Local authorities must take responsibility for their areas in their roles as community champions when it comes to the new Comprehensive Area Assessment says Audit Commission chair, Michael O'Higgins. He told The MJ this week: ‘The CAA risk assessment will be of the area as a whole, not just of the local authority, which will therefore not be marked down for the failure of a partner. ‘However, the area itself might be identified at risk. Since local government is given the lead in place-shaping, I'd expect it to take a lead role in sorting things out. ‘That's the challenge of community leadership.' His comments follow concern from some chief executives that their councils will be blamed for partners' failings in the new CAA, which takes effect from autumn 2009.
