Councils vow to end poor and weak CPA ratings

The Local Government Association made the promise as part of its manifesto submitted ahead of the political party conferences later this month.

Last year, more than 30 councils were judged either “poor” or “weak” in the CPA, the national system for measuring local authorities’ work.

Eight of these received the lowest score possible for their housing services, one of a number of services areas assessed in order to reach an overall score.

The LGA’s document included little detail about how the promise would be met, but it called for local government to be invigorated by increased devolution of power from central government.

It also called for national quangos such as the Housing Corporation to be made more accountable to councils.

“Central government’s obsession with national targets, ring-fenced budgets and unaccountable quangos is stifling further progress in improving local services and efficiency,” said Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, chairman of the LGA.

“Now is the time for government to commit to a bold and radical decentralisation,” he added. “Local government is itself committed to a decentralisation that empowers local people, organisations and the communities we represent.”