Comprehensive
Performance Assessment
CPA 2006
  Bexley's
latest CPA score
The Council received its first corporate assessment in 2002. The local government watchdog, the Audit Commission, inspected councils against 9 themes and ranked them according to how well they performed against a set of exacting standards. Overall ratings were based on the results of the corporate assessment and a set of 'core service scores'. Bexley, along with only 17% of English councils, received the top rating of 'excellent'.
This feat was repeated in 2003 and 2004 with the council maintaining its excellent rating – confirmation that Bexley's services are among the very best in the country.
In 2005, the Audit Commission reviewed the CPA methodology to make it a more stringent test of performance. Titled 'CPA – The Harder Test' the new model stresses the importance of effective partnership working and is focused on assessing how well the council is delivering outcomes for local people. Under the new model, councils are rated from zero to four stars. In December 2005 and again in February 2007, Bexley was judged to be a 4-star authority under the new framework, once again maintaining the top rating (one of only 7 London boroughs to achieve this rating). The 4-star rating was based on the results of the 2002 corporate assessment and 2006 annual core service scores assessed against the 'CPA - Harder Test' criteria (CPA 2005)
The Council's first corporate assessment on-site inspection, under the 'Harder
Test' framework, took place in September and October 2006 and the final
report has now been published.
Bexley was judged as 'Performing Well' and achieved a score of 3 out of 4.
The Lead Inspector commented that the Council was focussing on delivering
for local people following significant political change in the previous six
months.
The Inspector's report noted a range of strengths and no significant weaknesses.
Highlights included -
- A clear ambition based on a good understanding of the needs and aspirations
of the various communities.
- Clear priorities for the current year.
- Good value for money for local taxpayers.
- Effective partnerships that help the Council provide sound and good services.
A full report of the assessment is available on the Audit
Commission's website
Overall Comprehensive Performance Assessment ratings are based on five levels,
from zero to four stars and combine scores from both the Corporate Assessment
and key service areas - Children & Young People, Use of Resources, Adult
Social Care, Environment, Housing, Culture and Benefits.
Scores from the last round of CPA reporting (February 2007) are below.
Return to top of page
Current CPA scores
Corporate Assessment Score*
(based on on-site inspection in 2002 – see Full Inspection report) |
Key Question |
Theme |
Unweighted Score |
Weighted Score |
What is the Council trying to achieve? |
Ambition |
3 |
3 |
Focus |
4 |
4 |
Prioritisation |
4 |
4 |
How has the council set about delivering its priorities? |
Capacity |
3 |
3 |
Performance management |
4 |
4 |
What has the council achieved/not achieved to date? |
Achievement |
4 |
12 |
Investment |
3 |
6 |
In light of what has been learnt, what does the council plan to do next? |
Learning |
4 |
4 |
Future plans |
4 |
4 |
Total Theme Score |
44 |
Overall Corporate Assessment Score |
4 |
Core service star rating* (updated in February 2007) |
Service |
Star rating |
Service |
Star rating |
Children & Young People's Services |
3 out of 4 |
Culture |
2 out of 4 |
Social Care (adults) |
4 out of 4 |
Benefits |
3 out of 4 |
Environment |
3 out of 4 |
Use of Resources |
3 out of 4 |
Housing |
4 out of 4 |
Core Services |
4 out of 4 |
*Scores are on a scale of 1 to 4, where 1 indicates below minimum requirements - inadequate performance, and 4 indicates well above minimum requirements - performing strongly.
Return to top of page
Joint Area Review of Children & Young People's Services
The Children's Act 2004 requires that once every three years councils
will go through a Joint Area Review (JAR). This inspection assesses all local
services for children and young people whether delivered by statutory, voluntary
or private providers in receipt of public funds or other public resources.
Judgments are made on how far the council, with its partners and other local
agencies are working together to achieve the five 'Every
Child Matters' outcomes
for children and young people -
- Being healthy
- Staying safe
- Enjoying and achieving
- Making a positive contribution
- Achieving economic well-being
Bexley's JAR was conducted at the same time as the Corporate Assessment.
The overall grade given by inspectors for Bexley's Children's and Young
People's Services was '3 - good'. This places Bexley among the top 25% in the
country. The full JAR report is available on the Children's
Trust website |
