CPA - single tier and county councils

This page provides a gateway to information about CPA for single tier and county councils. Use the links below or those on the left hand side of the page to navigate the CPA website.

Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) was first introduced for single tier and county councils in 2002. Since then it has evolved in response to changes in the operational and regulatory environment, rising public expectations and the performance of local government itself.

In 2005, this changing context was reflected in CPA – the Harder Test, which was a more stringent assessment with greater emphasis on outcomes for local people and value for money. We will continue to refine CPA to ensure that it remains an effective tool to support improvement and the delivery of services to local people.

These pages contain more information about CPA and its development:

• CPA framework and the key elements:
• Direction of travel
• Use of resources
• Service assessment; and
• Corporate assessment and programming.
• Annual CPA scores and analysis
• Transition from CPA to CAA
• Reports examining learning from the CPA experience
• Development of CPA since 2002

You can use the find your authority tool to access information about individual council's assessments.