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11 May 04Cash for Enhanced Targets
Three years, 12 targets and almost £900,000 in government cash - that is the deal which the Borough of Poole has signed up to as part of a Local Public Service Agreement brokered between itself and the Government.
The deal means that following months of negotiation the Borough of Poole has entered into a formal agreement with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to achieve a number of enhanced targets aimed at improving local services and reducing criminal damage.
The LPSA goals include improving Key Stage 2 results in English and Mathematics, introducing initiatives to prevent graffiti, flyposters and chewing gum, increasing the number of people using local bus services, enabling more disabled people into employment and reducing vehicle crime.
The Borough will use the up front grant of £888,000 to achieve these targets. For example a total of around £180,000 will be spent on introducing a Neighbourhood Warden Scheme aimed at reducing vehicle crime and criminal damage and around £100,000 will be spent on employing a Key Stage 2 teaching and learning consultant.
The council has three years to meet the targets set out in the agreement which was signed and sealed by the Borough’s Chief Executive John McBride and Council Leader Brian Leverett.
A performance reward grant worth up to £3 million will then be paid to the Borough of Poole if it achieves all of its goals.
John McBride, Chief Executive, Borough of Poole said: "An awful lot of negotiation has gone into the service agreement and its targets but the real work starts now to set about achieving those goals. This will be a real test of the council and its partners to deliver a real difference. However I am confident that the Borough of Poole can rise to the challenge and meet the targets it has signed up to in an effective and efficient way."
Brian Leverett, Council Leader, Borough of Poole, said: "This is the start of new ways of working to bring about big changes to the lives of Poole residents. If we are successful in reaching our targets, not only will we improve school results, cut down on anti-social behaviour in our communities and increase healthy living, we will unlock further funding deals from Central Government."
Summary of the 12 Public Service Agreement targets:
- Increasing educational attainment at Key Stage 2 in English and Mathematics
- Increasing educational attainment at Key Stage 3 in English, Mathematics and Science
- Improving the life chances of looked after children by increasing the number of adoptions
- Increase the participation of problem drug users in drug treatment programmes
- Increase the employment rate of disabled people
- To raise skill levels in small businesses in Poole
- Reduce vehicle crime
- Reduce criminal damage
- To increase the number of passenger journeys undertaken on local bus services in the Borough of Poole
- Graffiti, fly posting and chewing gum removal initiative
- To improve health outcomes in Poole
- Improvements in cost effectiveness of 2% or more
Bridget West, Corporate Performance Manager, Policy Directorate, Borough of Poole telephone 01202 633085
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