 | There is a lot of evidence, which is externally validated, that demonstrates that services are actually improving. For example:
The Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) is carried out by the Audit Commission and looks at how well local authorities deliver services against national standards. A council’s performance is graded between 0 and 4 stars, with 4 stars being the highest, and is accompanied by a "direction of travel statement" for which the ratings are "improving strongly", "improving well", "improving adequately", "not improving adequately", and "not improving”.
The CPA overall rating is based on a council’s:
~ use of resources
~ work with children and young people
~ adult social care
~ culture
~ fire and rescue
~ environment
~ corporate capacity to improve services
Since 2005 we have received an annual 3-star rating from the Audit Commission, and the “direction of travel” score shows we are “improving well” overall. This means that according to Audit Commission inspectors our services are generally good and improving. Inspectors awarded our use of resources (how well we manage our finances and provide value for money) a 4-star rating in 2007. The Audit commission's judgement is that our services are generally good and improving.
The joint Ofsted and Commission for Social Care inspection of the County Council in 2006 graded the overall performance in Children’s Services as a three. Our capacity to improve services to children and young people was graded as a four, the highest possible. For 7 year olds at Key Stage 1, 11 year olds at Key Stage 2 and 14 year olds at Key Stage 3, Warwickshire consistently performs, in the main, above Statistical Neighbours and National figures in English, Maths and Science. At GCSE Level Warwickshire pupils consistently performs in line with both Statistical Neighbours and National figures.
In January 2008, Ofsted has praised Warwickshire County Council’s Skills Delivery Group, Environment & Economy Directorate for its work with apprentices. The Skills Delivery Group received grade 2 on all aspects of the Health and Social Care provision when they were inspected in October 2007. The Ofsted grades are 1-4 with 1= outstanding, 2= good, 3= satisfactory, and 4= inadequate. The report stated that there was high success rates and very good progress of learners in health services and care. They were also praised for having good links with employers and learners benefiting from employer support. The overall success rates have increased to 85% on apprenticeship programmes and have remained consistently above the national average.
However, continually improving all our services is not easy and not every service is improving. Often the demand for services is growing faster than the budget needed to maintain the level of service to a growing customer base. Also it is a matter of which services are the highest priority.
To find out more about Council Tax please visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/counciltax |