Archived decisions

Contact: Martin Combs [email protected] 01962 847479

1. Summary

1.1. This report concerns how to take forward `improvements' identified by the Audit Commission's 2002 Corporate Performance Assessment (CPA), and subsequently endorsed by a 2004/5 Best Value review.

2. Background

2.1. A Best Value review was undertaken in 2004/5 to address Hampshire County Council's approach to, and management of community engagement and consultation. The review was triggered by the Audit Commission's 2002 CPA Improvement Plan which noted there was room for improvement.

2.2. A summary of the recommendations from the Improvement Plan, and actions recommended by the Best Value review that are attached with an update on progress up to the present (see attachment).

2.3. The update suggests that mechanisms have, over time, been put in place to address some of the required actions, however meetings in March 2007 have been held with a view to identifying a corporate lead to develop further key practices and actions identified in the CPA Improvement Plan and confirmed by the Best Value Review, ie. to:

· Ensure that consultation is undertaken early enough to enable the results to influence outcomes

· Make better use of existing consultation to inform actions

· Better coordinate the organisation's consultation to inform actions

· Improve the mechanisms for disseminating the findings of consultation to ensure they inform policy and service development across the organisation and between partners

3. Recommendation

3.1. That the Culture and Communities Policy Review Committee receive regular updates on progress with implementation of the above `improvements'.

4. Rationale

· The Committee will be in a position to require officers to account for progress or lack of progress against the improvements identified.

7. Conclusion

7.1. Monitoring of progress against specific improvements in the County Council's engagement with communities, including effective consultation, will strengthen the relationship between the council and its citizens, in addition to improving the targeting of resources to better meet local needs.

8. Links to Corporate Strategy

8.1. This Review would contribute to Maximising Wellbeing, and Enhancing our Quality of Place, by increasing the potential for resources to be more effectively targeted to meet local needs.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

2002 Audit Commission, Corporate Performance Assessment Improvement Plan:

Best Value Review, 2004/5, Community Engagement/Consultation

Consultation Strategy - final draft 14/2/07

Update on progress, March 2007.