Performance and performance measurement
We are committed to providing high quality services at a price people can afford. In order to demonstrate this and to provide measurements of our performance. There are three key sets of performance information.

1. Comprehensive Performance Assessment
The overall performance of all authorities is assessed in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA). This has been the cornerstone of the performance framework for local government since its introduction in 2002. The framework was revised in 2005 with the introduction of an assessment of progress on implementing improvement (Direction of Travel), and a change in the assessment categories for current performance from descriptors ('good', 'excellent') to a star rating system (4 stars = best). Wandsworth is one of only four councils in the country to have achieved a four star rating and been judged to be "improving strongly" for each of the three years since the framework was changed in 2005.

The 2007 assessment of 4 stars for current performance is based on a combination of the score from the 2007 Corporate Assessment of our ability to improve and analysis of performance indicators, a use of resources assessment and service assessments. We are one of only two local authorities to have achieved the highest possible scores on all five themes covered in the use of resources assessment.

2. Corporate Business Plan (replaces the Corporate Performance Plan)
The Corporate Business Plan (CBP) sets out our objectives and priorities for improvement, the plans to achieve them and also includes the medium term financial strategy. This gives a picture of the overall framework within which we work to improve services and achieve value for money. The 2008 Corporate Business Plan meets the statutory requirement for authorities to publish performance on the 2007/08 Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) and a brief statement on whether individual contracts entered into comply with workforce requirements in the Code of Practice on contracts.

3. Performance indicators
Every Council in the country is required to publish performance indicators (PIs) for the twelve months ending March.The PIs are independently verified by the Audit Commission and allow a comparison of the performance in providing services of UK authorities. We also operate to corporate standards for answering the telephone, letters and emails and responding to complaints and suggestions.