1. What is Benchmarking? “Stealing Ideas Shamelessly” (Roger Milliken, Entrepreneur) “Creative Swiping” (Tom Peters, Management Guru) “The objective of the CIPFA Benchmarking Clubs is to provide our members with information about each other that they find interesting, hopefully useful and not too tedious to collect” (David Henderson-Stewart, Founder of CIPFA Benchmarking)

2. What is Benchmarking? Benchmarking is about: Sharing useful information Providing comparisons so that you understand how your authority compares to your peers Measuring performance and identifying improvements Understanding costs and identifying efficiencies Networking and exchanging ideas and good practice Benchmarking is NOT about: Creating league tables Labelling authorities as “good” or “bad”, “best” or “worst”

3. ‘ The AD found this useful when using this information to prove to the Board, Leaders and other meetings that Wandsworth does offer “value for money” especially in these times when savings are being sort.’ Coral Miller, London Borough of Wandsworth ‘The analysis provided as part of the CIPFA Benchmarking Club has proved extremely valuable over the past few years. The unit cost and composition analysis has directly contributed to the way we commission services.’ Andrew McLean, Commissioning & Partnerships, Lincolnshire Examples from our members

4. ‘The meetings enable best practice and consistency to be discussed across the Council’s returns and is a good platform for support and networking.’ Christina Marshall, Senior Accountant, Surrey ‘Once again, we found the opportunity to network and share information with our peers at other local authorities invaluable...’ Jane George, Leeds City Council ‘CIPFA Benchmarking… has given members the information required to approve additional income and substantial efficiencies for the Council.’ Peter George, Cumbria County Council Examples from our members

5. The Financial Assessments Benchmarking Club follows a proven formula to ensure you get the most from the process. Here’s how it works: Each year, a steering committee made up from club members, decides what to benchmark Data is then collected through user-friendly questionnaires Draft reports are sent out allowing quick feedback and for you to check and amend figures if needed The data is validated and sent to you as the final and interactive reports and club database The review meeting gives you the opportunity to discuss issues in detail with members from other authorities How do CIPFA Benchmarking clubs work?

6. It gives you the comparisons you need to manage all aspects of your service by examining these key areas: The cost of the assessment process Workload measures Staffing levels and grades Type of staff involved in the process Location of the staff in the organisational structure Charging policies and methods Collection and payment methods Performance indicators, e.g. speed of assessment IT systems Self-directed payments Re-assessment procedures Income recovery Why Financial Assessments Benchmarking?

7. Sample questions

9. Sample report pages

11. Find out more To view timetable and prices and to see example questionnaires and reports visit: www.cipfa.org/benchmarking Or get in touch with Andrew Hill with any questions on 020 3117 1854 or at benchmarking@cipfa.org