The assessments propose to bring together data from performance indicators, inspections and corporate governance assessments. The Audit Commission would then produce a score card covering all council services and assign the town hall a performance category.
The idea was to simplify commission findings for residents, but critics complained that the process trivialised the work of local government.
The LGA warned that the assessments would have to pass four key tests to work. They must deliver freedoms and flexibilities to local government; the funding must be in place to help councils improve; the score cards must focus on producing improvement plans, rather than acting as town-hall league tables; and the new regime should result in "lighter touch" inspections of councils by the Audit Commision.
"LGA members want to get the process right, rather than simply sticking to a rigid and potentially unrealistic timetable," said association chair Sir Jeremy Beecham.
Source
Housing Today
No comments yet