Meeting documents

7.1 We are a three star council and improving well. This is the verdict of the government's Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) in their annual judgement of all councils.

7.2 The overall council performance position this quarter shows that 58% of our performance indicators are meeting or exceeding their target (green). There are action plans in place for all areas where performance did not hit target.

7.3 Our three year Local Area Agreement (LAA) is now half way through its first year. The LAA sets out clear priorities for tackling crime and improving local environments, as well as improving health, the economy and services for children. The LAA will attract new funding into the area as well as providing ways for existing resources to be better used and will underpin how we work with other organisations in Bath & North East Somerset to deliver services. This report includes its "stretch targets", challenging targets that have been agreed with government that will bring extra funding if we achieve them. Our performance against our LAA stretch targets this quarter shows that 66% achieved target.

7.4 Following the election Community Safety indicators and Affordable Housing indicators were allocated to the Resources portfolio, and this is where they were reported in the first quarterly report. However, since then, Community Safety and Affordable Housing issues have been transferred to the Cabinet member responsible for Adult Social Services and Housing. This quarterly report therefore has been amended to reflect this.

7.5 Latest achievements are included in the body of the report, highlights of main achievements between July - October 07 include:

7.6 The Annual Performance Assessment of our Children's Services concluded that Bath and North East Somerset Council consistently delivers services for children and young people at a good level in all respects. Standards are above those of similar authorities and well above national averages for most indicators.

7.7 We have seen improved performance in SATs, GCSE and A level results and a strong improvement in the achievement of our children in care. At Key Stages 2 and 3, we have achieved the highest results compared to our statistical neighbours and other local authorities in the South West on almost all indicators. Our GCSE results have shown sustained improvement over the last four years, increasing from 60% achieving 5 A*-C in 2004 to an excellent 68% in both 2006 and 2007.

7.8 The Minister for Transport announced "programme entry" for our £54m Bath Transport Package and Regional Assembly agreed to increase funding. The transport package is a programme of transport measures developed with stakeholders, residents and partners which aims to improve transport opportunities and the quality of life for all travellers and residents in the City. It includes a bus rapid transport scheme and new and expanded Park & Rides and will underpin the Council's Vision for Bath, the City's World Heritage Status and achieve swift access via the Bath Western Riverside regeneration site.

7.9 Recycling performance is at an all time high for Bath & North East Somerset. As an authority, we continually reduce how much we throw away and currently send 58% of waste to landfill, a 3% reduction on this time last year. Our recycling facilities may be expanded further through Tetrapak's offer to establish five recycling banks and provide funding to service the banks for two years. We are currently investigating suitable sites, the first of which will be in Bath as there are currently no tetrapak recycling facilities in the city.

7.10 Maple Grove had an "unannounced inspection" by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) in May 2007 and was scored as excellent - the highest score possible - and was commended for its person-centred service delivery. Maple Grove is in the process of re-providing its service from residential care to supported living. The process has been very person-centred and commended by CSCI for the inclusion and involvement of clients.

7.11 Redesign of the Council's public website has been launched to much acclaim. It includes a GIS facility which uses interactive mapping for users to locate key local services on a map and "my house" enables users to access information using their postcode. The system has also been linked to the police website to enable community safety information by postcode. Information is also available by street or by ward.

7.12 To demonstrate our commitment to customer service we have an ambitious 2 year programme to achieve the Charter Mark standard for all services, which is progressing well. Customer Services, Libraries and Information, Fashion Museum and Assembly Rooms have all recently been successful in achieving the Charter Mark accreditation. In addition, the Annual review of Corporate Body of Evidence has been refreshed and assessed by CMAS. Result demonstrated continuous improvement since May 2006.

7.13 Another joint project between the Adult Learning Difficulties Service and Environmental Health Services has been successful in getting funding from the Food standards Agency. We have a grant of £10,000 to expand and further develop "Feel Good Food", our healthy box scheme of healthy, tasty and nutritious food with easy-read pictorial recipes which can be cooked a enjoyed at home. We were one of only 16 successful bids and £10k is a full 5% of the nationally available grant.

7.14 Six people with learning difficulties have moved out from residential care at "The Limes" Keynsham, into independent supported living in Keynsham. The Limes is now being converted into further flats for people with learning difficulties. This is a significant element for our Joint Commissioning Strategy for People with Learning Difficulties.

7.15 The winners of the Council's Staff excellence awards have been chosen from nominations received from the public and from members of staff. An awards panel of officers and members have selected 8 individuals and 3 teams to attend an awards ceremony and lunch in November.

7.16 The Council provided assistance to Gloucester during their flood crisis including over 180 contacts with local businesses to help identify public health issues.

7.17 £222K Heritage Lottery funds have been received for works in Royal Victoria Park. In addition, Royal Victoria Park has won a Green Flag Award for the fifth consecutive year.

7.18 Bath & North East Somerset are once again top of the South West region for our burial and cremation services.

7.19 A public consultation exercise on the future for Bath & North East Somerset was launched on 25th September in parallel with the Core Strategy.

7.20 The `Building of the West of England' conference for local contractors was held in Bath to highlight opportunities from major developments and support available through the West at work project.

7.21 Improved Awards for Midsomer Norton (Silver Gilt) Radstock (Silver) in the 2007 In Bloom awards including two awards for outstanding contributions, one in youth inclusion on The Verge project.

7.22 The Bath Business Crime Partnership has reached a new high with 102 members

7.23 Since successfully achieving Charter Mark, the Revenue & Benefits Service continues to improve its performance: quarter 2 performance results indicate that processing of new benefits claims and change in circumstances are now in the top quartile and our Council Tax Collection for 2006/07 was in the best 50 Councils (out of 400 ) nationally. We anticipate a similar outcome for 2007/08.