Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CAA) will come into effect in April 2009 and will be of critical importance to all local public services, including the police. This is because it will incorporate an area assessment - a joint judgement on how well the area’s chosen priorities (as set out in the Local Area Agreement) reflect those of local people, how well these outcomes are being achieved, and the prospects for future improvement. This quick reference guide to CAA gives brief details of what the assessment will entail, and also shows how the new framework is developing. It incorporates hyperlinks to key documents from the Audit Commission, Communities and Local Government department and other key stakeholders.