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Making the new assessment system for local authorities work is a ‘tremendous challenge' for auditors, according to a leading council chief executive. Darra Singh, of Ealing LBC, said the move to the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) was the right way forward, but had to recognise the critical role of councils, and not ‘mark them down' for the weaknesses of partnerships with other bodies. Mr Singh said: ‘The Audit Commission has a tremendous challenge in creating a new way of assessing public services in a locality. ‘We need an approach which recognises the critical role of local councils in driving, shaping and influencing partnership performance. The CAA will need to allow for adjustments to ensure a proper understanding of the quality of partnership working. ‘This is necessary in situations where, for example, a local council is working hard to maintain strong partnerships, but other factors mitigate against this.' An Audit Commission spokesperson said: ‘The Audit Commission will not hold councils solely accountable for failed partnerships under CAA, nor will we hand out penalties for any such failures. The whole point of CAA is that it will look at areas in terms of the outcomes for local people, rather than just individual organisations.' Any problems will be brought to the attention of the local strategic partnership to be addressed, and if they are not it will be up to the Government to take action to resolve any issues. ‘Part of the challenge for us and our partner inspectorates will be to ensure that the media and the public are clear about the different services that CAA looks at, and we would value councils' input into how this should work through our consultation with them.' The MJ and LocalGov.co.uk would like to clarify that the Audit Commission has not threatened to take action against councils' failing partnerships. Any penalties incurred will come from central government, not from any inspection body.

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WHITEHALL

CAA 'will be a huge challenge' says Singh

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