Meeting documents

2. Cost-effectiveness

· Increasing an "index of cost effectiveness" which is intended to show our performance improvement in relation to cost. Further details on the 34 indicators used to calculate the "index" score are available on request.

Issues and Actions

· The figures have not been updated from the last report but are well ahead of target

1. Increasing bus usage / public satisfaction with transport information

· An additional 125,000 bus journeys (over the last 2 years of the PSA)

· Increase in satisfaction with public transport information (DETR survey 2000 was 34%)

Issues and Actions

· Following consultation last year we have now finalised, published and distributed our Bus Information Strategy.

· Actions undertaken to improve `satisfaction with public transport information' include:

Production of 100,000 new Public Transport Maps, distributed to every B&NES residential address, Production of new timetable leaflets for supported bus services, Improved the range of information on our web pages. Purchased software to automate the production and presentation of our roadside timetable information displays. Purchased a laminator machine to prevent timetables fading and being water damaged.

· Work on the A37 Joint Quality Partnership bus route has been instigated, including new bus stops, new bus shelters, lay-by and pavement extensions.

· In the process of ordering data capture equipment in order to commence a programme of punctuality and reliability surveys of both commercial and supported bus services. The results of these surveys will be periodically sent to bus operators to help them improve their services.

· Due to staff resource issues last year, our initial progress on the project was slow and the budget allocations for the first year were unrealistically high. However with the arrival of addition staff resource we have now made very good progress and we will spend all of the PSA revenue and capital allocations.

2. Older people's quality of life and independence

Benefit of reaching the PSA stretch target:

· 2.5 more households (per 1,000 population over 65) receiving intensive home care

· 64 more people over 65 receiving 5 or more hours of home care (6 visits per week minimum) for 4 or more continuous weeks during the year

· An additional 14 people aged 65 or over receiving a Direct Payment to spend directly on the service they want

· 2 fewer supported admissions of older people to permanent residential/nursing care per 1,000 population aged 65 or over

Note: This part of the PSA has interim targets for the year-ending March 2005 which will result in payment of 20% of the performance reward grant when achieved

Issues and Actions to be taken

· The number of people receiving intensive home care has improved significantly however there are reservations about the sustainability of improvements in this area. This is due to the fact that a number of older people with intensive needs are able to purchase their own services, while others with intensive needs are willingly provided for by carers with relatively small levels of support from the Council

· The increase in the estimated figure for the admissions of supported residents aged 65+ per 10,000 to residential/nursing care is the result of higher than expected numbers of older EMI clients. However the general trend is declining and it is expected new interventions such as the provision of extra care places and the in-reach nursing team will assist in the reduction of the number of residential and nursing care placements.

· The pump-priming budget was not spent last year but the money has been rolled over to this year and is identified against schemes.

4. Improving secondary school attendance

Benefit of reaching the PSA target:

· 0.2% fewer half days missed due to authorised absence

· 0.1% half days missed due to unauthorised absence

Issues and Actions

· The DfES has recently issued guidance to LEAs on revised methods for setting attendance targets for 2007/8 (two years after our PSA agreement ends). Whilst this doesn't necessarily alter the prospects for meeting the PSA target it may mean that resources will have to be refocused on different schools.

· Similarly new DfES requirements on the collection of attendance data from schools will require the refocusing of resources.

· Although there was a reduction in total half days missed of 0.2%, a more rigorous approach by schools to the marking of registers, and in particular to the issue of family holidays in term time, has meant a slight rise in the number of half days missed due to unauthorised absence, from 0.7% to 0.8%.The expectation is that in the long run (perhaps 2 - 3 years) there will be a change in parental attitudes, leading to a reduction in these types of absences. From September 2004 the Council has been able to issue Penalty Notices to parents who do take their children out of school without the absence being authorised.

· Over £15,000 (47%) of budgeted pump-priming funds were unspent last year because delays in the PSA being agreed meant that we were unable to start the project work until October

Benefit of reaching the PSA target:

· 2 additional care leavers obtaining 5 or more GCSEs at A*-C

· An additional 15% of looked after children still in education, training or employment at 19

· 4 additional care leavers with at least 1 GCSE at A*-G or a GNVQ

Issues and Actions

· Non-availability of GCSE through New Start centre at City of Bath College - need to develop alternative strategies for individual young people who need this provision

· Ensuring 100% looked after children and care leavers aged 16-19 have complete and up-to-date Pathway Plans - not yet achieved - improvements to quality assurance and monitoring, focused support for this work from stretch target project

· Reviewing contract, policy, procedure and budgets for provision of PC's to looked after children, foster carers and care leavers following end of 2 year Quality Protects capital grant for this part of the work

· Restoring and improving regular monitoring reports following implementation of Carefirst

6. Reducing vehicle crime

Benefit of reaching the PSA target:

· 135 fewer vehicle crimes

Issues and Actions

· Three new lighting columns erected in Newbridge Park and Ride will improve the lighting levels in the central area. We will also conform to the dark skies policy and be more environmentally friendly

· Planning permission has been granted to introduce CCTV in Newbridge and Lansdown Park and Rides

· Vehicle crime in car parks is being successfully reduced because of the work of attendants and the success of Police in apprehending a major culprit. However there is some evidence that success in car parks is shifting the problem to on-street parking.

· It is also proposed to install CCTV in Bath Hill East car park

· £141,225 is due to be spent on CCTV for Newbridge and Lansdown Park and Ride. This will be completed when agreement has been reached with Somer Housing to erect an antenna on the roof of Balance Street flats

7. Improving our local environment

Benefit of reaching the PSA target:

· Increasing the trade waste recycling rate from 0.56% to 3%

· Increasing the recycling rate at Household Waste and Recycling Centres to 38%

· Ensuring 95% of graffiti is cleared from public buildings within 2 days of reporting

· Improving visitor score for availability of public conveniences to 3.37 out of 5

· Improving visitor score for cleanliness of public conveniences to 3.70 out of 5

Issues and Actions

· The timescale for developing the new trade recycling infrastructure is dependent upon the Western Riverside master planning process, as the new infrastructure will be developed through the relocation of the existing Bath Household Waste & Recycling Centre. Timescales are unclear as yet.

· Review of trade waste collection function in hand, with a view to divesting and increasing the rate of collected materials.

· Waste arisings increases of 4.5% adversely affecting recycling figures; Consultancy funds of £20k from Defra WIP for HWRC improvement to start October; Development of outline plan in hand with Exec Member for decision in Nov/Dec.

· Agreement reached with Exec members on expenditure of Corporate Improvement Priority "Urban Public Realm" monies to supplement graffiti removal operations

· Comprehensive 14 point Public Convenience Improvement Strategy in progress; Project Board being established to address evolving policy and funding issues.

· Street improvements in Walcot to improve and sustain Bath City Centre. Issues and options plan, plus detailed specifications to be produced by March 2005. Improvements to be implemented in 2005/06

8. Reducing fire-related deaths and injuries in the home

Benefit of reaching the PSA target:

· Reducing deaths and injuries in accidental domestic fires to 13.1 per 100,000

Issues and Actions

· Secondment of fire safety officer to the Housing Standards team within Housing & Supported Living In place

· "Chip-pan amnesty". This scheme will result in chip pans, a significant factor in many house fires, being replaced with deep fat fryers. Currently running

· Spot testing of second hand furniture sold at retail outlets Currently being undertaken

· Publicise issues Ongoing

· The £22,000 (100%) budgeted pump-priming funds were unspent last year because 1) the chip pan amnesty has been delayed to enable the launch of this scheme to coincide with the launch of the refurbishment of the fire station, 2) delivery of smoke alarms through Care & Repair have fallen short of expectations, and 3) some of the larger items of expenditure such as sprinkler systems require significant research and negotiation with landlords.

9. Improving disabled access to sustained employment

· 70 more disabled people helped into sustained employment

· 68 more disabled people helped into voluntary work

· 6 additional employers holding the Positive About Disabled People Award

Issues and Actions

· Employment Development Service and JobCentre Plus are now actively engaged as delivery partners.

· Alternative accommodation is currently being explored, potentially linking this project with a wider initiative or existing provision.

· Original problems that were encountered with finding appropriate accommodation for the service have been resolved. It has been agreed by Commercial Services, that the service will be located within Linear Way Industries to support the re-orientation of their work.

· An organisation has been selected through a tendering process to deliver a recruitment service to support disabled people into employment. This organisation has significant knowledge of local issues and specialisms in supporting people with mental health related disabilities. The service will look to start taking in beneficiaries in December to deliver the full programme from the New Year.

· The £8,000 (100%) budgeted pump-priming funds were unspent last year due to delays initiating the project and the re-planning exercise. This will be spent in the current financial year.

10. Improving health through sport and leisure

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· 100,000 more users at sports centres

· 1,099 more people attending sports centres for an activity twice a week or more (exc. clubs and schools)

Note: This part of the PSA has interim targets for the year-ending March 2005 which will result in payment of 20% of the performance reward grant when achieved

Issues and Actions

· Investments made by Aquaterra, particularly with the new gym at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre should significantly increase the number of visitors

· Further investments in gyms at Keynsham and South Wansdyke Sports centres also targeted to improve attendances

· Adjustments made to programming, particularly dry side (e.g. 5 a side) will increase volumes of users

· Targeted marketing and promotional campaigns in partnership with Aquaterra and B&NES Active Leisure Team (subsidised by PSA pump priming funding)

· Working with PCT on introducing Cardio Rehab stage 3 into the Leisure Centres

· In the New Year we will be appointing a full time Leisure Development Officer working from the Active Leisure Team whose remit will be to work with the local community to generate usage in leisure centres during off peak times (eg daytimes)

· A Health and Fitness magazine will be distributed to 165,000 households in the New Year with free swimming vouchers and free mini health checks in leisure centres

· Joint management of Chew Valley Sports Centre following investment programme should encourage greater usage

· The £30,000 (100%) budgeted pump-priming funds were unspent last year but the £90,000 allocation will be spent over the next 2 years in the following way;

Cardio Rehab stage 3 in Leisure Centres £10,000

Health and Fitness Magazine £15,000

Free swimming vouchers £10,000

Free mini health checks £5,000

Survey (for target b) £5,000

Leisure Development Officer £25,000

Further Health initiatives and promotions £20,000

11. Better alternatives to bed and breakfast for homeless people

· No families in B & B for more than 4 weeks

· 1,223 fewer total "household nights" in Bed and Breakfast

· 95% of decisions on homelessness applications within 33 working days

Issues and Actions

· Commission a mediation service available for households threatened with homelessness in Autumn 2004 - In Place

· Develop a Homefinder scheme by Autumn 2004- Currently in recruitment process

· Develop & implement a spend to save policy in relation to preventing homelessness by Autumn 2004 - Currently in development

· Implement operational improvements in line with ODPM B&B task group guidance. Some of these have been implemented, such as the use of credit referencing. Others such as increased use of home visits to be implemented by Autumn 2004 - In place.

· The £23,000 (100%) budgeted pump-priming funds were unspent last year because this period was used 1) to plan the spend to ensure effective target delivery, and 2) to investigate the purchase and commissioning of services.

12. Improving library popularity and encouraging reading

· 35,000 more visits to public libraries

· 5% more residents satisfied with public libraries

· 33,000 more books and spoken word items issued

Issues and Actions

· Visitor numbers have improved through the summer period. However, Saltford branch library is closed from 25^th October until 11^th December and the main Bath Central Library (BCL) will be closed partially and for two - three weeks fully closed for a period during December and February. This is to enable essential Disabled Discrimination Act upgrades and other refurbishments to be completed as part of the service push to increase library usage and customer service improvements. During this period other branches will extend opening hours and be supported by the mobile service. It is hoped that the net visitor numbers will be maintained during the Saltford closure and that additional arrangements will mitigate against lost visitor numbers for BCL.

· The summer book issues have improved and the Childrens' library service issued 4,500 more books over the summer holiday period than for the same period last year. This is encouraging evidence that actions by the service to encourage readership is addressing the declining issues trends. Arrangements for extended loans and increased numbers of books to be loaned at one time will be in place during the refurbishment works.

· The service plans for self issue using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology have been supported by the business case supported by BISDG. Attempts to identify sources of funding to enable the project to progress are continuing. This technology will create headroom to improve services further.

PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT 2003-2006