Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy




 

Comprehensive Area Assessment

Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) will come into effect in April 2009, replacing Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) for English councils, as well as children’s services joint area reviews, annual performance assessment of services for children and young people, and social services star ratings.

Further Information on CAA can be found on the Audit Commission’s website at: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/caa/index.asp

Or for members of CIPFA’s Performance Improvement Network, there is a quick reference guide at: www.cipfanetworks.net/pin/documents/default_view.asp?content_ref=7490

This page is designed to act as a one stop shop for all authorities as they look to respond to the challenges of CAA providing links to relevant advice and support provided throughout the CIPFA Group. It will be continually updated as more information and products become available.

CAA News

Public Finance Magazine - News - Child experts ‘concerned over CAA’
The report calls for the implementation of the CAA to be closely monitored ... It also suggests the CAA should be conducted just once every three years...
www.publicfinance.co.uk/news_details.cfm?News_id=59682

Public Finance Magazine - News - CAA will take financial downturn ...
The local government watchdog has said its new inspection regime will take the effects of the recession into account….However, the Audit Commission warned this did not mean councils should stop striving to improve social outcomes….
www.publicfinance.co.uk/news_details.cfm?News_id=59731

Courses and Seminars

Networks Seminars

CIPFA’s Networks division is running a special series of workshops that will consider the implications of Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) on local public services in England. The events will cover the finance, governance and performance management implications of the new framework, and identify some of the key lessons to be learnt from those areas that piloted the CAA methodology during 2008.

CAA will be of critical importance to all local public service bodies, including councils, police forces, fire & rescue authorities, and primary care trusts. It will incorporate an area assessment (a joint judgement on the area’s chosen priorities as set out in the Local Area Agreement), and organisational assessments for councils and fire & rescue authorities, which will look at how well they are managing performance and use of resources.

These seminars will run in Birmingham - 18/03/2009, London - 19/03/2009 and York - FULLY BOOKED - 26/03/2009 and can be booked at: www.cipfanetworks.net/pin/events/default_view.asp?id=825

Further seminars will be run by CIPFA Networks during the year and details will follow on this page as they are announced.

Multi Area Agreement Conference

This event will run in June and look at how Multi Area Agreements are promoting joint working across public bodies, vital to successful CAA outcomes. Details to follow shortly.

Publications

Partnership working will be key to achieving the successful outcomes for local areas that CAA is designed to promote. CIPFA is planning key publications on Governance of Partnerships, Use of Pooled Budgets in Social and Health Care and other guidance to support authorities as they work to make partnerships effective. Details to follow shortly.

Networks

CIPFA’s networks will be providing support to member organizations throughout 2009. Further information on the Networks, including details on membership can be found at: www.cipfanetworks.net