Comprehensive Performance Assessment: A reflection
The PMPA is always interested in members' views on current issues in public services reform, public policy and public management. One of our members is undertaking some research into the effectiveness of the CPA process, and would be glad of your help in filling in this survey.

As councils and their partners prepare for the Comprehensive Area Assessment, this survey provides an opportunity for practitioners to reflect on some of the issues that made CPA a success. It is a follow up of a previous study done on implementing performance measurement systems in English Local authorities and looks more closely at the key factors that influenced high performance under CPA. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.

PMPA/BT Vision@Lunch Seminar Focusing on Outcomes to Deliver Strategy & Partnership
The BT/PMPA Vision at Lunch sessions provide a forum in which public managers and those with an interest in public service can hear from expert speakers and explore topical issues in public service management with a wider group of colleagues.

PMPA and BT wish to contribute to building a community of public managers who are “reflective practitioners” and who want to learn from each other, from public service leaders and from academics in public management.

Rob Hutchinson was formerly Director of Social Services at Portsmouth City Council, and was instrumental in advising the UK Government on the development of the “Every Child Matters” outcomes for children and young people. He is now an advisor to local authorities and other bodies on outcomes based accountability and will speak about his experiences helping organizations to use a focus on outcomes to develop partnerships for children and young people.

Sean Lusk has over twenty five years' experience of both policy and operational management in the Civil Service and for the last ten years has been a senior trainer and consultant with the National School of Government. He is currently researching the place of strategy within government.

Date: Tuesday 14 October, 12 – 2pm. Sandwich lunch provided.
Venue:BT Government Innovation Centre, 29 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1

To book a place:
Email: info.pmpa@cipfa.org.
Call: Janet Grauberg 020 7543 5683 or Jane Jones 020 7543 5720
Write: PMPA, 3 Robert Street, London WC2N 6RL

Latest PMPA Report
The Future of Local Government: Has It One? By George Jones, Emeritus Professor of Government, LSE. Foreword by Roger Latham, Vice President, CIPFA; formerly Chief Executive, Nottinghamshire County Council. Local government in Britain has become less powerful in recent years. In this important new PMPA report, George Jones OBE outlines what needs to be done to re-invigorate local government. Read more about this report.

PMPA/BT Vision at Lunch: Delivering Citizen Centric Services in a Joined-Up World
PMPA's May lunchtime seminar focused on the twin challenges of delivering citizen-centric services and improving value for money. To read about the Mid Suffolk District Council experience, and their successful joint venture with BT, click here.

Successful Academic-Practitioner Exchange
PMPA, PMM and the National School of Government joined forces on 5 December to hold a one day seminar on "successful academic-practitioner exchange". A report of this event, including summaries of presentations by senior civil servants and academics, and pointers for action, is now available here.