Comprehensive Area Assessment
The Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) should be, in the words of Phil Hope (Minister for the Third Sector), a 'core lever for change' for the third sector.
From April 2009, councils (and their partners to some extent) will be assessed using the new CAA framework. It will include judgements about an area's progress on its key Local Area Agreement targets and, where appropriate, identify barriers to meeting those targets. CAAs will strongly influence local authorities.
The Audit Commission, who will carry out the assessments, are currently consulting on their proposals for the new CAA; closing date 5pm, Friday 15 February 2008:
http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/caa/index.asp
NAVCA would welcome any comments on any aspect of CAA by 8 February. They would particularly welcome views on the following:
1. The importance of the local third sector. Could an area be highly rated if there was an unhealthy local third sector? Will the CAA assess how much the local authority and LSP partners invest in the local third sector (eg healthy mix of funding [grants, grant-in-aid, SLAs, contracts], investment in LIOs)?
2. The importance of partnership with the local third sector. Does the CAA facilitate a (further) shift to culture of partnership with the local third sector. Could an area be highly rated if partnership work with the local third sector is undeveloped? Will local third sector engagement, and capacity to engage, in representative structures be measured? Will the adequacy of support for infrastructure services be assessed?
3. The Compact does not appear in the draft CAA consultation. Will there be a specific question about the Compact (as there is with the current system)?
Does it matter to you?
4. The Audit Commission is establishing a new post, the 'CAA Lead' for each area. Can the third sector contribute to the local CAA Lead's induction, and provide support around local VCS/local government relations?
5. The local third sector involvement in service delivery must be encouraged. Will the CAA find out whether the local authority and the LSP partners have improved procurement and commissioning practices and involved the local third sector?
6. The CAA rightly emphasises the importance of hearing the voices of marginalised groups. How will this happen (ie not just through local authority)? Is there an expectation that community groups will be engaged so that marginalised people are reached?
7. The CAA assessment process should involve the local third sector. It is not enough to consult the sector by simply consulting the LIO Chief Officer.
NCVO's summary of the CAA consultation is available here:
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/policy/index.asp?id=7704&terms=CAA
The Use of Resources assessment is part of the CAA. The Audit Commission are also consulting on this (same deadline, separate consultation) and on the Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) of the Use of Resources assessment (ie the detailed questions used by inspection teams):
http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgovernment/useofresources/consultation2009.asp