Measuring performance

Our aim is for local authorities to provide the highest standard of service for the best possible value for money.

We monitor their performance through:

The Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA)
Best Value Performance Indicators
Inspections

The Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) is a new way of assessing local public services in England. It examines how well councils and other public bodies work together to meet the needs of the people they serve.

All the results are published by the Audit Commission so you can see what progress your council is making.

Best Value is how we encourage local authorities to make their services better and better by asking searching questions and listening to what local people say.

Communities and Local Government works with the local services inspectorates, like the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. We make sure they look at the councils that most need it and co-ordinate their inspection programmes.

If your council is doing well in certain services, it may have a Beacon Award to recognise this.

Find out more by visiting our site for local government practitioners.