Service delivery - overall core service blocks for 2007
The services included in CPA have a significant impact on the quality of all our lives:
- Education
- Social services
- Housing
- Transport
- Welfare benefits
- Waste
- Planning
- Library and leisure facilities
CPA also delivers a picture of the council as a corporate entity, recognising the importance of councils as community leaders, forging effective partnerships and delivering on national and local priorities.
CPA service block assessments provide judgements of local performance which take account of relevant national service delivery requirements across seven service blocks:
| Service area | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits The council's performance in providing housing and council tax benefit services. The assessment is made by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate and is based primarily on achievement against the 2005 housing benefits/council tax benefits performance standards. |
3 | 3 | 4 |
| Children and Young People The council's performance in providing children's services, such as children's education and social care. The joint assessment is made by the Commission for Social Care Inspection and Ofsted following a review of the council's overall performance and key indicators. |
3 | 3 | 3 |
| Culture The council's performance in services, such as libraries and leisure, as assessed by the Audit Commission. |
4 | 4 | 4 |
| Environment The council's performance in services, such as transport, planning and waste, as assessed by the Audit Commission. |
3 | 4 | 4 |
| Housing The council's performance in community housing and, where applicable, housing management services, as assessed by the Audit Commission. |
2 | 3 | 3 |
| Social care (adults) The council's performance in adult social care services. The assessment is made by the Commission for Social Care Inspection following a review of the council's overall performance and key indicators. |
3 | 3 | 3 |
| Use of resources Annual assessment, as part of each council’s external audit, and covers five themes. These are financial reporting, financial management, financial standing, internal control and value for money. |
2 | 3 | 3 |
It is a tremendous achievement increasing the score of the benefits service block to the top score and maintaining all other scores, including the maximum four out of four for both the environment and culture service blocks.
Although there have been some significant changes to the detailed mechanics of the service blocks, the overall principle remains similar to previous years and each service block is scored on a scale of 1 to 4.
Descriptors for each score are shown below, with 4 being the highest:
- 4: Well above minimum requirements - Performing strongly
- 3: Consistently above minimum requirements - Performing well
- 2: At only minimum requirements - Adequate performance
- 1: Below minimum requirements - Inadequate performance
The report to full council explains the scores for each service block in detail.
