PR 2492

COUNTY COUNCIL PREPARES FOR TOUGHEST TEST

For three consecutive years, since the introduction of the CPA (Comprehensive Performance Assessment) by the Audit Commission, Hampshire County Council has remained in the `excellent' category rating for local authorities.

But this year the targets have been raised significantly, the grading system has changed and for local authorities to stay at the top, even higher standards will need to be achieved.

Instead of a label rating of poor, weak, fair, good or excellent, councils will be judged on a 0 - 4 star rating (with 4 stars being the highest). A new rule based system has been introduced which requires set standards across the board - such as schools, social services, transport, waste management and libraries - which, if not met in full, impact on the final score. With the challenge of continuous improvement, this year also sees the introduction of a `direction of travel' statement which makes a judgement on the extent each authority is improving and the likelihood of further improvements .

Achieving `excellent' status in the past has allowed the council to have certain freedoms, such as less external inspections which, although important, can distract the attention of better performing councils unnecessarily from delivering quality services. In addition, some government ring fencing has been removed from social care grants which has given the council more flexibility.

Councillor Ken Thornber, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: "The bar has been raised this year and a new grading system put in place, designed to permit fewer local authorities to achieve the top four star rating.

"We are constantly striving to improve all our services. We know that we have continued to work hard to deliver the best services possible to the residents of Hampshire, through a wide variety of ways such as partnership working, community understanding and the dedication of our front line staff.

"Of course I hope that Hampshire County Council remains in the top category, but I understand that, now the goalposts have been moved, there will be many councils who will not achieve the top four star rating.

"Whatever the outcome, I am confident that we provide value for money, that we have established innovative and effective ways of working, and that complacency has no place in this authority."

CPA ratings for all local authorities in the UK will be announced on 15 December 2005.

ENDS

For further information please contact: Alison Taylor on 01962 845155

alison.taylor@hants.gov.uk

29/11/2005