Fire and rescue performance assessment for 2007 and 2008
The Audit Commission has today published its fire and rescue performance assessment approach for 2007 and 2008.
The Commission has not made significant changes to the performance assessment approach adopted last year. Consultation responses indicated that fire and rescue authorities (FRAs) favour stability prior to the introduction of Comprehensive Area Assessment in 2009. Therefore, the overall assessment approach in 2007 and 2008 will remain the same. There will, however, be some changes to the detailed use of resources and direction of travel methodologies, on which we will consult the sector prior to their introduction in 2008.
The Commission's approach to assessing performance in 2007 and 2008 will again comprise three elements:
- an assessment of improvement, or deterioration, in performance measured through a scored direction of travel assessment. The assessment will be outcome focused and will draw together other assessments of the FRA;
- a scored use of resources assessment that will assess the authority across a broad range of financial issues, including a judgement on whether the fire and rescue authority is providing value for money; and
- a scored service assessment which has an emphasis on service delivery. It comprises an analysis of PIs and the OASD. The service assessment for county FRAs will also form part of the overall CPA for single tier and county councils for 2007.