Southend Together Board - 21 March Southend Local Area Agreement - update Southend Together Board - 21 March 2007

2 LAA - Overview (Re-cap) The Local Area Agreement is a three year agreement between an area’s partners (represented by Southend Together) and central government that focuses on achieving desired priority outcomes and allows for greater flexibility and some extra resources in delivering them. Southend’s LAA has 17 headline outcomes. These were identified on the basis that: - they are mandatory (10 are mandatory for Southend); - they have been identified as a priority for Southend from existing policies, strategies or plans; - they have been identified as a priority by the people of Southend - they have been rated by Southend Together Board as a priority; - they are a priority outcome where a determined focus, partnership working and/or innovation will make an impact over and above what is currently being done. About 80 targets have been assigned to the outcomes to assess progress. 13 of these targets are ‘stretch’ (reward) targets (which attract £0.9m pump priming resources and £5m in reward if all targets were met in full at end of 3 years).

Southend Together Board - 21 March Key Themes for the Local Area Agreement (Re-cap) Healthier Communities and Older People - Improve health and reduce inequalities (M) - Increase the choice and control for older people Children & Young People - Be healthy: Improved health outcomes through increased sustainable journeys to school (M); reduced under 18 conception rates (M) and more schools with the healthy schools standard. - Stay safe: Reduced number of ‘Looked After Children’; increased numbers placed locally and more stable placements. - Enjoy & achieve: Improve educational attainment at Key Stage 2 (10-11year olds) and 4 (GCSE); improve attendance rates and reduce exclusions. - Positive Contribution: Involve young people in decision making - Economic well-being: Reduced numbers of year olds not in education, employment or training – M Economic Development & Enterprise - Increase enterprise by improving the number of sustainable businesses. - Increase skills base of the borough’s workforce. Safer and Stronger Communities: - Reduce Crime -M - Reduce the fear of crime –M - Reduce harm caused by illegal drugs – M - Build respect and reduce Anti Social Behaviour – M - Empower local people to have greater voice and influence on local decisions and service delivery – M - Improve the quality of life in most disadvantaged neighbourhoods;– M - Reduce waste to landfill and increase recycling – M - Promote a cleaner, greener, safer environment. M=Mandatory

Southend Together Board - 21 March Developments since last Southend Together Board The Local Area Agreement has been submitted to Government Office, East of England. It will be signed officially by Ministers on 29 March. The full document is available on Southend Council’s website: Next Steps: Strengthen Governance and Finance arrangements Allocation of Pump Priming Grant Performance Management arrangements. Identification of areas of focus over next 6 months and beyond. Communication and Engagement Partnership Support LAA Refresh and Local Government White Paper

Southend Together Board - 21 March LAA Governance Structure Southend Together Board Southend Together Executive Safer & Stronger/CDRP Strategic Partnership Health & Well Being Strategic Partnership Children & Young People Strategic Partnership Economic Development & Enterprise Partnership SCS-LAA Management Group Time limited Project groups – eg Finance Target owners Government Office East of England 6 mthly Community Forum Target owners

Southend Together Board - 21 March Local Government White Paper 2006 – Future Arrangements for Local Area Agreements LAAs will become the main delivery agreement between central government and a local area. LAAs will be the only place where central government will agree targets with local authorities and their partners on outcomes delivered by local government. The LAA will consist of: - 35 improvement targets; - 18 statutory education and early years targets and - other locally agreed targets Government will also identify priority areas for inclusion following the Comprehensive Spending Review decisions. There will be an Audit Commission risk assessment of outcomes and services in each year which will inform the negotiation of LAA improvement targets. LAAs will form a key element of the Comprehensive Area Assessment (replacing Comprehensive Performance Assessment).

Southend Together Board - 21 March Local Government White Paper 2006 – Future Arrangements for Local Area Agreements cont… Improvement targets will be drawn from set of 200 national indicators and from Sustainable Community Strategies. Final agreement will result from negotiations with central government. There will be a new LAA grant with presumption that all area based funding will go through this route. Timing: - Major changes to LAA framework will come into effect April New Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) introduced April Package of Guidance expected with LGWP Implementation Plan.