Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T23:06:21.762Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Assessing Public Service Performance in Local Authorities Through CPA - A Research Note on Deprivation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 March 2020

Dirk Haubrich*
Affiliation:
Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford
Iain S McLean
Affiliation:
Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford

Abstract

The UK Government places ever-greater weight on performance assessment of local public bodies through comprehensive performance assessments (CPA). However, the CPA assessment framework has been criticised for its disregard of local factors that are beyond the control of local authorities but that affect their performance. In this article, the assessment framework is described and three different studies are appraised that have investigated the link between deprivation, as one of these external constraints, and CPA performance. Suggestions are developed as to how the analysis can be improved, by extending the choice of dependent variables and explanatory variables so as to be able to use panel data as the investigative method.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 National Institute of Economic and Social Research

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Andrews, R. (2004), ‘Analysing deprivation and local authority performance: the implications for CPA’, Public Money and Management, 24[1], pp. 1926.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Andrews, R., Boyne, G., Law, J. and Walker, R. (2005), ‘External constraints on local service standards: the case of Comprehensive Performance Assessment in English local government’, Public Administration, 83[3], pp. 639–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Audit Commission (2001a), Strong Local Leadership - Quality Public Services, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
Audit Commission (2002a), A Picture of Performance: Early Lessons from Comprehensive Performance Assessment, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
Audit Commission (2002b), Comprehensive Performance Assessment - Scores and Analysis of Performance, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
Audit Commission (2002c), CPA Newsletter No. 7, October 2002, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
Audit Commission (2003a), Comprehensive Performance Assessment - Scores and Analysis of Performance for Single Tier and County Councils, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
Audit Commission (2003b), Understanding the relationship between CPA outcomes and deprivation, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
Audit Commission (2004a), Proposals for Comprehensive Performance Assessment from 2005 - Consultation Document, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
Audit Commission (2004b), CPA 2005: The New Approach - Single Tier and County Councils and District Council Comprehensive Performance Assessment from 2005, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
Audit Commission (2005a), Comprehensive Performance Assessment - Scores and Analysis of Performance for District Councils in England, 2003/4, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
Audit Commission (2005b), Service Assessment Frameworks - A Consultation Supporting Comprehensive Performance Assessments for Single Tier and County Councils from 2005 to 2008, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
Audit Commission (2005c), The Framework for Comprehensive Performance Assessment for District Councils - A Consultation Document, London, Audit Commission.Google Scholar
HMSO (1999), Local Government Act 1999 London, HMSO.Google Scholar
Jacobs, R. (2006), ‘Are composite measures a robust reflection of performance?’, Presentation to the Fourth NIESR Public Sector Performance Conference, London, British Academy.Google Scholar
NPI (2004), Comprehensive Performance Assessment and Deprivation - A Review by the New Policy Institute, a report commissioned by the Audit Commission, London, New Policy Institute.Google Scholar
ODPM (2004), The English Indices of Deprivation 2004: Summary (revised), London, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.Google Scholar
UNISON (2002), ‘UNISON's response to government consultation paper “Tackling Poor Performance in Local Government”’, London, UNISON.Google Scholar