ITEM CA7
CABINET – 19 FEBRUARY 2008
COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT 2007
Report by Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy)
Introduction
1. This report informs the Cabinet about the Council's performance under the Audit Commission's Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA).
Background
2. The CPA framework draws on a range of information such as performance indicators, assessments of corporate capacity, audit and inspection reports, and stakeholder opinions to reach a single judgement about the performance of a local body. Councils are awarded a star rating on a five grade range from 0 stars to 4 stars. Councils are also assessed on their rate of improvement in the previous year through a 'Direction of Travel' label. The assessment is updated annually.
Our Performance
3. The 2007 update of the County Council’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment has assessed the Council as a 3 star authority which is 'improving well'. The corresponding assessment for 2006 assessed us as a 4 star authority which was 'improving well'.
4. The drop in our overall rating masks significant improvements in most of the components which make up our CPA score:
· Improved to top scores (4 out of 4) for Fire · Improved to top score (4 out of 4) for Environment · Improved to top score (4 out of 4 for Culture · Maintained our score for Adult Social Care (3 out of 4) · Maintained our score for Use of Resources (3 out of 4) · Decline in performance for Children & Young People (2 stars out of 4)
5. The ‘Children and Young People’ score dropped from a ‘3’ to a ‘2’ primarily due to school exam results and technical issues relating to ‘safeguarding’ children.
6. The direction of travel assessment, which measures the Council's rate of improvement, has again been assessed as 'improving well'.
7. It should be noted that the score does not take account of the Corporate Assessment inspection the Council underwent in December. Results from this will be known in April and informal feedback from the Audit Commission is positive.
8. The trend in performance ratings is positive as the chart below illustrates. The maximum score obtainable for each element is ‘4’:
*score based on 2004 inspection. 2007 inspection results available April 2008
Next Steps
9. Whilst the Council is disappointed with the drop in the Council’s overall rating, it has no complaint about the focus on exam results. Plans are already in place to address the issues raised by the inspectors and it is the aim of the Council to regain the top 4 star rating in the 2008 annual assessment.
RECOMMENDATION
10. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) receive the report; and
(b) consider any necessary consequential actions.
STEPHEN CAPALDI Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy)
Background Papers: Nil.
Contact Officer: Paul Edwards, Corporate Performance Manager, Tel: (01865) 815307
February 2008
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