SSRG Newsletter - January 2004: ODPM News

Consultation on Best Value Performance Plans

On 22nd December 2003 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published a consultation paper that sets out the Government's proposals for changing Performance Plan requirements for 2004 and beyond.

During summer 2003, ODPM reviewed a number of Performance Plans to determine the extent to which authorities had used them for improvement planning. Some authorities appeared to use their Performance Plan as a strategic planning document, as envisaged in earlier ODPM guidance, while others tended to use the plan as a public accountability document. The improvement planning process that underlies the Performance Plan should be integrated with authorities' corporate planning arrangements.

The Government intends to streamline the Performance Plan requirements and remove the requirement to provide information that can be obtained from other sources. Thus it will no longer be necessary for authorities to provide information such as:

• summary financial information;
• progress in implementing improvement measures over the past 3 years;
• outcomes or impacts arising from those measures;
• progress against Local Public Service Agreements.

In addition, it is proposed to replace the current 'one size fits all' approach with a differentiated approach that reflects CPA categorisation. Authorities that are categorised in CPA as excellent and good, where performance is strong and corporate capacity demonstrated may see further reduction in requirements.

Comments are invited by 2nd February 2004: bv.update@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

The consultation can be found at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_localgov/documents/page/odpm_locgov_026489.hcsp

Best Value Performance Indicators to measure homelessness outcomes

The main consultation on the BVPI set for 2004/05 has been delayed while a review is undertaken, which will delay the introduction of the Performance Indicators (Pis) until late 2004 to measure homeless outcomes. These indicators cover:

• Numbers of rough sleepers; and
• Numbers of families include dependent children or a pregnant women placed in temporary accommodation under the homeless legislation

Responses should be sent no later than Friday 6 February 2004:

homelessness@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

The Consultation can be found at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_homelessness/documents/page/odpm_home_026391.hcsp

Update: Delivering Sustainable Communities Magazine

This is an occasional magazine that gives news and progress on delivering sustainable communities. The second issue, Winter 2003 has articles on urban regeneration companies, business improvement districts, and a round up of news on growth areas. There is also news from Sir John Egan's working group along with case studies of projects supported by ODPM's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and Special Grants Programme.

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_control/documents/contentservertemplate/odpm_index.hcst?n=3681&l=1