As the comprehensive performance assessments approach the end of their natural life, what do council bosses think of the regime so far – and what do they think should replace it. In the second of our debate lunches, The MJ and business process services firm Vertex recently invited council chiefs from the Midlands to talk about the inspections. The debate took place under ‘Chatham House’ rules, so the comments are not attributed to individuals. Attendees are listed below. Did CPA achieve what it set out to do? ‘You can criticise the process fairly, but the outcome has been beneficial. Last year and this year, there has been a lot of unnecessary tinkering. But even the Audit Commission recognises CPA has come to the end of its natural life.’ ‘I think it did try to focus on corporate local authorities – to separate the corporate from the services, which was a good thing.’ ‘It was a catalyst to get local authorities to think about how to improve.’ ‘It is different for district councils. For districts it is well past its sell-by date. There is a feeling that there is no prospect to improve your score – even if you got a good score. There’s now a feeling of hopelessness.’ ‘The politicians have lost interest.’ ‘I’m not quite so negative. I think it’s done a good job.’ ‘I don’t think the Audit Commission has done enough in terms of intervening in poor-performing authorities.’ ‘Some leaders used it as an excuse to get rid of chief executives.’ ‘The Audit Commission now admits it got some authorities wrong.’ How important is it for you? ‘In my previous authority, the members would not engage. Belatedly, the leader cottoned-on to how important it may be and said, “I wished I had engaged”.’ ‘It is a 24 maybe 48-hour headline.’ ‘Local people will hear about it once. But when you do something wrong, they will bring it up.’ ‘Generally, it has had a more positive than negative impact. But for the public, there has been very little impact.’ ‘It may have an impact in attracting staff.’ ‘It’s hugely motivating to get a good score. I know of authorities which have had a weak CPA score. It has been hugely devastating and they are still trying to get over it. That is destructive.’ ‘Our “excellent” housing department doesn’t want to be part of the organisation.’ Does the harder test make a difference? ‘At present, it is adding to the artificiality of how it feels.’ ‘It’s harder but it’s more unfair.’ ‘It’s the member’s choice. If you want to do well at CPA, you gave to play their game.’ ‘Our inspection report said we were “only reaching the minimum standard”. In the descriptive text, it said the authority had “improved beyond all measure from three years ago”. That has a huge impact on the motivation of staff. And it’s discrediting CPA.’ ‘“Embedded” what does that mean? There is an idea that it may have a timeframe attached to it.’ ‘The first corporate inspection team was crap. The second time was much better.’ ‘The quality of the inspection teams are hugely variable. They decide what they are going to find before they even get there. We knew we were in trouble within the first half-hour. I think a lot depends on the relationship with the inspectors.’ ‘What does robust mean?’ What would you want CPA to be? ‘I would want a greater involvement of the local community. It’s not about what the Audit Commission thinks but the people who keep telling me they pay my wages. One method is a citizen’s panel, but it’s not perfect.’ ‘I’m not sure I’m as comfortable with that approach.’ ‘In two-tier areas, there is a real lack of clarity about who does what. If it’s about the public realm, then fair enough. But if it’s about the performance of a specific organisation then its not.’ ‘The new CPA has to have timely performance information. We are improving rapidly and the current mechanisms don’t use current data.’ How do you balance national standards with local priorities? ‘My view is that more attention has been given to this issue than is deserved.’ ‘The move from current CPA to the Local Government Association’s vision is too big a step.’ ‘The LGA document – People and places – is not going to be owned by the local government family. We weren’t consulted on it. It’s a bit like producing a community plan without consulting the public. It has not involved local government. ‘Whatever the Audit Commission does, we will never get away from inspection.’ ‘We conduct an annual customer-satisfaction survey. The one area where satisfaction is plummeting – which is not ours – is highways services. We get the blame for it.’ ‘It’s dangerous if we get a bit arrogant, if we forget why we are here. We are here for the public, not serving the Audit Commission, and not even for serving central government.’ What do you think will happen to CPA in the future? ‘I think it will be something around Local Area Agreements.’ ‘There are lessons to be learned. It needs some serious trailing. It puts a premium on the skills of the inspection team.’ ‘Post-CPA inspection of districts will be minimal. It will be very targeted and only to those who are failing. It comes down to resources. It will ignore those getting better.’ ‘I’m not sure about inspections around LAAs. They are fraught with difficulties.’ ‘We don’t expect to be inspected for two years – inspectors will now concentrate on the weak authorities.’ ‘I think it will focus more on LAAs because that is where the Government’s priorities lie.’ ‘For district councils, the focus is on the annual audit letter and the direction of travel statement.’ Will there genuinely be a lighter touch? ‘I think the standard the inspectors are expecting will be just as exacting, but will be in the annual letter. There will be more tick-boxing.’ ‘Value for money will get bigger and bigger, and the ones judged poor and weak will be inspected more.’ ‘The only thing that seems to matter is where we are in best value performance indicators. The only way to do it is to be 50% and above on BVPIs.’ n