Councils welcome abolition of Comprehensive Area Assessments

The coalition's programme of government launched today outlined plans to scrap CAA as part of its plans to scale back inspections for local authorities.

The framework was introduced last April to help reduce the burden of inspections on local authorities, but has been criticised for creating more bureaucracy.

Following today's news Conservative councillor David Parsons, chair of the LGA Improvement Board said: "The quantity of taxpayers' money which was being swallowed up by the inspection and assessment of local government was unsustainable. Council leaders have repeatedly argued against the wastefulness of the CAA system and the unacceptable burdens it placed on councils.

"In the current economic climate all public funds have to work as hard as possible. Councils need to be able to focus on delivering frontline services. The money freed up from the inspection regime can now be used to support the services people value the most and to keep council tax down."