Almost 40% of a poll of upper tier councils do not believe the CPA was carried out fairly and transparently while 35% believe the inspectors were weak and a further 17% describe them as poor, according to a Municipal Year Book survey.

While 41% of those surveyed also say the inspectors were good, only 6% say they were excellent. The survey also found scepticism about the freedoms promised to top performers, with over half saying they are not enough to inspire them to attain an excellent grade. The freedom most desired is the reduction of ring-fencing (54%) followed by removal of plan requirements while 20% welcome the power to trade. Almost three quarters say the reduction in the number of plans will allow them to focus on service delivery. Almost half (43%) believe a CPA rating should be revised every three years while 33% say it should be annual and 20% every two years. The next full re-rating will in fact occur in 2006 although low performers can be regraded at the end of this year. A quarter of those polled they have never or hardly ever used the power of wellbeing even though the same number believe it enables them to take a lead in community partnerships and strengthens their role. A further 7% are still working out how to use it.