On Monday 19 November 2007, the Audit Commission, Commission for Social Care Inspection, Healthcare Commission, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, HM Inspectorate of Prisons, HM Inspectorate of Probation and Ofsted published the first joint inspectorate consultation on the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA).
This consultation invites views on proposals for the overall shape and scope of CAA. In particular on:
- the assessment of risk in an area, including what we mean by risk and area;
- how the different elements of CAA will fit together;
- the sort of evidence we will use and how we will gather it, and how assessing risk depends on assessing performance;
- reporting to, and engaging with, the public and how CAA will maintain a clear focus on improving performance and being a catalyst for innovation;
- how CAA fits with the other performance frameworks; and
- how CAA fits with Sustainable Communities Strategies, Local Area Agreements and the role of regional Government Offices.
In 2009 Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) will supersede 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.
