Councils do not think the Government's new inspection regime has "added value", according to an independent report.
The Audit Commission and Ofsted asked consultants KPMG to look at howwell the com-bined joint area reviews and corporate assessment processworked. The report found that none of the councils involved in earlyinspections felt that they reduced the burden of inspections or that thejoined-up process added value.
The report also recommended staggering the joint area review andcorporate assessment process. Ofsted said this was already happening forcouncils with elections taking place in May and that they would reviewthe issue in the autumn. The watchdog added that many of KPMG'srecommendations had already been implemented.
- www.ofsted.gov.uk.
