Ealing challenges ‘weak’ assessment

A High Court challenge to the Audit Commission’s rule that no
council with a zero-star rated social services department can be
given anything higher than a “weak” comprehensive performance
assessment rating was launched this week.

ndrew Arden QC, for Ealing Council, said the commission had
allowed itself to be dictated to by the Commission for Social Care
Inspection and had “fettered its powers” to make a decision of its
own.

In December, Ealing received a “weak” 2004 CPA rating, down from
“fair” in 2002 and 2003, because its social services department had
been awarded no stars.

Richard Gordon QC for the Audit Commission said it was “lawful
and proper” to use CSCI ratings to determine councils’ CPA
ratings.