Key areas of work

Performance management framework

In order to drive forward the LAA it is essential that it is supported by robust performance management arrangements. In order to ensure that LAA targets are on track the PSB has agreed a performance management framework for the LAA. The framework covers:

• Roles and responsibilities of block and target leads (what they need to provide in terms of performance information
• Monitoring and reporting arrangements, both internally (to PSB) and externally (to GOSE)
• The type of information that the PSB requires to enable them to make an informed assessment of performance at regular intervals

The Performance Unit at Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for

• Overseeing current performance against targets and compiling regular performance reports the PSB
• Developing 'stage two' of the performance management framework so that arrangements meet the increasing complexity of the LAA

Stage two performance management

In 2006 the PSB agreed that some pump priming grant would be used to fund the procurement of a web enabled IT system to support the LAA. The development of such a system falls in line with central and regional government requirements to develop a system which is accessible to all partners via the Web. Detailed research has been taken place during 2006-07 with the intention that a new system will be up and running for the second year of the LAA. Oxfordshire's Performance Unit will keep the PSB updated of progress in this area.

Previous LAA performance reports

Risk management

The risk management framework sets out the responsibilities for risk identification, management and the process for escalating risks. This has been developed by the LAA programme team in conjunction with the county council's Risk Manager.

The LAA team maintains the strategic risk register and mitigation plans which is owned by the programme board. Any significant risks are escalated to the PSB for high level intervention.

Each block has identified risks to the block as a whole and also to individual targets. Any risks to the ability to deliver targets are reported alongside performance in the regular reports that the PSB receives. Blocks have used the target risk profile as an initial exercise to highlight any significant areas of concern.

Governance

Clear governance arrangements are essential to an effective and successful LAA. Governance arrangements for the Public Service Board are outlined in the Partnership Governance Framework which will officially be adopted by the Partnership at its June 2007 meeting. 

It is important that all block groups have robust governance arrangements particularly as the LAA develops and financial responsibility increases.  

Finance

Pooled funding

Government is using the LAA as a way to allocate and distribute area based funding through pooled arrangements. The aim is to give areas greater flexibility on the use of funding and to simplify reporting arrangements.

A number of funding streams are automatically being pooled through the LAA in 2007-08 and there are others that we have chosen to pool. Almost £13m is coming through the LAA.

Details of the funding streams to be pooled through the LAA in 2007-08 (.pdf format, 26 Kb)

Oxfordshire County Council as the accountable body for the LAA is responsible for providing government with a six monthly statement of grant usage, forecast outturn report and end of year statement of grant usage for all funding streams pooled through the LAA.

Pump priming grant

We have been given £1,198,575 in pump priming money to 'kick-start' the projects to deliver our stretch targets. This money has been allocated proportionately to all stretch targets with a further allocation towards the development of an integrated performance management system.

Communities and Local Government finance guidance (.pdf format, 253 Kb)

Performance reward grant

If all of our stretch targets are achieved we will receive £16,349,425 in reward grant.

The Public Service Board has agreed that 50 per cent of any reward grant awarded will be used to support new and innovative partnership projects. The process for partnerships to bid for this funding is under development and details will be agreed during 2007.

The remaining 50 per cent of the reward grant will be distributed amongst partners involved in delivering the target. The PSB has agreed proposals for distribution of reward grant recommended by the partnership boards.

Details of the allocation of reward grant between delivery partners

Communications

The partnership communications strategy outlines the standards for all our communications and partners' roles and responsibilities in respect of communications.