§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress with the grading of local authorities under comprehensive performance assessment; and if he will make a statement. [79591]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Audit Commission carried out corporate assessments in all English county and unitary authorities this summer, and published the assessment framework on 21 October. They are on schedule to meet the White Paper commitment to announce the final results by the end of this year.
209WDiscussions are now under way between the Audit Commission, Inspectorates, and pathfinder local authorities, to establish the way in which improvement planning can best be undertaken.
The Audit Commission is also currently consulting on the methodology to be employed in assessing district councils' performance as from January 2003.