Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) is the way the Government assesses how we are performing overall as a council. Torbay Council like all local authorities is assessed annually by the Audit Commission and other bodies and given a rating from no stars to 4 stars. The most recent annual assessment was in February 2008 and despite tougher inspection standards we moved forward in a number of areas and were officially rated as a ‘a 2 star council, which is improving well’.

As part of the Government's CPA process, Torbay Council produces a Value for Money Self Assessment and a Direction of Travel Statement. The Value For Money Self Assessment demonstrates how we are achieving value for money including how current costs compare with other service providers. It also outlines how we compare and review our costs in relation to both performance and priority.

The Direction of Travel Statement briefly outlines what has changed over the last year in terms of outcomes for the community and you as service users and the difference we are making to Torbay and its residents.

In commenting on our most recent Direction of Travel Statement the inspectors said Torbay Council, "…is improving well. The Council has significantly improved key services. It has reduced waiting times for adult social services by working well with the Care Trust to integrate health and social care. The Council has greatly improved educational attainment results, particularly in key stage four. Its approach to regeneration has achieved successes such as harbour and business park improvements and several parks and beaches have received awards. The Council has increased recycling levels and crime levels remain low. It needs to work further on reducing fear of crime and improving public satisfaction with the Council. The Council is making progress in developing and implementing plans to sustain improvement. It has strengthened its vision. The community strategy and corporate plan provide improved direction for the Council and its partners and these are more closely linked to business planning. The Council is improving its approach to equalities and diversity and needs to further embed outcomes. It is investing in councillor development and governance arrangements are working more effectively. Human resources and workforce planning remain challenges and improvements in performance management have yet to be embedded.”

Torbay has also undergone a corporate assessment and the outcome of this inspection was announced in a report in May 2007. The corporate assessment is one element of the overall CPA framework and the results of this most recent inspection informed our star rating in February 2008. The inspectors rated the council as ‘performing adequately’ with regards to the corporate assessment.

The report notes that the council is now a stronger community leader and services for local people are improving. It highlights that the council and its partner organisations have a strong vision for Torbay of ‘A clean, safe and prosperous Bay’. The aim being to develop Torbay, through economic regeneration, attracting new businesses and more tourists, into a safe, fear-free and tolerant community, which is a great place to live and work, underpinned by good quality education for everyone. The report says that “…this is a challenging agenda and the council is already delivering significant major regeneration developments…”

CPA Scorecard 2007 (published March 2008)

Value for Money Self-Assessment (published March 2008)

Direction of Travel Statement (published March 2008)

Corporate assessment report (published May 2007)