Comprehensive performance assessment (CPA)

Shropshire County Council has continued to improve its performance over the last year, and strengthened its position as one of the best councils in the country.

The local government watchdog The Audit Commission has rated Shropshire County Council a “four star” council, that is “improving strongly” – for the third year running. This is the highest rating possible.

In its annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment of Shropshire County Council, the Audit Commission said: “Service costs in education and social care are amongst the lowest nationally whilst educational and social care performance indicators are amongst the best and improved further this year. Despite this value for money has been improved further this year.”

The Audit Commission report looks at how performance measures have improved and concludes: “73 percent of performance indicators have improved over the last three years (which ranks Shropshire 17th out of all 388 authorities). 67 percent of indicators have improved in the last year which is well above the national average.”

External inspection has shown that Children and Young People’s services and Adult Social Care services are maintaining a very high level of performance, achieving 4 out of 4. Cultural services were given the top score, and environment services has maintained it's performance.

The Audit Commission has also ranked Shropshire County Council 4 out of 4 for the Use of Resources, again achieving 4 out of 4 for Value for Money.

Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive of Shropshire County Council, said: “Outstanding results like these, year on year, reflect very well on the council’s staff and councillors. They should also give confidence to people, businesses and partner organisations across Shropshire. They mean that the council which delivers over 80% of council services in their local community is performing at the level of the best in the country."

Malcolm Pate, Leader of Shropshire County Council, said: “We have put the needs of Shropshire people at the centre of everything that we do, and we have been successful in delivering to them excellent services that give them great value for money. This remains our goal, and we are very encouraged by this ringing endorsement from The Audit Commission."