What is CPA?

The Audit Commission is assessing every council in England to see how good their services are and whether they will improve and how well the council is run. CPA stands for Comprehensive Performance Assessment. The audit Commission will give the council a rating of:

• Excellent
• Good
• Fair
• Poor

To see how other councils have been scored go to www.audit-commission.gov.uk

It matters because the rating will affect the extent to which we will be given freedom and flexibility to deliver our local priorities and underpins our reputation for effectiveness with the community.

The council is being inspected by the Audit Commission during 29 March 2004 – 2 April 2004. And will also visit on 22 March 2004.

The inspection team consists of:

• Phil Jones - Team Leader
• Terry Atkins - Public Spaces
• Tim Driver - Housing
• Sarah Adams - General

The team already has access to reports and performance information as well as the Self Assessment report (see CPA Submission Feb.04 - link on left-hand side of the page).  They have already conducted reality tests to see if what we said about ourselves stands up and will also be meeting different groups of people and individuals as well as observing meetings. They are free to visit our offices and talk to any member or employee during their visit.

At the end of the inspection they will issue a report outlining their score and other issues of significance. This will probably be available in June and will be published in the local press.

The Council welcomes CPA and will benefit from this external assessment.

Update: July 2004

Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council has been rated as an 'Excellent' council.

If you have any queries or would like more information please contact the Policy Team, telephone 01743 281133 or email policy@shrewsbury.gov.uk.