Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) is the most extensive initiative within the current Local Government Modernisation agenda, designed to measure service performance and delivery standards, as well as seeking to identify continuous improvement of quality local services.

It builds upon Best Value, in that it is based upon research, inspection and graded assessment.  Whilst Best Value focused upon specific services and themes, CPA provides a framework from which an overall assessment of performance can be judged. 

The overall concept of the assessment is based upon four Key Lines of Enquiry. These are:

1. What is the Council trying to achieve?
- Ambitions
- Prioritisation Focus

2. How has the Council set about delivering its priorities for improvement?
- Capacity
- Performance management

3. What improvements has the Council achieved/not achieved to date?
- Achievement of quality in service
- Achievement of improvement
- Investment

4. In the light of what the Council has learnt to date, what does it plan to do next?
- Learning
- Future plans

In responding to this challenge through the Corporate Self-Assessment, Guildford’s approach has been to concentrate on those areas that will bring greatest benefits to local residents and Council Tax payers.

This Council’s inspection will be undertaken by the Audit Commission for one week commencing 8 December 2003.

Enquiries should be directed to Paul Wells (Principal Management Support Officer)
on 01483 444026 or by e:mail to [email protected]