The Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) is a new framework which assesses how well local authorities are working together with other public service providers in England to meet the needs of the local people they serve. It came into effect in April 2009. The research purpose of this monograph comprises a threefold aim: it examines the question of whether CAA can be construed as a new performance measurement framework of 'joined-up' working or whether CAA constitutes a new surveillance instrument of the central government over local authorities. It critically analyses the strengths and...