Frequently Asked
Questions
What is
Comprehensive Performance Assessment?
Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) is about helping local councils in England improve local services for their communities.
Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) is about helping local councils in England improve local services for their communities.
Where did the
idea come from?
The Government introduced CPA in 2002 as a new way of measuring and rating how local authorities deliver their services.
The Government introduced CPA in 2002 as a new way of measuring and rating how local authorities deliver their services.
How does CPA
differ from other assessments?
Instead of solely looking at specific areas of performance, CPA brings together judgements about all aspects of a council's work to produce an overall assessment of its performance and potential for improvement.
Instead of solely looking at specific areas of performance, CPA brings together judgements about all aspects of a council's work to produce an overall assessment of its performance and potential for improvement.
What key areas
does the CPA assess?
The CPA process looks at three key aspects of performance:
The CPA process looks at three key aspects of performance:
- A Corporate Assessment - an on-site inspection every 3 years of the overall management of a council and partnership working.
- Service Delivery - an annual assessment of the performance of the main front-line services.
- Use of Resources - an annual assessment of how effectively budgets are managed and assets are used to deliver priorities.
- The CPA process this year is particularly important for the Council, as it will undergo an on-site inspection as part of the Corporate Assessment element of the CPA.
How are councils
'graded'?
Scores for each of these 3 aspects are brought together to provide an overall performance category ranging from 'four star' to 'no star'. These are normally announced in December each year.
Scores for each of these 3 aspects are brought together to provide an overall performance category ranging from 'four star' to 'no star'. These are normally announced in December each year.
In addition the Audit Commission added one of four 'Direction
of Travel' labels to each council's 2005 CPA judgement:
- Improving strongly
- Improving well
- Improving adequately
- Not improving adequately or not improving
Who is responsible for
producing the CPA judgements?
The Audit Commission is responsible for producing the overall CPA judgements. The Audit Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is used economically, efficiently and effectively.
The Audit Commission is responsible for producing the overall CPA judgements. The Audit Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is used economically, efficiently and effectively.
What is Peterborough City
Council's current score?
Peterborough is currently rated 'Two Star' overall, and is considered to be 'Improving Well'
Peterborough is currently rated 'Two Star' overall, and is considered to be 'Improving Well'
Why is CPA important the
Peterborough City Council?
- It allows the general public to judge how well the Council is performing compared to others.
- It allows external inspectors to see just how well we are progressing as an organisation.
- It provides an opportunity for the Council to drive forward to the delivery of the improvements it has already identified.
- A successful CPA can further enhance the reputation of the Council and City.
- High performing Council's are given greater flexibilities and freedoms, e.g. less inspections and monitoring by external inspection agencies.
- A successful CPA can improve the morale of staff and Councillors.
- A successful CPA can help improve the recruitment and retention of staff.
What does the Corporate
Assessment look at?
There are 5 assessment themes:
There are 5 assessment themes:
- Ambition
- Prioritisation
- Capacity
- Performance Management
- Achievement
What does the
Achievement theme include?
Within the Achievement theme there are 5 sub-themes:
Within the Achievement theme there are 5 sub-themes:
- Sustainable Communities and Transport
- Safer and Stronger Communities
- Healthier Communities
- Older People
- Children and Young People.
What will this year's
Corporate Assessment process involve?
Phase 1 - Self assessment
Phase 1 - Self assessment
Peterborough City Council has to submit a self-assessment of
its strengths, weaknesses and achievements against a set of
questions provided by the Audit Commission. This has to be
submitted by 13 March 2006.
Phase 2 - On site inspection
Phase 2 - On site inspection
In June an inspection team will visit the Council to verify
claims made in the self-assessment. As part of this they will
interview a selection of staff, Councillors, residents, partners
and community representatives.
Inspection teams are normally made up of representatives from the Audit Commission Inspection Service, and peer councillors and officers from other councils.
Phase 3 - Report
In August or September the Council will receive a report from
the Audit Commission setting out their findings and
recommendations. This will impact on the Council's overall
CPA score.
Phase 4 - Improvement
Plan
The Council will need to ensure it addresses the areas for
improvement identified in the Corporate Assessment report and
monitors progress through its performance management
framework.