22 November 2002
In an interview with Public Finance, James Strachan said the CPA was an obvious example of how the commission was going to become 'far smarter' about inspections. He said the regime would allow the commission to extract itself from 'micro-inspection' and use its resources more wisely.
Despite the criticisms of the CPA, Strachan maintained that the system had been a 'phenomenal success'. He said: 'There have been 150 CPAs put together in a very short time, and a lot of people who went through the process are saying that it has been incredibly helpful.'
He acknowledged that there will be some fallout when the CPA results are published on December 12, placing local authorities in five performance categories.
'Of course some people are going to be annoyed and upset because they think they deserve a different assessment. What is going to be interesting is the blurring of reactions. One is the true professional reaction and the other is playing politics. A key issue will be trying to ensure that the second of those doesn't totally distort the rest.'
He said that the CPA could be a blueprint for assessing other services, adding that the commission would be working closely with the new Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection, which will take over the commission's health work. It is due to be launched in 2004.
'Elements of the CPA are definitely the model for the future because I think we have gone wrong sometimes on trying to have checks and balances on the public sector.'
Strachan was speaking ahead of the expected publication on November 21 of the new freedoms and flexibilities for top councils.
Ministers were expected to detail plans to slash the proportion of funding authorities receive through ring-fenced grants, currently 14.5%. Proposals to slim down the number of plans authorities have to produce each year – and details of a 50% cut in the inspection regime– were also likely. The government was expected to cede its reserve capping powers in respect of high-performing councils.
Ministers were also due to give details on the type of intervention that failing councils will face, and to indicate what support would be given to councils to boost expertise.
Neil Kinghan, director of economic policy at the Local Government Association, said more of the £40m fund announced in the Spending Review to cover the costs of intervention in failing councils should go on developing skills.
'This money is very welcome, but we would press the government to make more money available to spend on building capacity,' he said.
Already £18m – £9m in top-sliced funding from the LGA and £9m from the government – has been earmarked to pay for initiatives such as peer support and management training.
PFnov2002
