Contact: Jenny Heath, Corporate Performance Manager, ext 7402

Summary

The following decisions were taken:

· That the announcement that Hampshire County Council is an excellent authority be welcomed

· That Cabinet note the action taken to improve performance data collection and reporting, in order that future reports can advise Cabinet of relevant performance indicator results, supported by interpretation and commentary from operational managers

· That Cabinet agree the proposed variations to the Best Value Review programme and approve the Hampshire Improvement Programme, as providing both the improvement plan required by Comprehensive Performance Assessment and the future Best Value review programme

· That Cabinet approve the establishment of two `task and finish' member panels to consider the Best Value reviews of Early Education and Childcare and Lifelong learning.

· That work be continued with a view to performance indicators more accurately reflecting aims and policies in the services the County Council provides.

· That, with regard to health scrutiny, the County Council's role explicitly includes all aspects of health service provision and not solely NHS services.

Reasons for the recommendations

· The Council is under a statutory obligation to maintain a programme of Best Value reviews, covering all its functions

· Under the Government's Comprehensive Performance Assessment regime, the Council is required to produce an improvement plan in response to the Audit Commission's assessment of its overall performance.

Other options considered and rejected

To develop or maintain a separate CPA improvement plan, Best Value review programme and schedule of corporate projects / initiatives.

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker, or member or officer consulted

None

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

Not applicable

Reason for matter being dealt with, if urgent

Not applicable

Approved by: Date: