An area is defined as "the scope of any outcomes the council is delivering alone or in partnership". This includes an area as small as a neighbourhood, all the way up to Multi Area Agreements (MAA) and Sub-Regional Partnerships.

The Audit Commission state that "CAA is inherently about stability... as much as long term social and economic benefits, ensuring a strong, healthy and just society, as it is about environmental concerns...". In summary, the Area Assessment is about how well local public services are delivering better results for local people in local priorities - and how likely they are to improve in the future.

1. How well do local priorities express community needs and aspirations?

Recognise the role of Councillors as leading and representing their communities and councils but they have a “duty to involve” local people in decision making.

Community needs will be established by:

• Checking available evidence

• Seeking the views of partners

• Potentially contacting the public directly

2. How well are the outcomes and improvements needed being delivered?

• LAA - assess progress against Sustainable Community Strategies

• And any areas not in LAA that are of concern or represent significant success or innovation

• Particular focus on inequality

3. What are the prospects for future improvements?

• This question reflects the main purpose of the area assessment

• Draw on past and current performance

• Red and Green flags

• Will take a view on partnership working based on evidence not inspection (taking evidence from OFSTED and “few other” inspections)

The 'risk assessment' part of the inspection based on prospects for improvement. Good practice or significant concerns will be recognised through a system of flags. The Audit Commission state:

If a flag in the area assessment highlights concerns or very positive achievements regarding the contributions of a specific council... this may impact on the organisational assessment scores.

A red flag will indicate that significant concerns about outcomes, performance or future prospects are not being adequately addressed. If a council and its partners are tackling serious concerns urgently and effectively, we would not report a red flag – we would highlight this in our report to ensure that focus is maintained.

A green flag will indicate where others may learn from innovative or exceptional success in the area. It will represent more than ‘good’ performance or steady improvement that will be expected elsewhere.

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