspirations.

Hampshire County Council has been chosen in the first wave of these reviews which will eventually cover all local authorities in England and Wales.

Commenting, Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber said: "We have taken into account our successful Ofsted inspection, positive letter from the District Auditor, the MORI survey that showed that 73% of residents were satisfied overall with our services - one of the highest ratings in the country - and the Public Service Agreement that could secure us an extra £20 million for services.

"We have had only a month to thoroughly and critically assess our many services. We have not only had to provide evidence of our performance, but also show how we will meet our planned corporate objectives. We have assessed our strengths and weaknesses and given evidence of where we have made improvements to services.

"There have been two white papers of more than 120 pages each offering local government many freedoms and flexibilities but not yet specifying what they might be so it has been important to engage fully in the self assessment process as if we are to free ourselves to provide services in the way people want.

"I only hope at the end of all this activity the County Council will be confirmed as providing Hampshire residents with first class services."

Ends

Vanessa Buckle (01962) 847367
30 April 2002
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