Archived decisions

Appendix Two

Performance of the Local Area Agreement 2006/07

1. Introduction

These paragraphs detail progress with the Local Area Agreement (LAA) outcomes and targets as at the end of Year 1 of the agreement (2006/07).

The year end results are being drawn to the attention of both the Corporate Management Team and the Cabinet, as Hampshire County Council is leading on a number of the priority areas and is a key partner or contributor in the majority of the outcomes.

Full performance results, consisting of progress towards each target, together with information about progress made during the year, arrangements in place, good practice examples and `issues' are available on the LAA website at http://www3.hants.gov.uk/localareaagreement.htm

2. Summary of Performance 2006/07

The following charts show `at a glance' whether each of the performance targets relating to the outcomes under each LAA priority are low risk (green), medium risk (amber) or high risk of non achievement (red). Where data isn't currently available (generally new indicators from 2007/08 or survey based indicators where a survey wasn't conducted in 2006/07) these indicators are shown as white (blank).

The key areas of risk as at the end of 2006/07, as indicated by the `red squares on the chart above' have been identified as follows:-

Priority A - Improving the life chances of children and young people

Better Chances - Better Lives

Both performance indicators relating to this initiative are based on KS2 SATs results. The results for both English and Maths were not on target. This is not an unexpected result as the project is aimed at producing long term benefits. An improvement in the schools' SATs results may not be noticeable in the next few years. Schools may not have necessarily focussed their projects on their years 5 or 6, so it is a difficult project to evaluate with SATs data. Each school has produced its own targeted impact report showing its areas of focus.

Better Parenting

Percentage of school absences from a group of 11 secondary schools identified by the DfES: Absence figures are falling year on year, but not steeply enough to meet the challenging target agreed for 2007/08.

GCSE results of Looked After Children: The authority recognises the poor performance at Key Stage 4 of Looked After Children and is working with the various 14-19 consortia to ensure that a full and varied work related curriculum is available for students of all abilities. It is hoped that enhanced access to this will produce better outcomes as well as contribute to better progression rates post 16.

Widen participation in the range of sport, recreational and cultural activities available for young people

Access to 2 hours per week of sporting activity per pupil: The target of 120 minutes was set at a time when it looked as though 120 minutes would be a statutory target. The target has remained non-statutory and has not been met. As it only reflects curriculum availability rather than actual participation it is not a good indicator.

Priority B - Deliver first class support for businesses, promote skills and workforce development and address barriers to employment

A more enterprising economy

Average of Hampshire's share of SE VAT registrations: There has been no new data since the half year report. Regarding the performance indicator, data on VAT registrations comes out retrospectively the 2005 figures by calendar, rather than financial year, are the latest available. The detailed target for this indicator was not agreed by the DTi until January 2006 so the disappointing figures for 2005 relate to a period when, effectively, no target had been agreed let alone provision of any pump priming details on what to do to encourage VAT registrations. Pump priming is now in place together with stated actions in pursuance of the target. The revision of the previous years SBS (Small Business Service, part of DTI) statistics may have had an impact on Hampshire's performance in relation to this indicator in 2005.

Improved skills

Percentage of the workforce with levels 2, 3 and 4 qualifications. The fall in proportion from 68% to 66.3% was not anticipated, particularly given other evidence that the proportion attaining level 2 in Southampton has increased over the same period. Further investigation of the data is currently underway.

Priority C - Improve the coordination of transport and access to services across the county

No high risk areas identified.

Priority D - Improve access to housing and accommodation

Increased access to affordable housing for rural communities in Hampshire

Additional homes to be delivered in the period 2006/08 as part of the HARAH partnership. This is a new indicator from 2007/08. As at 31 March 2007 there were 31 homes completed with a further 33 housing units on site awaiting completion. Further sites are in the pipeline which should lead to some 140 homes on 16 sites being completed by the end of 2008.  The target of providing 164 homes may not therefore be met although due to the long lead-in timescales for development it is planned to extend the HARAH partnership to 2011.  This is however still to be confirmed.

Priority E - Tackle crime and anti-social behaviour recognising the harm of drug and alcohol misuse

Reduce Crime

British Crime Survey comparator crime. Concerted partnership efforts to reduce PSA crime are progressing slower than expected. GOSE have agreed to provide a neighbourhood renewal advisor to facilitate a process known as `floor target action planning' to assist partners to agree common priorities worthy of a concerted partnership effort. It is anticipated that this will be delivered during the summer of 2007. Partnership activity to address alcohol misuse is currently an area of focus for the Executive as it is a key risk factor for this and other LAA outcomes.

Deliberate Fires

Performance against the three indicators under this outcome continues to fall below the target but there is notable success in a year on year reduction in deliberate fires in dwellings, commercial premises and vehicles. The targets were particularly stretching looking for an annual 7% reduction, set against a baseline which included a highly successful year in 2004/5. The number of deliberate secondary fires continues to be a very hard to influence, as it is subject to uncontrollable factors such as the weather. That being said, a number of strategies have been put in place in a continued endeavour to create a reduction in deliberate fires.

Priority F - Promote the health and well-being of people in Hampshire

No high risk areas identified

Priority G - Use material resources more efficiently

No high risk areas identified

Priority H - Empower local people to have a greater voice and influence over decision making and the delivery of services

No high risk areas identified.

3. Further analysis of these results

Over the next few weeks further analysis will take place of these results. Where possible and relevant, performance in relation to LAA targets will be analysed on a district basis to identify areas where performance is lagging behind those of other areas. These analyses will be shared with priority lead officers and district performance lead officers.

A series of `engagement workshops' are planned for 2007/08 covering each of the eight priorities. The first of these is scheduled for 22 June and will focus on the four flagship initiatives allowing wider partners to assess progress to date and to consider how they are contributing and they might further contribute to each area to ensure that the Year 3 targets are reached. The summary and full results will also be sent to performance leads in partner organisations for their own use in reporting and monitoring performance.