Scores on the Doors - FSA Board Decision 12 March

You will be interested in this article on yesterday's decision to consult on a scores on the doors scheme. The decision does not follow the recommendation in the paper, in that it proposes a consultation on two alternative schemes:

• A three tier (Pass, Improvement Required and Fail (i.e. bad enough to close) scheme, as exists currently in Scotland and
• A four tier (Good, Satisfactory (i.e. broadly compliant), Improvement Required and Fail (i.e. bad enough to close) 3 star scheme

The closest to the London scheme is the second option, but this is effectively a reduction of three levels, because our current 'No Stars' is not applied just to premises that are bad enough to close. It also means that anything above 'broadly compliant' will be grouped together under the 3 star category - thus removing the incentive for improvement and full compliance.

There was a range of views amongst the FSA's Board Members, who mostly supported the two options above, but it was not conveyed to the Board the exact number of existing schemes and the high proportion of those that are 5 star schemes. Observers felt that in making the decision they did, they did not fully understand all the issues and significance of their decision and the paper presented contributed to that.

I attach for your reference a paper produced by the Transparency Data User Group to highlight the significance of the 5 star schemes in existence. One error in this is that it has not indicated the additional authorities outside London using our scheme, but you will see the vast majority of schemes are 5 stars.

The consultation will start in April and be for 12 weeks with a view to going back to the Board late summer and to launch by the end of the year.

I would like to invite you all to attend a meeting to discuss how we will respond as a group to the consultation. It is understood the Transparency Data authorities, who mostly also use 5 stars will be responding jointly also.

The meeting will be at Chadwick Court, Lower Ground Floor, Council Chamber 10.00-12.30 on Friday 11 April 2008. Please email Tay Potier to confirm attendance.

If you are unable to attend, please try to send someone who can represent the views of your authority.