Audit Commission

Transition from CPA to CAA

In 2009 Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) will take over from the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) of local government. CAA will continue to provide assurance about how well-run local public services are and how effectively they use taxpayers’ money. But it also aims to be more relevant to local people by focusing on issues that are important to their community. It will develop a shared view about the challenges facing an area, such as crime, community cohesion, a sustainable environment or public health issues such as obesity, and will also create a more joined up and proportionate approach to public service regulation.

In April 2007, the Audit Commission published ‘The evolution of regulation’ presenting their initial thoughts on CAA to provide a starting point for widespread discussion over the coming months. At the same time, they are continuing to work with other inspectorates to develop CAA and there will be joint consultation on proposals at the end of 2007.

CPA 2007 and the transition year 2008/09

The Audit Commission have published The transition from CPA to CAA (210Kb). This consultation document included questions relating to CPA 2007 for the next round of national reporting which will be published in February 2008, and the transition from CPA to CAA in 2008/09. Very minor changes to CPA were proposed for the coming year. For the transitional year, a number of substantial amendments were considered, including possible changes to service assessments for single-tier and county councils. This consultation closed on 14 June and responses are currently being considered. The Audit Commission aims to publish the final CPA 2007 framework for single tier and county councils at the end of July.
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Use of resources consultation for 2008 assessments

On 26 April 2007, the Audit Commission published for consultation their proposed changes to the key lines of enquiry for the 2008 use of resources assessments for single tier, county and district councils. 2008 will be the last year that they assess councils under the current Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) framework, but they expect use of resources to remain as an important element of the new Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) from 2009.

Without anticipating the detail of CAA, they are proposing some changes to the key lines of enquiry for 2008 to help smooth the transition to the new performance framework. The White Paper Strong and Prosperous Communities indicated several issues and policy priorities that will need to be reflected in use of resources assessments under CAA. The Audit Commission is proposing to give more emphasis to these issues in 2008 to avoid too big a change the following year and to give councils time to plan and manage their response. They are also responding to the significant improvements in council performance for 2006 by continuing our policy of gradually raising standards.

Click here to access the Consultation on us of resources (2008).
Click here to access the Proposed KLOE for assessments starting in 2008.
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Audit bodies join forces to drive value for money agenda

The UK's five leading audit bodies have developed a suite of indicators to help public sector managers challenge and improve the value for money of their corporate services. A joint report, published today by the Audit Commission, Audit Scotland, the National Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, and the Wales Audit Office, includes five sets of indicators which allow organisations to assess the value for money performance of their:
• finance;
• human resources;
• information and communication technology;
• estates management; and
• procurement.

These services have been identified by the government as priority areas for increasing efficiency and releasing resources for use in delivering front line services. Local authorities and central government departments across the UK are facing pressure to make significant efficiency savings in the coming years, alongside more effective service delivery. The indicators are therefore underpinned by a focus on better outcomes for service users as well as value for money. The indicators have been designed to ensure that public bodies will be able not only to assess their own value for money performance but also compare their results against other public sector organisations everywhere in the UK.

Click here to read the full article.
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