Over the years the Commission has tried to make the most of technology to encourage improvement in performance management in local public services. It has aimed to make information more available and meaningful for others to use, through developing a range of tools such as area-based profiles, information profiles to support Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) development, value for money profiles and other tools to support recommendations given in national value for money studies.
Whilst a number of the Audit Commission performance information tools have been discontinued, the following continue to be maintained.
- Asset management financial comparisons tool allows councils to compare the value of their estates over time or for an individual year. It also allows councils to compare the capital spend on their estate, as well as capital receipts generated through the disposal of property.
- Audit fees comparator tool was developed to assist audited bodies to compare their audit fees against similar bodies. The tool is intended to make the Commission's regime more transparent to audited bodies and other stakeholders. presents information about authority fees graphically.
- Financial ratios analysis tool. This tool was developed to assist local authorities to compare their financial performance on a range of financial ratios against similar bodies. The tool is intended to help authorities monitor their financial performance. It builds on the analysis of financial ratios included in the report Summing up: A review of financial management in local government 2005-2008 published 23 April 2009.
- PbR National Benchmarker is a powerful online tool that compares acute hospital activity data, clinical coding and Payment by Results (PbR) related measures with other organisations. It can be used to inform many areas of work: efficiency and productivity, contracting, information, service redesign, quality accounts and data quality in general.
- Single person discount comparator tool that allows local authorities to compare their levels of council tax single person discount with their predicted levels, based on a national average. This tool illustrates the potential scope for tackling SPD fraud for each single tier and district council in the country.
- Value for money profiles for local authorities and fire authorities. You can select a local public body and see how its costs and performance compare with other similar bodies. The profile provides an overview of spending or you can delve into the detail and look at how unit costs and service productivity compare with others. It also tracks costs and performance over time so you can assess the impact of any improvements and efficiencies.