Contact: Jenny Heath, ext 01962 847402

1 Summary

1.1 This report follows the Audit Commission's CPA categorisation of the council and general auditors comments. This report addresses the Council's overall direction of travel to drive continual improvement whilst specific recommendations are dealt with in the sister paper, Annual Audit and Inspection Letter Response. The following decisions are sought:

(a) That Cabinet support the development of the Comprehensive Performance Results (CPR) to make them more accessible and streamlined following the support and ideas generated from the Member and officer Performance Support Network (PSN).

(b) That Cabinet support the refocusing of the corporate review programme onto value for money as part of a developing value for money strategy to drive improvement and meet the requirements of CPA the harder test.

(c) That Cabinet approve a visit to a similar top performing authority to see what lessons can be learned to further improve the County Council's CPA direction of travel judgement.

2 Reason

2.1 It will strengthen the Council's overall ability to perform and specifically supports Aim 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Improving services).

2 Other options considered and rejected - none.

3 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - none.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable.

Approved by: .......................................... Date: ..............................

Councillor T K Thornber, CBE