Meeting documents

Implementation Executive (DCC)
Friday 25 April 2008


            Meeting: Implementation Executive (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 1 B - 25/04/2008 01:30:00 PM)

                  Item: A5 Local Area Agreement


         

Report of John Richardson, Chief Executive, Durham County Council
Purpose of the Report

1. To receive the latest draft of the Local Area Agreement (LAA) submission and an update on the negotiation process.

Background

2. The Department for Communities and Local Government has previously published the proposed national indicator set and guidance on negotiating new Local Area Agreements. The guidance reinforces the relationship between the LAA and the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) and the importance of taking an evidence-based approach. The LAA should have up to 35 targets from the Governments new national indicator set, plus the 16 statutory children’s services indicators and other appropriate performance indicators to reflect local priorities.

3. A series of workshops have taken place to ensure that the process for the preparation of the SCS and the agreement of outcomes and targets to be delivered in the LAA has involved a range of stakeholders. The workshops have built on a range of evidence from existing community strategies and other key countywide strategies and plans.

4. As part of the ongoing negotiation process, a third draft of the LAA has been submitted to Government Office North East (GONE) to meet their deadline of 28th March 2008, a copy of which is attached. This version has taken account of earlier comments from GONE following feedback in February and amendments that have been agreed so far.

5. Further negotiation meetings are being held with GONE up to 22 April to establish targets for relevant performance indicators. The final draft of the LAA will be agreed at the County Durham Partnership Interim Board meeting on 24th April.

6. It is expected that the LAA will be formally ‘signed off’ by the County Council on 23rd May in order to meet the deadline for submission to GONE by 30th May 2008. The LAA will then be signed off by Ministers in June.

Risk Assessment

7. The County Durham Partnership has carried out a risk assessment for the LAA.


Recommendation and Reasons

8. The Implementation Executive is recommended to note the latest position with the LAA 2008-11.

Contact: Ann Campbell Tel: 0191 383 3929
Appendix 1: Implications
Local Government Reorganisation
(Does the decision impact upon a future Unitary Council)
Ensuring the delivery and management of the LAA will be a responsibility for the new unitary authority.

Finance

The County Council provides financial advice to the County Durham Partnership in relation to the LAA.

Staffing

Staffing resources are required to support the County Durham Partnership.

Equality and diversity

Key issues related to equalities and diversity have been taken into account in agreeing the LAA priorities.

Accommodation

The County Durham Partnership support staff occupy accommodation at Rivergreen

Crime and disorder

Key issues related to addressing crime and disorder have been taken into account in agreeing the LAA priorities.

Sustainability

A full sustainability assessment of LAA priorities has been undertaken.

Human rights

None

Localities and Rurality

The needs of specific localities and rural areas will be addressed through work to achieve priority outcomes.

Young people

Priorities of the Children’s Trust have been taken into account in agreeing the LAA priorities.

Consultation

The priorities set out in the LAA have been influenced by public consultation during the development of the 8 Sustainable Strategies and the views of citizens gathered via surveys.

Health
Key issues related to addressing health problems in County Durham have been taken into account in agreeing the LAA priorities.

To view appendix 2, please refer to PDF attachment or Hard Copies located in the Record Office or Corporate Services.

Attachments


 LAA Submission Appendix 2.pdf;
 LAA Submission 250408.pdf