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.
Conduct: Essex social worker suspended from GSCC register
01 October 2008
DH launches review of Scie, GSCC and Skills for Care
17 September 2008
CSCI inspection head denies claims of service decline
04 September 2008
Conduct
02 June 2008
Phil Hope succeeds Ivan Lewis as adult social care minister
DH study reveals councils still haven't embraced personalisation
Government has slashed primary care budgets, says Age Concern's Lishman
Details of government consultations
02 October 2008
Private Member Bills
25 July 2008
Government Legislation
25 July 2008
