The corporate and service based “snapshot” CPA is based on something the Audit Commission calls “Key lines of enquiry”. These are simply a framework which the commission use to make their judgements. Sport is part of Cultural services, for the purposes of inspection, and there are two judgements, how well the service is functioning now (Judgement one - How good is the service) and whether the council has the capacity to improve the way that it will deliver in the future (Judgement two – Prospects for improvement) The key lines of enquiry for culture are;
Judgement one – How good is the service
- What has the service aimed to achieve? – This one is not scored, it provides the context for scoring the rest
- Is the service meeting the needs of the community and/or users?
- Is the service delivering value for money?
Judgement two – Prospects for improvement
- What is the service track record on delivering improvement?
- How well does the service manage performance?
- Does the service have the capacity to improve?
Under each of these broad questions these is a set of more specific questions, and each of these has a descriptor. These descriptors say what a “good” service might look like, and what a “poor” service might look like. These are couched in language that talks about providing consistent services, above the minimum, making wider contributions, these are the good judgements. Conversely, services that provide only the minimum requirement, that have some examples of good practice but don’t apply it everywhere, will be judged as poor.
On all these judgements, the auditors are looking for evidence, and in most cases, they are looking to make sure that documents you produce have been approved by the council. They also need to see consistency with corporate objectives.
Key lines of enquiry
Key lines of enquiry for culture and leisure
In the future the emphasis will move away from what your service is providing, and how well, towards the effect that it is having, and the contribution that it makes to improving people lives. If you are not already doing it, working in partnership now with crime and disorder partners, health partners and community partners (see partnership working) is essential if you are going to be able to demonstrate the value of your service in the future.
(CASE STUDIES)
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