The following resources may help to support your work in the use and interpretation of performance data and other information:
- Making the numbers work: A guide to help you make the most of your data
- Improvement Network (external link): Helping to lay the foundations for successful partnership working in local areas, the Improvement Network builds capacity for public sector managers and practitioners. It promotes its sponsors' collective knowledge and expertise on key improvement issues. It provides practical examples of cross-sectoral improvement.
- The Performance Management, Measurement and Information project (PMMI) (external link): The IDeA and the Audit Commission joined forces in the project to promote a joined-up approach on performance management. The aim of the project was to develop a common approach and language on performance management in all areas of work, from publications to consultancy and audit and inspection. It also created a range of resources to support local authorities in delivering improvement.
- Area Profiles (external link): A tool to help provide you with a rich picture of the quality of life and public services in your local area
- Comprehensive Area Assessment: Following extensive consultation with government, stakeholders and local people, the partner inspectorates have published the CAA framework. The framework sets out what CAA is and how it will be delivered from 1 April 2009
- Value for Money (VFM) tool (external link): Supports auditors in arriving at their judgments about whether councils are achieving value for money in their use of resources. While value for money features throughout the new Use of resources assessment under CAA, the tool will be of particular relevance in supporting work for KLOE 1.2, which asks "Does the organisation have a sound understanding of its costs and performance and achieve efficiencies in its activities?"
- Corporate services VFM indicators: Working with the other national audit agencies, we have developed a set of performance indicators to help public bodies benchmark their corporate services (finance, HR, ICT, estates and procurement). Use of the indicators is entirely voluntary, but we recommend them as a tool to improve value for money.
- Keep in touch with news and further developments through the Public Audit Forum (external link).
- Best Value Performance Indicators: The BVPIs were replaced by the National Indicator Set from 1 April 2008. However, you can still access previous years' BVPI guidance and data to aid your own local benchmarking and performance analysis.
- Office for National Statistics population data (external link): You can access the latest population estimates for your area.
- Neighbourhood Statistics (external link): Provides a large range of detailed statistics within user-defined geographic areas, including wards and super output areas.
- NOMIS (external link): A service provided by the Office for National Statistics, ONS, to give you free access to the most detailed and up-to-date UK labour market statistics.
- Health profiles from the Regional Health Observatories (external link): These provide a snapshot of health for each local council in England using key health indicators, and enables comparisons locally, regionally and over time.