Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th September, 2008 be approved as a correct record.

With regard to Minute No. 15 (CPA Direction of Travel), it was confirmed that a Members’ seminar was now scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 3^rd March, 2009.

Tim Littlewood, Principal Officer Performance Management, presented the submitted report which detailed how in October, 2007 as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) the Government published a consultation document outlining a new single set of 198 national indicators for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partners.  The measures came into effect from 1st April, 2008 and would be used as part of Government’s new performance assessment framework, Comprehensive Area Assessment.

This report set out the progress that had been made to date with introducing the national indicators and highlighted any issues and problems identified in relation to collection and reporting of the measures.

Of the National Indicators there were only three National Indicators that currently have no PI Manager assigned.  This was due to requiring clarity on ownership of the measure.  There were thirty-seven National Indicators that could not currently be reported on due to definition or data collection issues.

In addition, there were thirty-eight National Indicators could not currently be reported on, but they would be reportable by the 2008/09 year end.

Members of the Corporate Improvement Board expressed their concern at the length of time between reporting and performance reporting back given that the process was supposed to be simpler, but suggested that some of the training proposed for officers be extended to Members.

Discussion ensued on the inspection process, the driving forward of the Comprehensive Area Assessment through the Area Assemblies with appropriate training, sharing of results of the Place Survey with Co-ordinating Groups of Area Assemblies and consistence of reporting across the borough.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the issues and problems identified in relation to the national indicator set be noted.

(2)  That details regarding future training events be circulated to Members of the Corporate Improvement Board.

(3)  That discussion take place with the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods on the training requirements for Area Assemblies and their role in the Comprehensive Area Assessment process.

Tim Littlewood, Principal Officer Performance Management, reported that the self evaluation had been submitted to London, along with another eight authorities and feedback was anticipated before Christmas.

The self evaluation process asked authorities to highlight areas of good practice, whilst identifying strengths and weaknesses.  There was to be no scoring or ranking involved.

Discussion ensued on the critical friend analysis and the possibility of partner organisations considering their weaker areas and whether, in fact, they would want to highlight such a fact.  There was an element of scrutiny included.

A problem with linkage was identified and how all the process could be brought together, which was acknowledged as a concern.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the information be noted and the feedback awaited.

(2)  That a copy of the self assessment be provided for Members on request.

Tim Littlewood, Principal Officer Performance Management, reported on the scrutiny of the Local Area Agreement, which would also include performance of the new indicators.

The Local Strategic Partnership Manager was taking the Local Area Agreement refresh through the various stages and if there were any issues identified then the respective partner organisations would be invited in.

Resolved:-  That the information be noted.

This item was deferred to the next meeting.