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ITEM EX6

EXECUTIVE – 1 JUNE 2004

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: PROGRESS AGAINST PRIORITIES AND TARGETS 2003-04

Report by County Council Management Team



  1. This report summarises the Council’s performance during 2003 - 2004 against Oxfordshire Plan priorities, Public Service Agreement targets and Best Value Performance Indicators.

    2. Oxfordshire Plan priorities

  2. The Oxfordshire Plan for 2003-04 contained 49 priorities. 26 of these were due for delivery during 2003-04 (see Annex 1a) (download as.doc file) and all but two were achieved or partly achieved. For example, we have

  • reduced the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads;

  • increased the provision of rehabilitation services to older people;

  • introduced free access to the Oxfordshire Museum;

  • installed Broadband in all our schools and libraries via the Oxfordshire Community Network.

The two priorities for 2003-04 which were not achieved were resurfacing the pedestrian area of Oxford’s Cornmarket, where the work was not completed to the deadline of summer 2003; and reducing accidental dwelling fires, where, although there was a reduction, it was less than the 10% which was set as a target.

  1. There are a further 23 priorities which are not due to be completed until after March 2004 (see Annex 1b) (download as .doc file). Of these, 20 are on track. They include

  • helping people with disabilities to find jobs;

  • improving school attendance;

  • supporting the development of the Oxford Castle site.

The three where the level of achievement is less assured are (a) improving GCSE pass rates, (b) improving the educational achievement of children in care and (c) enhancing facilities and support for young people.

  1. Overall this represents a good level of achievement against last year’s Oxfordshire Plan priorities. This year’s Oxfordshire Plan focuses on a much smaller number of priorities based on the Community Strategy, public opinion surveys and areas where our performance is in particular need of strengthening.

    2. Public Service Agreement Targets

  2. The Public Service Agreement is structured around "stretch" targets agreed with the government in 12 key areas. These are due for delivery by March 2006. If successful, the County Council becomes eligible for a performance reward grant for each target area. Because the targets are deliberately challenging it is not necessarily expected that 100% will be achieved in each case and this is recognised by the fact that, where a large part of the target is achieved, a proportion of the grant will still be awarded.

  3. At present, progress can be reported in eleven of the target areas (see Annex 2) (download as .doc file). The methodology for the twelfth area (cost effectiveness) has not yet been agreed with ODPM.

  4. Of the 11, 8 are on track; 2 are not currently on track (improving GCSE results at grades A*-G and increasing bus use); and 1 is difficult to predict (improving GCSE results for children in care). Action plans are in place for all these targets, with close monitoring of those where achievement is less assured.

  5. In overall terms, the position at the end of Year 1 is encouraging, given the demanding level of performance that the PSA requires. If this level of performance is replicated at March 2006, the Council will be eligible for a reward grant from the government of approximately £7m.

    6. Best Value Performance Indicators 2003 - 2004

  6. The Council is required to report annually against Best Value Performance Indicators set by the Audit Commission. For 2003-04 there were 135 such indicators. The Council’s performance has improved against 50% of the indicators for which information is currently available and has been maintained at the same level as last year in a further 5%. Indicators where the Council’s performance has improved include those relating to

  • recycling of household waste;

  • the condition of the county’s major roads;

  • educational achievement at Key Stage 3 (ie 14-year olds);

  • visits to public libraries;

  • providing intensive home care for older people.

Overall there is a positive trend in our levels of performance, with a significant net improvement.

  1. The Audit Commission also requires the Council to set targets for the next three years for each of the Best Value Performance Indicators. These must be included in the Council’s Best Value Performance Plan. In 2003-04, the Council achieved a performance level of between 90 and 100% of target in 75% of indicators.

  2. 12 BVPIs were ‘reserved’ by the Audit Commission last year because of concerns either about compliance with the definition, or about the systems used to produce the performance information. Steps have been taken to ensure that all performance information this year has been calculated in accordance with the statutory requirements.

  3. A detailed schedule showing performance against the 2003-04 Best Value Performance Indicators together with the targets for the next three years will be included in the Best Value Performance Plan which will be presented to Council on 15 June.

    4. RECOMMENDATION

  4. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to note the report


COUNTY COUNCIL MANAGEMENT TEAM

Background Papers: Nil

Contact Officers:
Hilary Simpson (016865 815487)
Sean Gibson (01865 815482)

May 2004

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