In 2007 the Department for Communities and Local Government drafted a joint ministerial letter commissioning seven inspectorates to work together to develop and deliver Comprehensive Area Assessment.

The Local Government White Paper Strong and Prosperous Communities set out proposals for a new, single and coordinated performance framework for local authorities working separately or in partnership. The stated aim is to make this new framework more proportionate, area-based and focused on outcomes. From April 2009, this new regime will be known as Comprehensive Area Assessment. The white paper proposed an enhanced role for councils as strategic leaders and place shapers through stronger Local Strategic Partnerships and next generation Local Area Agreements.

The Comprehensive Area Assessment will replace the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), Children's Services Joint Area Reviews, Annual Performance Assessment of services for children and young people and Social Services star ratings from April 2009.

Structural arrangements:

• Area Assessment

• Organisational Assessment

Five key content issues:

• Basket of indicators

• Green and Red Flags – risk assessment

• Use of resources and managing performance

• Joint working

• Delivering improvements in local priorities

• Is about people and places

• Will give people a snapshot of life in their local area each year

• Will provide an independent view of whether people are getting value for money from their local services

• Will be a mechanism for co-ordinating and rationalising inspection

• Will be a catalyst for further improvement in quality of life, the experience of local service users and value for money

Comparable Use of Resources (UoR) judgements for:

• Local Authorities

• Fire and Rescue Services

• Police

• Primary Care Trusts (PCT)

Accountability around specific targets:

• Housing providers

• Probation Service

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