In a statement in response to a letter from Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, Eugene Sullivan, Chief Executive said:
We were aware of the Secretary of State’s intention to abolish Comprehensive Area Assessment some weeks ago and wrote to local authorities, primary care trusts and other local service providers at the end of May, notifying them that all work under that heading would stop at once.
It was heartening to receive the Secretary of State’s confirmation of the efforts by the Commission and our partner inspectorates to coordinate our assessment work and avoid duplication. We share his determination to maximise the flow of information between the local inspectorates, especially where service failures in one part of an organisation are linked to its capacity to manage its overall corporate responsibilities.
The Commission’s duty is to support local public services to deliver the highest quality services at minimum cost but local bodies are, and must be, primarily responsible for improving their own performance.