Meeting documents

1 THE ISSUE

1.1 The report contains an update on progress made by the LAA Project Board on developing a Local Area Agreement for Bath & North East Somerset, and sets out current work on priority areas for developing stretch targets as part of the LAA.

2 RECOMMENDATION

2.1 The indicative priority areas for stretch targets (attached at Appendix One), and the current LAA Draft Outcomes Framework (attached at Appendix Two) be adopted as the basis for the further work by the Project Board required to prepare the first draft LAA.

2.2 That the detailed first draft LAA, including detailed performance indicators and other required information, be presented to the Executive at its October meeting.

2.3 That work on the LAA be linked fully with the proposals for the Service and Resources Planning process reported elsewhere in this agenda

3

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

3.1 Bath & North East Somerset's first Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA) attracted £920,000 in pump-priming funds into the area and it is expected that significant performance reward grant will also be gained. Similar sums will potentially be available through the LAA, now that the "reward" element has been incorporated into the LAA process. The Executive has earmarked £50,000 from PSA performance reward grant to `pump-prime' the development of the LAA.

4 COMMUNITY STRATEGY OUTCOMES

4.1 Appendix Two sets out how the proposed LAA framework contributes to the Community Strategy ambitions. These are set out in detail below:

5 CORPORATE IMPROVEMENT PRIORITIES

5.1 Appendix Two sets out how the proposed LAA framework contributes to the Corporate Plan improvement priorities. The main relevant priorities are set out in detail below:

6 CPA KEY LINES OF ENQUIRY

6.1 The LAA blocks contribute significantly to the CPA key lines of inquiry set out below:

o Sustainable Communities and Transport

o Safer and Stronger Communities

o Healthier Communities

These outcomes are set out under the relevant blocks

These outcomes are set out under the relevant blocks

7.3 Appendix One sets out list of potential areas for stretch following the work undertaken by the Project Board, drawing on areas of work with robust data and where a stretch is considered feasible. Appendix Two sets out the wider outcomes framework for the LAA. This framework has evolved following work with partners and a range of engagement and development activities, co-ordinated by the Project Board, and set out in Paragraph 11 below. The Local Strategic Partnership has also ensured that all Key Partnerships in the area have contributed to the outcomes framework. Work within local communities has also provided opportunities to emphasise a local focus for the delivery of the LAA outcomes.

7.4 An earlier draft of the LAA outcomes framework was reported to the Corporate Issues and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 27 July. Members supported the proposed outcomes framework and discussed the criteria for developing stretch targets. Members also stressed the need to focus on broad outcomes rather than simply improvements to service delivery. They also suggested that stretch targets should also lead to sustainable improvements by using existing resources more efficiently. Members proposed that stretch targets should be owned by relevant Executive Members but that each LAA block could be linked to a specific O&S Panel who would scrutinise the delivery of the LAA in that block.

7.5 The next key milestone is the requirement to provide a full first draft LAA to Government Office by the end of September 2006. This draft will contain detailed indicators, including mandatory outcomes relevant to our LAA, and associated funding streams. For example, if our area, working with partners in the West of England, is successful in attracting New Growth Points funding, the LAA will be required to contain performance indicators linked to this funding. The first draft document will also contain proposals for the "governance arrangement" for the LAA, setting out proposed roles and relationships to ensure effective delivery and performance management.

7.6 This work will be subject to a further report to the October Council Executive. GOSW are content that this deadline meets the requirements of the LAA process and aware that the draft presented to them will be subject to the October Executive's determination.

7.7 A second draft LAA will be required by the end of December, following a period of negotiation with GOSW. A finalised document will be agreed in February 2007, ready for implementation in April 2007.

8 RISK MANAGEMENT

8.1 The report author and Lead Executive member have fully reviewed the risk assessment related to the issue and recommendations, in compliance with the Council's decision making risk management guidance. The LAA Project has been subject to risk assessment procedures.

9 RATIONALE

9.1 Bath & North East Somerset Council is the accountable body for the LAA and, through its Community Leadership role, has a key interest in ensuring that the LAA outcome framework and potential stretch targets are robust. It is important therefore that the Council Executive considers an update on progress on the LAA at this stage

10 OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED

10.1 None

11 CONSULTATION

11.1 Executive councillor, Parish council, Town council, Overview & Scrutiny Panel, Trades unions, Other B&NES Services, Local residents, Community Interest Groups, Youth Council, Stakeholders/Partners, Other public sector bodies, Section 151 Finance Officer, Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer

11.2 Significant engagement with partners and local communities has taken place on the development of the LAA. As well as detailed discussions with partner and voluntary and community sector agencies, specific events have been held, including community events in Bath, Midsomer Norton and Keynsham. A mobile event in the Chew Valley was also held on 22^nd and 23^rd August. A "roundtable" event for Town and Parish Councils was held on August 8^th and a community event organised by the Bath South Local Committee took place on 11^th August. These events have contributed significantly to the development of the outcomes framework and a detailed report on the LAA arising from the Bath South event will be reported to the Bath South Local Committee at its meeting of 5^th September. A draft of this report was circulated to Trades Unions on 15^th August 2006

12 ISSUES TO CONSIDER IN REACHING THE DECISION

13 ADVICE SOUGHT

13.1 The Council's Monitoring Officer (Council Solicitor) and Section 151 Officer (Resources Director) have had the opportunity to input to this report and have cleared it for publication. Advice has also been sought from the Director-level sponsor for the LAA and the Strategic Directors' Group.