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A package of local authority freedoms and flexibilities related to Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) categorisation was introduced in 2002. These freedoms served to remove central controls which could be barriers to improved service delivery.
The new local performance framework, set out in the October 2006 Local Government white paper, Strong and Prosperous Communities, provides many of the freedoms given under the original package and more. In February 2009 the framework for Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) was published, replacing CPA. Freedoms for more authorities have been designed into the new CAA system and within the new style Local Area Agreements (LAAs) there are opportunities for locally negotiated freedoms. There is no overall performance rating under CAA to pin freedoms to, which is equivalent to the CPA categorisation across the range of council services and functions.
In May 2009 Communities and Local Government published a consultation paper 'Proposed changes to the delivery of local authorities' and fire and rescue authorities' freedoms and flexibilities after the introduction of comprehensive area assessment' seeking views on how the freedoms and flexibilities package for local authorities and fire and rescue authorities, granted under CPA, can be treated under CAA in a way that is consistent with the move towards providing greater freedoms at local level.
The creation of the Innovation Forum was part of the package of freedoms, as was the removal of certain statutory plans. The forum closed for business in April 2008. New arrangements are being made to support local innovation and more information can be found on the Local Government Association (LGA) website http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=18433.
