The Audit Commission, which annually assesses public sector performance, concluded that South Hams Council performs well overall because it is doing well the things local people feel are priorities and delivering good services.

South Hams District Council has been praised not only for delivering high quality services at low cost but also doing well in the issues which local people think are important.

The reports and scores were released 9 December 2009.

Please use the links below to view these documents

Organisational Assessment 2009- Full
Organisational Assessment 2009- summary
Use of Resources 2008/09

Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) is the new framework through which the major public service inspectorates will together make independent assessments of how well people are being served by their local public services (CAA to be introduced April 2009). Its focus is primarily on the prospects for better outcomes locally rather than the internal workings of individual organisations. The CAA process will cover a wide range of issues such as the strength of the local economy, availability of affordable housing, children’s well-being, how safe people feel, support for individuals to improve their health, provision for the vulnerable, and the quality of the local environment.

The new inspection regime forms part of the Performance framework which takes effect 1 April 2009. Work has already commenced in preparation for the assessment which will form part of an evolving programme of visits from the external Auditors (Audit Commission).

The new inspection regime is replacing Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) which started in 2002 as a way of reviewing performance of a Council. Councils were inspected by a team from the Audit Commission and are put into one of five categories:  Poor; Weak; Fair; Good; and Excellent.  South Hams District Council was reviewed in 2003 and the Inspectors rated us as an Excellent authority.  We do, however, recognise that this doesn’t mean we are perfect!   The inspection not only pointed out things we do well, but it also drew attention to things we could definitely do better.

The Oneplace website will hold all information in a centralised web tool to show all assessments: Organisational, looking at individual authorities; plus Area assessments, which will look at County area incorporating all inspectorates.