COUNTY COUNCIL - CABINET/LEADER - 16 MAY 2002

COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

1. At its last meeting the Council received a report on the impact of the Local Government White Paper "Strong Local Leadership - Quality Public Services". One of the key elements of the White Paper was the introduction of the concept of Comprehensive Performance Assessments (CPAs). In summary each local authority will be the subject of an assessment process at the end of which it will be placed in one of the four categories of high performing, striving, coasting, and poorly performing. The County Council has been placed in Phase I of the corporate inspection under the CPA framework and as part of this has been required to submit a self assessment of its capacity for improvement. This self assessment will inform the fieldwork for the inspection by a team drawn from the Audit Commission, Government Inspection Unit (OFSTED or Social Services Inspectorate) and representatives of other local authorities which will take place during May as the start of a process of evaluation, interviews and feedback culminating in a final decision as to the County Council's category in the late Autumn.

2. The self-assessment approved by the Cabinet highlights some of the major achievements of the County Council and the high level of public satisfaction with the services it provides, but at the same time recognises areas where improvements can be made, and outlines the steps being taken to do so. Whilst the Cabinet broadly welcomes the principles behind the changes proposed in the White Paper and the opportunities presented by CPA, attention has been drawn nonetheless to the tight timescale of the full CPA and the enormous demand on staff resources associated with it.

3. The full text of the County Council's CPA submission is available on the County Council's website or from the Chief Executive and a paper copy has been sent by the Leader to all Members.

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