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Contacts

Performance Management Unit
Kent County Council
Sessions House
Maidstone
Kent ME14 1XQ

Telephone icon24 hour helpline
08458 247 247

Email icon county.hall @kent.gov.uk

Comprehensive Performance Assessment

Our Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) rating was announced on 7 February 2008 and the Audit Commission has awarded us the highest rating of four stars for the sixth year running.

The Audit Commission is an independent public body responsible for ensuring public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively in local government, housing, health, criminal justice and fire and rescue services.

Each year, they assess the performance of UK local authorities and the services they provide for local people. This is the Comprehensive Performance Assessment, against which a council or other public service is given a rating.

CPA rating

The rating is based on:

  • periodic corporate assessments
  • annual use of resources, including value for money
  • service specific assessments carried out by the Audit Commission (or provided by outside bodies)
  • a self-assessment

The CPA rating also places greater emphasis on the public's perspective of services. The ratings are:

  • 4 stars (Excellent)
  • 3 stars (Good)
  • 2 stars (Fair)
  • 1 star (Weak)
  • 0 stars (Poor)

In addition to the star ratings, every council is also given a 'direction of travel' assessment, which indicates the progress being made to achieve improvements. There are four 'direction of travel' categories:

  • Improving strongly
  • Improving well
  • Improving adequately
  • Not improving adequately

Find out more about our performance and how it compares to other local authorities by visiting the Audit Commission's website (link opens in a new window).

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