NOTICE OF MEETING The Executive Tuesday, 24 June 2008, 5.00 pm Council Chamber, Fourth Floor, Easthampstead House, Bracknell
To: The Executive
Councillor Bettison (Chairman), Councillor Ward (Vice-Chairman), Councillors Mrs Ballin, Dr Barnard, Birch, Mrs Hayes, Kendall and McCracken
ALISON SANDERS Director of Corporate Services
EMERGENCY EVACUATION INSTRUCTIONS
1 If you hear the alarm, leave the building immediately. 2 Follow the green signs. 3 Use the stairs not the lifts. 4 Do not re-enter the building until told to do so.
Contact: Hannah Coman Telephone: (01344) 352209 Email: [email protected] Published: 16 June 2008
The Executive Tuesday, 24 June 2008, 5.00 pm Council Chamber, Fourth Floor, Easthampstead House, Bracknell AGENDA
Page No
1. Apologies
2. Declarations of Interest Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests, and the nature of that interest, in respect of any matter to be considered at this meeting.
3. Minutes - 20 May 2008 1 - 18
4. Urgent Items of Business
5. Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework (Director of Environment, Culture & Communities) 19 - 26
6. Flexible Home Improvement Loan (Director of Environment, Culture & Communities) 27 - 52
7. Draft Climate Change Action Plan (Director of Environment, Culture & Communities) 53 - 94
8. Overview and Scrutiny Report on Road Traffic Casualties (Director of Environment, Culture & Communities) 95 - 100
9. Disability Equality Scheme Annual Report (Director of Corporate Services) 101 - 142
10. Revenue Expenditure Outturn 2007/08 (Director of Corporate Services) 143 - 172
11. Capital Programme Outturn 2007/08 (Director of Corporate Services) 173 - 196
12. Corporate Performance Overview Report (Chief Executive) 197 - 258
13. Exclusion of Public and Press
To consider the following motion:
That pursuant to Regulation 21 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) Regulations 2000 and having regard to the public interest, members of the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of items 14 and 15 which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under the following category of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:
(3) Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person.
14. Desktop & Infrastructure Software Upgrade (Director of Corporate Services) 259 - 270
15. Bracknell Shopmobility Scheme (Assistant Chief Executive) 271 - 292
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EXECUTIVE 20 MAY 2008 (5.00 - 5.45 pm)
Present: Councillors Bettison (Chairman), Mrs Ballin, Dr Barnard, Birch, Kendall and McCracken
Apologies for absence were received from: Councillors Mrs Hayes and Ward
65. Declarations of Interest
Councillor Bettison declared a personal interest in item 5.
66. Minutes - 15 April 2008
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive on 15 April 2008 together with the accompanying decision records be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.
67. Executive Decisions
The Executive considered the reports submitted on the items listed below and the decisions taken are recorded in the decision sheets attached to these minutes and summarised below.
The Chairman changed the order of business as is recorded below.
Item 6: Local Area Agreement and Sustainable Community Strategy
RESOLVED
1. That the final Sustainable Community Strategy (Appendix 1 to the report) be approved.
2. That it be recommended to Council that the Sustainable Community Strategy be adopted.
3. That the final Local Area Agreement for submission to Government on 30 May 2008 (Appendix 2 to the report) be agreed.
4. That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to finalise the agreement of any outstanding targets within the Local Area Agreement.
Item 7: Lottery Application for Restoration of South Hill Park Grounds
RESOLVED
That subject to all the necessary legal agreements being put in place that the following be recommended to Council:
1 1. That it be noted that the Council has been awarded a grant of £2,525,000 towards the restoration of the parkland landscaping at South Hill Park.
2. That authorisation be given to capital expenditure totalling £1,000,000 as match funding for the grant received from Heritage Lottery Fund, £50,000 of which has already been approved in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 capital programmes.
3. That an additional £80,000 be included in revenue budgets for future years, estimated to commence in 2012/13, to ensure maintenance of the Park for a minimum period of ten years.
4. That it be noted that improvement works to Ringmead are required as a condition of the grant and that additional funding estimated at £60,000 be included in the capital programme for 2010/11.
Item 8: Voluntary Sector Compact and Codes of Practice
RESOLVED
1. That in order to enable Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations to plan their budgets, applications for grant funding would be approved in December in future rather than in March as is currently the case.
2. That payments for grants to the VCS continue to be made quarterly in advance and this process be formalised as part of the revised compact.
3. That revised Compact attached at Annex A to the report be referred to the Bracknell Forest Partnership for endorsement.
Item 9: Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration
RESOLVED that the comments set out in the report of the Assistant Chief Executive be updated, in consultation with the Chief Executive, the Leader and the Executive Member for Planning and Transportation, and submitted to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
Item 10: Annual Report
RESOLVED
1. That the Annual Report set out at Appendix A to the report be approved, subject to the addition of the final outstanding information and sign off by the Leader and Chief Executive, prior to adoption by Council on 18 June 2008.
2. That the publication of the document in public access areas and on the Borough Council’s website by 30 June 2008 be endorsed.
3. That the publication of a designed Annual Report by 31 July 2008 be endorsed.
4. That the production of a summary Annual Report leaflet for distribution around the Borough by August 2008 be endorsed.
2 Item 11: Fairer Charging
RESOLVED
1. That the responses that have been received during the consultation period be noted.
2. That the recommendations consulted upon set out below be agreed and implemented:
• that the maximum weekly charge to be set at the standard rate for residential care; • to charge for the additional carer reflecting the cost to the Council of providing the additional support; • to abolish the minimum amount for Disability Related Expenditure; • to change the charging arrangements to utilise Charging for Residential Accommodation Guidance based on ability to pay be introduced for respite care; and • to change to billing people on the basis of the hours they are scheduled to receive.
DEPUTY LEADER, COUNCILLOR BIRCH IN THE CHAIR
Item 5: Amen Corner Area Action Plan
RESOLVED that the Amen Corner Area Action Plan Preferred Options Report (Annex 1 to the report) and the Amen Corner Area Action Plan Sustainability Appraisal Report (Preferred Options) (Annex 2 to the report) be approved for public consultation, and that the report of Issues and Options Consultation (Annex 3 to the report) be noted subject to some minor amendments to be agreed in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Transportation.
LEADER
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4 Minute Annex
Bracknell Forest Borough Council Record of Decision
Work Programme Reference I010998
1. TITLE: Sustainable Community Strategy and Local Area Agreement Endorsement
2. SERVICE AREA: Chief Executive's Office
3. PURPOSE OF DECISION
Bracknell Forest Borough Council, as a unitary authority, has a duty to produce a Sustainable Community Stragey (SCS) and Local Area Agreement (LAA). Once finalised, the Sustainable Community Strategy must be agreed at Council in accordance with the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) Regulations 2000/2853. It is intended for these regulations to be amended to ensure that the LAA will also need to be approved by Council.
4 IS KEY DECISION Yes
5. DECISION MADE BY: Executive
6. DECISION:
1. That the final Sustainable Community Strategy (Appendix 1 to the report) be approved.
2. That it be recommended to Council that the Sustainable Community Strategy be adopted.
3. That the final Local Area Agreement for submission to Government on 30 May 2008 (Appendix 2 to the report) be agreed.
4. That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive (in consultation with the Leader) to finalise the agreement of any outstanding targets within the Local Area Agreement.
7. REASON FOR DECISION
1. The Council has a statutory obligation under the Local Government Act 2000 to produce a Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) for the Borough.
2. The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act introduced duties on: • Local Authorities to develop Local Area Agreements (LAA) in partnership with other agencies. • Local Authorities and named partners to co-operate in agreeing LAA targets and to have regard to meeting them.
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8. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
None.
9. PRINCIPAL GROUPS CONSULTED: Theme Partnerships Statutory Regional Partnerships Overview & Scrutiny
10. DOCUMENT CONSIDERED: Report of the Assistant Chief Executive.
11. DECLARED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None
Date Decision Made Date decision will be implemented
20 May 2008 30 May 2008
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Bracknell Forest Borough Council Record of Decision
Work Programme Reference I011032
1. TITLE: Lottery Application for Restoration of South Hill Park Grounds
2. SERVICE AREA: Environment, Culture & Communities
3. PURPOSE OF DECISION
To consider the outcome of the Council's application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant to restore the landscape of the grounds at South Hill Park.
4 IS KEY DECISION Yes
5. DECISION MADE BY: Executive
6. DECISION:
That subject to all necessary legal agreements being in place, that the following be recommended to Council.
1. That it be noted that the Council has been awarded a grant of £2,525,000 towards the restoration of the parkland landscaping at South Hill Park.
2. That authorisation be given to capital expenditure totalling £1,000,000 as match funding for the grant received from Heritage Lottery Fund, £50,000 of which has already been approved in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 capital programmes.
3. That an additional £80,000 be included in revenue budgets for future years, estimated to commence in 2012/13, to ensure maintenance of the Park for a minimum period of ten years.
4. That it be noted that improvement works to Ringmead are required as a condition of the grant and that additional funding estimated at £60,000 be included in the capital programme for 2010/11.
7. REASON FOR DECISION
To deliver a restoration project, as set out in the South Hill Park Conservation Management Plan, that protects and enhances a major part of the Borough’s cultural heritage and improves one of Bracknell’s most important parks for local people.
8. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
The alternative is not to accept the grant. This would mean that the deterioration of the park would continue and a huge opportunity to restore and enhance this valuable asset would be missed. This is particularly important as the park is rich in heritage, culture, landscape, biodiversity and recreational elements.
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9. PRINCIPAL GROUPS CONSULTED: Local residents South Hill Park Arts Centre Bracknell Town Council North Lake Management Committee
10. DOCUMENT CONSIDERED: Report of the Director of Environment, Culture & Communities.
11. DECLARED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None
Date Decision Made Date decision will be implemented
20 May 2008 30 May 2008
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Bracknell Forest Borough Council Record of Decision
Work Programme Reference I010067
1. TITLE: Voluntary Sector Compact
2. SERVICE AREA: Chief Executive's Office
3. PURPOSE OF DECISION
The compact on Relations between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in England (Compact), first introduced in 1998, is the written understanding formalising the codes of practice by which Government and the Sector should work together. It is an agreement between Government and the Sector to improve their relationship for mutual advantage and community gain. Periodically the Compact is refreshed and Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action (BFVA) is currently in the process of revising this way of working, as laid out in the Codes of Good Practice relating to Volunteering, Black Minority Ethnic and oluntary Community Sector Groups, Funding, Procurement and Commissioning.
4 IS KEY DECISION No
5. DECISION MADE BY: Executive
6. DECISION:
1. That in order to enable Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations to plan their budgets, applications for grant funding will be approved in December in future rather than in March as is currently the case.
2. That payments for grants to the VCS continue to be made quarterly in advance and this process be formalised as part of the revised Compact.
3. That the revised Compact attached at Annex A to the report be referred to the Bracknell Forest Partnership for endorsement.
7. REASON FOR DECISION
Although it is not a statutory requirement for local authorities to produce a local Compact, it is considered best practice to do so and the lack of such could have negative implications for the Council’s performance when measured as part of the new Comprehensive Area Assessment. Current guidance on preparing Local Area Agreements also recommends that local areas produce local Compacts.
8. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
No alternative options have been considered.
9. PRINCIPAL GROUPS CONSULTED: Assistant Chief Executive Director of Corporate Services Borough Treasurer
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BFVA - have taken document out to wide consultation among local voluntary groups for 4 months
10. DOCUMENT CONSIDERED: Report of the Assistant Chief Executive.
11. DECLARED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None
Date Decision Made Date decision will be implemented
20 May 2008 30 May 2008
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Bracknell Forest Borough Council Record of Decision
Work Programme Reference I010995
1. TITLE: Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration Consultation Response
2. SERVICE AREA: Chief Executive's Office
3. PURPOSE OF DECISION
A consultation document has now been published which sets out and seeks views on the proposals contained in the Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) for putting in place reforms that would:
- Streamline the regional tier, introducing integrated strategies and giving the regional development agencies (RDAs) lead responsibility for regional planning
- Strengthen the local authority role in economic development, including a new statutory duty to assess local economic conditions
- Support collaboration by local authorities across ecoomic areas.
The consultation exercise is being run jointly with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and Communitities and Local Government (C&LG)and runs until 20 June 2008.
4 IS KEY DECISION No
5. DECISION MADE BY: Executive
6. DECISION:
That the comments set out in the report of the Assistant Chief Executive be updated, in consultation with the Chief Executive, the Leader and the Executive Member for Planning and Transportation, and submitted to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
7. REASON FOR DECISION
The proposals set out in the Government’s document have significant implications for the Council, addressing a broad sweep of work areas across the organisation. Issues of housing, transport, and regeneration are central to the council’s Medium Term Objectives.
8. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
The Executive could choose to make no response to the consultation document. To do so, might imply that the Executive is content with the proposals. Given the significant implications for Bracknell Forest residents in terms of economic success, political legitimacy and physical development, officers recommend that the Executive should makes its views clear to Government.
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9. PRINCIPAL GROUPS CONSULTED: None
10. DOCUMENT CONSIDERED: Report of the Assistant Chief Executive.
11. DECLARED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None
Date Decision Made Date decision will be implemented
20 May 2008 30 May 2008
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Bracknell Forest Borough Council Record of Decision
Work Programme Reference I010213
1. TITLE: Annual Report
2. SERVICE AREA: Chief Executive's Office
3. PURPOSE OF DECISION
To approve the Bracknell Forest Borough Council Annual Report for 2007/08.
4 IS KEY DECISION Yes
5. DECISION MADE BY: Executive
6. DECISION:
1. That the Annual Report set out at Appendix A to the report be approved, subject to the addition of the final outstanding information and sign off by the Leader and the Chief Executive, prior to adoption by Council on 18 June 2008.
2. That the publication of the document in public access areas and on the Borough Council’s website by 30 June 2008 be endorsed.
3. That the publication of a designed Annual Report by 31 July 2008 be endorsed.
4. That the production of a summary Annual Report leaflet for distribution around the Borough by August 2008 be endorsed.
7. REASON FOR DECISION
The Council has a statutory requirement to publish certain information by the 30 June each year, including pre-audit BVPI outturn data. Publication of the Annual Report attached as Appendix A (subject to the addition of final outstanding information) will ensure that the Council meets its statutory duties in this respect.
8. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
The Council has a statutory duty to publish this document by 30 June therefore no other options have been considered. However the Annual Report is continually reviewed and developed to ensure that it up to date and reflective of current best practice.
9. PRINCIPAL GROUPS CONSULTED: Not applicable.
10. DOCUMENT CONSIDERED: Report of the Chief Executive.
11. DECLARED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None
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Date Decision Made Date decision will be implemented
20 May 2008 30 May 2008
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Bracknell Forest Borough Council Record of Decision
Work Programme Reference I011015
1. TITLE: Fairer Charging
2. SERVICE AREA: Social Care & Learning
3. PURPOSE OF DECISION
The report sets out proposals for Charging Policy in respect of Adults Social Care following the recent consultation.
4 IS KEY DECISION Yes
5. DECISION MADE BY: Executive
6. DECISION:
1. That the responses that have been received during the consultation period be noted.
2. That the recommendations consulted upon set out below be agreed and implemented: § that the maximum weekly charge to be set at the standard rate for residential care. § to charge for the additional carer reflecting the cost to the council of providing the additional support. § to abolish the minimum amount for Disability Related Expenditure. § to change the charging arrangements to utilise CRAG based on ability to pay be introduced for respite care. § to change to billing people on the basis of the hours they are scheduled to receive.
7. REASON FOR DECISION
The recommendations are part of modernising social care to introduce fairer and more effective use of resources.
8. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
There is still an option for the Executive, having considered the report to decide not to implement any of the proposals.
9. PRINCIPAL GROUPS CONSULTED: None.
10. DOCUMENT CONSIDERED: Report of the Director of Social Care and Learning.
11. DECLARED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None.
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Date Decision Made Date decision will be implemented
20 May 2008 30 May 2008
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Bracknell Forest Borough Council Record of Decision
Work Programme Reference I006882
1. TITLE: Amen Corner Area Action Plan
2. SERVICE AREA: Environment, Culture & Communities
3. PURPOSE OF DECISION
To endorse the Preferred Options Document and Draft Sustainability Appraisal Report for Consultation.
4 IS KEY DECISION Yes
5. DECISION MADE BY: Executive
6. DECISION:
That the Amen Corner Area Action Plan Preferred Options Report (Annex 1) and the Amen Corner Area Action Plan Sustainability Appraisal Report (Preferred Options) (Annex 2) be approved for public consultation and the report of Issues and Options Consultation (Annex 3) be noted subject to some minor amendments to be agreed in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Transportation.
7. REASON FOR DECISION
In its Local Development Scheme the Council has identified a project timetable for the production of the Amen Corner Area Action Plan. The third milestone in the project plan is to undertake a Preferred Options consultation (the first being commencement of the document and the second the Issues and Options consultation). This consultation is a formal stage in the production of any Development Plan Document and follows the procedures set out in the Local Development Regulations (2004).
8. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
The Council could choose not to undertake preparation of an Area Action Plan and could deal with planning by way of determining planning applications based on Core Strategy Policy CS4. The Council in its Local Development Scheme has made a conscious decision to undertake a more plan-led approach to determine the form of development appropriate at this site in the form of the Area Action Plan. It is therefore considered that this alternative approach would not lead to the best form of development for the site taking into account the views of landowners, key stakeholders, service providers and local residents.
9. PRINCIPAL GROUPS CONSULTED: All Council Service Departments.
10. DOCUMENT CONSIDERED: Report of the Director of Environment, Culture and Communities.
11. DECLARED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Councillor Bettison declared a personal interest in this item
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Date Decision Made Date decision will be implemented
20 May 2008 30 May 2008
18 Agenda Item 5
TO: THE EXECUTIVE 24 JUNE 2008
JOINT BERKSHIRE MINERALS AND WASTE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK SUBMISSION CORE STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT PLAN DOCUMENT (Director of Environment, Culture and Communities)
1 PURPOSE OF DECISION
1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek endorsement by the Executive of a Publication version of the Joint Berkshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy Development Plan Document for the period to 2026 that is proposed to be Submitted to the Secretary of State for Approval by Council on 23 July 2008. The Core Strategy sets out the long- term spatial vision for minerals and waste related development within Berkshire and the strategic policies necessary to implement that vision.
1.2 The Regulations (2004 Regulations) formerly governing the preparation of Local Development Frameworks have recently been amended (2008 Regulations) as a result of the CLG consultation report “Streamlining Local Development Frameworks (November 2007) and come into force on 27 June 2008. An amended Regulation (Regulation 25 of the 2008 Regulations) requires public participation in the preparation of a development plan document but allows consultations already undertaken under the previous Regulations (2004 Regulation 26) to be used as proxy. A new stage, Publication (Regulation 27 of 2008 Regulations), has been added to the LDF preparation process and will take place before Submission (Regulation 30 and Section 20 of the primary 2004 Act). Representations (relating to issues of soundness) as a result of Publication are to be taken into account at Examination. Authority for Publication and Submission are non-Executive (Council) decisions. The Council meeting on 23 July 2008 provides the only opportunity to obtain authority for Publication in September/October 2008.
1.3 The documents which make up the Joint Berkshire Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework are being prepared by Consultants on behalf of the six Berkshire Unitary Authorities, managed directly by the Joint Strategic Planning Unit upon instruction by Officers from each of the Unitary Authorities. The preparation process has been overseen by the Joint Strategic Planning Committee chaired by this Council’s Executive Member for Planning and Transportation.
1.4 Because of the size of the Core strategy document, and of the necessary associated, background and technical documents, including responses to previous representations received under the , they have not been appended to this report but have been made available electronically.
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 That, subject to further consideration of the relevant documents by the Joint Strategic Planning Committee on 30 July 2008, the Executive endorses the following recommendations to Council:
2.2 That the emerging Joint Berkshire Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework Core Strategy Development Plan Document be Approved for
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Publication (2008 Regulation 27) and then Submission (2008 Regulation 30 and Section 20 of the primary 2004 Act).
2.3 That Authority be delegated to the Director of Environment, Culture and Communities, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Transportation, to agree minor editing of the Publication version of the Joint Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD, and associated, background and technical documents, following the Joint Strategic Planning Committee on 30 July 2008 and prior to Submission.
2.4 That the Pre-Submission Public Participation (Regulation 26 of the 2004 Regulations) Core Strategy DPD be used as a proxy for Public Participation in the Preparation of the Development Plan Document (Regulation 25 of the 2008 Regulations) and that the response to the Pre-Submission Public Participation, along with representations received to the Publication of the document, be submitted as part of the Information to be Submitted to the Secretary of State (Regulation 30(1)(d) of the 2008 Regulations).
2.5 That Authority not to oppose minor changes to the Submission Joint Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD during the Examination Period for Development Plan Documents be delegated to the Head of Spatial Policy in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning & Transportation.
2.6 That the Publication and Submission versions of the Joint Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD be used as a material consideration for Development Management purposes.
3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 The six Unitary Authorities in Berkshire are required to prepare a Minerals and Waste Local Development Frameworks as part of the Development Plan process.
3.2 The six Unitary Authorities in Berkshire have previously decided to prepare a Joint Berkshire Minerals and Waste LDF as a “County Matter” in order to update and replace the minerals and waste provisions of the:
- Berkshire Structure Plan 2001 to 2016; - Replacement Minerals Local Plan for Berkshire; and - Waste Local Plan for Berkshire.
3.3 The work programme for the preparation of the M&WLDF is set out in the Minerals and Waste Local Development Scheme (LDS) – a three year work programme which took effect on 1 April 2007. Given the new 2008 Regulations, the LDS needs to be amended and agreed with GOSE. In order not to unduly delay Adoption of the Core Strategy, Publication will need to be undertaken in September 2008. Delivery of the Submission Document is one of the planning policy milestones against which Housing and Planning Delivery Grant will be assessed.
3.4 New Regulation 30 sets out the documents and information which should be submitted in support of the Core Strategy, which in this case includes:
- associated documents; such as, Statements of Community Involvement and a Consultation Statement (indicating issues previously raised how they have been addressed);
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- a statement persons or bodies invited to make representations, how they were invited to do so, a summary of the main issues raised and how those representations have been taken into account; - background documents; such as, a transport study; and - technical documents; such as, a Sustainability Appraisal (including Strategic Environmental Assessment) and an Appropriate Assessment.
3.5 The Publication and Submission of the Core Strategy relates to Priority Two (Protecting and enhancing our environment) of the Council’s Medium Term Objectives 2008 – 11).
3.6 Whilst the Joint Strategic Planning Committee has been empowered by this Council to manage the preparation of the Minerals and Waste LDF it has no delegated powers and Publication and Submission of the Core Strategy remain a non-Executive decision which must be made by Council.
3.7 The absence of up to date minerals and waste planning policy could make the Development Management process difficult to implement, potentially leading to unplanned incremental development rather than a plan-led approach, not just in the Borough but throughout Berkshire.
4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
4.1 The alternative would be to delay the Publication and Submission of the Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD. If Members feel that the Core Strategy, which details the Berkshire Unitary Authorities’ long-term spatial vision for minerals and waste related development until 2026 and the policies to implement that vision, is not robust or that the technical information that supports them is insufficient, then delay could be considered. There is a greater emphasis under the new planning system on sound evidence. Whilst the Consultants, JSPU, Officers and Joint Strategic Planning Committee have made every effort to ensure the evidence is sound, the formal determination of “soundness” will be by an independent Inspector.
4.2 The potential benefit of delay would be to allow any emerging, relevant policy provisions to inform the Submission Corer Strategy, but none is expected. However, delay could require additional public consultation, and expense, as a result of the time which would have elapsed since previous consultations took place.
4.3 Members should be aware that several other Core Strategies have failed to reach Submission stage on advice from GOSE/PINS. Whilst the reasons vary, fundamental flaws concern lack of content or of a sound evidence base. Informal comments received from GOSE on the content of the document have informed preparation of the Core Strategy (but see Strategic Risk Management issues at paragraph 6.6 below) and your Officers consider that the necessary supportive documents have been prepared. Officers will update Council on the results of any further comments in making recommendations for Approval in July.
4.4 Delay would also result in the Borough Council failing to meet milestones in the LDS and may jeopardise any awards to be received under the Housing and Planning Delivery Grant, and in meeting the Performance Indicators. It would also be reflected in the Borough Council’s rating as part of any Comprehensive Performance Assessment.
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4.5 Further, the absence of up to date direction on minerals and waste matters could make the Development Management process difficult to implement.
5 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Preferred Options Consultation
5.1 Consultation on a Preferred Options (Reg 26) version of the Berkshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD took place in Autumn 2007 and resulted in 111 representations being received. Unsurprisingly, the majority of these representations concerned specific locations of sites for minerals and waste development and are more relevant to a development Management Policies and Sites DPD being prepared in parallel (but one stage behind) the Core Strategy.
5.2 The representations have informed the preparation of the Core Strategy which was considered, and amended, by the Joint Strategic Planning Committee on 2 April 2008.
General provisions of the Core Strategy
5.3 The purpose of the document is to set out the vision of how waste and minerals need to be planned for in Berkshire during the period to 2026, and the objectives and policies concerning:
- the management of mineral resources, including safeguarding of aggregate deposits, the scale of supply of aggregate minerals, and how extraction areas will be identified; and - the scale, type and distribution of waste management capacity that needs to be provided.
5.4 The document has been prepared on the basis that the majority of future development will take place in the larger settlements in Berkshire. The geology of Berkshire determines where mineral deposits are available for extraction. The framework also needs to provide for future supplies of imported aggregates and those obtained by recycling of construction and demolition waste. Facilities are required to deal with waste, and the range of types of facilities is diversifying in response to the drive away from landfill. However there remains a requirement for some landfill capacity to cater for residual wastes that cannot be recycled.
Minerals provisions of the Core Strategy
5.5 In respect of minerals, the Submission Core Strategy is based on the apportionment in the Regional Minerals Strategy and emerging South East Plan and focuses on safeguarding the future supply of aggregates by identifying Minerals Preferred Areas and of building sand by defining Areas of Search. Other policies restrict mineral working outside Minerals Preferred Areas and deal with other sources of aggregates; recycled and secondary aggregates, transportation of minerals (including importation via rail depots) and borrow pits.
Waste provisions in the Submission Core Strategy
5.6 In respect of waste, the Submission Core Strategy requires a level of waste management capacity growth to allow for self sufficiency, as contained in the draft Regional Spatial Strategy and based on research prepared for the South East of
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England Regional Assembly. The spatial planning approach to waste management focuses on providing facilities at Waste Preferred Areas within and around the urban centres in the east and central part of Berkshire, and along a corridor based on the A4 to Newbury.
5.7 Three key locations are identified for existing facilities, and already planned new facilities are, identified to emphasise this spatial strategy. These locations are at Colnbrook in Slough, Smallmead in Reading and Padworth Sidings/Beenham in West Berkshire. The overall approach favours the delivery of waste facilities, but within the overall context of protecting the quality of life in communities and of the environment. Relevant reference is made in the document to the Re3 Strategy. Other specific policies have been included regarding the need for waste management facilities, the transfer of waste, specialist waste management facilities (for example, those dealing with waste water treatment/sludge) and safeguarding facilities.
Impact
5.8 Your officers would suggest that there are no provisions in the Core Strategy likely to give rise to concerns of adverse impact in the Borough as a result of minerals and waste development; rather, the provisions accord with the concept of sustainability and “good planning”. Members should be aware of the existing facilities at Longshot Lane, Bracknell; Planners Farm, Winkfield; and Hazelwood Lane, Binfield.
Next Stages
5.9 A provisional meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Committee has been arranged for 30 July 2008 to consider any updates or amendments to the Core Strategy, to seek consensus on any revisions and to consider any implications of the revisions to the governing Regulations. In the event that any ratification of revisions is required, a Special Council meeting may need to be called given that the following Council meeting will not be until 17 September 2008 and would jeopardise the Submission of the Core Strategy. Proposed changes are typically discussed at Examination with usually an immediate or, at best, an overnight response being requested. Paragraph 2.5 of the Recommendation makes provision for such circumstances.
5.10 Submission of the Core Strategy is presently programmed for August 2008, with Examination in Summer 2009, receipt of the examination Inspector’s report in September 2009 and Adoption no later than December 2009.
6 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor
6.1 All Development Plan Documents (DPDs) are required to be Submitted to the Secretary of State (SoS) for independent Examination to determine whether the requirements of the governing Regulations have been satisfied and whether the document is Sound. An Inspector will be appointed by the SoS to conduct the independent Examination of each DPD.
Borough Treasurer
6.2 The preparation of the constituent documents of the LDF is now a continuous process.
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6.3 Costs associated with the Submission and Examination of the Joint Minerals and Waste Core Strategy have been included in the budget funding of the Joint Strategic Planning Unit. The costs associated with the additional stage of Publication are not significant and can be met from within the Local Development Framework budget.
Other Officers
6.4 The comments of Officers from other Service Provision Departments or Sections/Teams have been included in this report.
Equalities Impact Assessment
6.5 This report concerns a Local Development Document which is still in preparation. The document will contain spatial policies that will supersede land use policies in the adopted Berkshire Structure Plan and Minerals and Waste Local Plans. The statutory preparation process involves several stages of production and the formal Equality Impact Assessment will be undertaken and attached to a future Adoption Report. The Submission Core Strategy has been the subject of Sustainability Appraisal (including environmental, social and employment considerations and Appropriate Assessment) at each stage of its preparation.
Strategic Risk Management Issues
6.6 The Minerals and Waste Local Development Scheme contains a Risk Analysis which covers matters such as Staff resources, Political Decision making, Soundness of the Framework/Legal Challenges, Fiscal Resources, Capacity of Statutory Consultees to Respond, Programme Slippage and Other Guidance.
6.7 The only matters that require continuing consideration are: the amendments to the governing Regulations; the resultant impacts on work programme/timetabling; and comments made by GOSE. GOSE has questioned whether the Submission Core Strategy is sufficiently spatial and considers the vision/strategy/objectives to be insufficiently specific, geographically. Your Officers are confident these matters can be overcome by negotiation before the Examination as most of the “difficult” decisions which GOSE wishes to be included in the Core Strategy (such as, type and location of facility) have already been made in previous local plans, recent management plans and by the past granting of planning permission for new facilities or will be more relevant to the Minerals and Waste Development Management Policies and Preferred Areas DPD (cf the discussion on whether, or not, Site Allocations should be included in the Bracknell Forest Borough LDF Core Strategy).
7 CONSULTATION
Principal Groups Consulted
7.1 The Publication and Submission Core Strategy have been, and will continue to be, prepared in accordance with the governing Regulations which determine how the specific and general consultation bodies will be consulted. More focussed consultation will be undertaken with stakeholders more directly involved in the minerals and waste industries.
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Method of Consultation
7.2 Consultation documents will be made available to view in Borough, Town and Parish Council Offices and libraries throughout Bracknell Forest (and in the other Unitary Authorities) and on the JSPU website. Industry stakeholders will be notified directly of the availability of the consultation documents.
Representations Received
7.3 A summary of the main issues resulting from the Submission consultation exercise and resulting responses, along with other background information, can be viewed electronically.
Relevant Background Papers Emerging Berkshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD Berkshire Minerals and Waste Local Development Scheme Emerging Berkshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD Sustainability Appraisal (including Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment) Emerging Berkshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD Transport Study Representations and Responses to the Regulation 26 (2004 Regulations) Pre-Submission Public Participation
Contact for further information John Waterton – 01344 351179 [email protected]
ECC Spatial Planning Doc Ref Groups/POLICY/Exec. Decisionmaking/2008/ Min&WasteLDFCSSubmissionReport240108Final
Doc. Ref
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26 Agenda Item 6
TO: THE EXECUTIVE 24 JUNE 2008
FLEXIBLE HOME IMPROVEMENT LOAN SCHEME (Director of Environment, Culture and Communities)
1 PURPOSE OF DECISION
1.1 To seek approval regarding Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s (BFBC) participation in a sub-regional flexible home improvement loan scheme in a consortium with 16 other local authorities in the area, and set out the mechanisms required to implement the scheme locally.
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 That it be agreed that Bracknell Forest Borough Council participate in the sub- regional Flexible Home Improvement Loan Scheme.
2.2 That officers be authorised to undertake the necessary formalities in order to establish a Company Limited by Guarantee with the other local authorities in order to participate in the scheme and draft the eligibility criteria for accessing the loans.
3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 The flexible home improvement loan scheme will enable the Council to access an additional source of capital funding made available by the government to enable owner occupiers in the borough to improve their homes. This will contribute towards meeting the Public Service Agreement (PSA) target of ensuring that at least 70% of vulnerable households living in the private sector are occupying homes which meet the Decent Homes Standard.
3.2 Improving the homes of vulnerable households also meet a number of the National Indicators which form part of the adult health and wellbeing LAA agenda.
3.3 Participating in a flexible home improvement loan scheme will enable the Council to access external capital funding to help those vulnerable households identified by the Private Sector Stock Condition Survey as being most likely to live in properties which do not meet the Decent Homes Standard.
3.4 Establishing a Company Limited by Guarantee will ensure the Council has a limited liability of £10 and enable the company to borrow privately in the future to continue to offer flexible loans. A senior officer from BFBC would be represented on the board of Flexible Home Improvement Loans Ltd.
4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
4.1 The alternative option would be to not participate in the sub-regional scheme which would mean losing the opportunity to access the capital funds made available by the government. Currently the Council only provides mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) and does not offer any discretionary loans or grants. The Council would lose the opportunity to offer discretionary assistance to vulnerable home owners to improve their properties.
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5 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
The Private Sector Housing Stock in Bracknell Forest
5.1 Like all local authorities, Bracknell Forest Borough Council is working towards meeting PSA 7, to ensure that at least 70% of vulnerable households in the private sector are living in homes which meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2010. The Stock Condition Survey undertaken in 2003 found that 8,551 private sector dwellings in the borough failed to meet the Decent Homes Standard mainly as a result of poor insulation. Consequently the Council has concentrated resources on improving the energy efficiency of properties through schemes such as Warm Front and partnership working with British Gas. This has improved SAP ratings in the borough significantly (SAP – Standard Assessment Procedure is the government specified energy rating for a dwelling).
5.2 However, the Private Sector Stock Condition Survey found that the properties in the poorest condition (highest levels of unfitness) are owner occupied accounting for 633 unfit properties in the borough. The group of people most likely to be living in unfit housing is single pensioners, with 7.7% of all single pensioner households living in unfit dwellings compared to 1.8% of all households.
5.3 The Private Sector Stock Condition Survey estimated that there is considerable potential to utilise the resources of owner occupiers through equity release schemes to meet the cost of undertaking urgent repairs. To carry out all urgent repairs required to owner-occupied dwellings would cost an estimated £20.8m of which £15.5m could be met by owners funding the repairs themselves from their resources or through borrowing such as equity release. The Private Sector Stock Condition survey makes a specific recommendation to establish a mechanism to enable homeowners to release equity to pay for essential works.
5.4 It is important to note that the Private Sector Stock Condition Survey was undertaken in 2003. Consequently the information within the survey is five years old, however it does represent the best source of information regarding the condition of the private sector housing stock in the borough. Officers are currently exploring the options for refreshing the stock condition survey.
5.5 Until recently central government policy was to promote the use of grant funding to increase the quality of the housing stock. The government now recognises that this is unsustainable and ways need to be found to recycle available funds and lever in additional money from the private sector.
5.6 The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002, gave local authorities increased discretion to develop their own approaches for improving housing conditions in the private sector.
5.7 The Communities and Local Government Department has also encouraged local authorities to find alternative ways of financing housing improvement; in particular through low cost loans and equity release loans. Additionally they have stated that local authorities need to work together to achieve economies of scale. The Government has also expressed the view that a local authority would be failing in its duty as a housing enabler, and in its responsibility to consider the condition of the local private sector stock, if it did not make some provision for assistance. A blanket 'no assistance policy', whether for grants, loans or both, would therefore be unacceptable.
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5.8 The proposed flexible home improvement loan scheme would also meet a number of the National Indicators (NI) which form part of the Adult Health and Well Being strand of the Local Area Agreement:
• NI 119 – Improve people’s self reported measure of overall health and well being • NI 138 – Satisfaction of people over 65 with both home and neighbourhood • NI 142 – Number of vulnerable people who are supported to maintain independent living
Proposed Flexible Home Improvement Loan Scheme
5.9 In response to the new government policy, most recently set out in the Housing Green Paper, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead on behalf of the Berkshire authorities have been consulting with other local authorities in the region. Local authorities in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Oxfordshire have agreed to work together to explore the possibility of establishing a Flexible Home Improvement Loan scheme. Details of how the scheme would work are attached (Annex 1).
5.10 Seventeen local authorities (details of whom are attached in Annex 2) agreed to bid for a grant from the Regional Housing Board to be distributed between those participating. Bracknell Forest is typical of the local authorities participating with high house prices and a large number of elderly property owners who are equity rich but income poor.
5.11 This bid has subsequently been successful with the Regional Housing Board which has awarded £16m to be spent over the three financial years 2008/9, 2009/10, 2010/11 across the participating authorities. This money is to be distributed between the local authorities according to the size of the private sector housing stock in each borough. The money has been provisionally divided up with BFBC receiving £118,903 for the financial year 2008/09. Subsequent allocations will also be made for the financial years 2009/10 and 2010/11, with a minimum of £634,150 coming to BFBC over the 3 years.
Implementation in Bracknell Forest
5.12 There is a post in the Environmental Health Team that has been vacant for some time. It is now intended to fill this post as work loads connected to private sector housing, particularly registering HMOs is increasing. It is intended that the lending scheme work will be carried out by this post.
5.13 It is envisaged that the bulk of the work in the first year will be associated with raising awareness regarding the scheme. The scheme’s success will be mainly dependant upon engaging not only with other staff in the Council but also with partner organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Help the Aged, the Home Improvement Agency and the Primary Care Trust who have regular contact with elderly and potentially vulnerable home owners. The Bracknell Forest Partnership could potentially provide a useful vehicle to raise awareness within the voluntary sector organisations in the borough. Opportunities to market the loan scheme locally include Town and Country and the Bracknell Forest Partnership newsletter.
5.14 It is envisaged that a further bid for funding to the Regional Housing Board will be made for 2011-14. Regardless of whether this bid is successful, it is anticipated that the company will secure private sector funding in order to continue lending. There
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will be a point in the future when a sufficient volume of loans are being recycled, the mortgage portfolio will have reached a critical mass, company will become self sufficient. Another reason for the setting up a company limited by guarantee is that the private sector loans will be secured against the £16+ million fund and it is important that this asset is not dispersed over 17 local authorities.
5.15 The actual policy in terms of eligibility and how much home owners in Bracknell Forest can receive will be set out in a subsequent policy document to be drafted by officers. The eligibility criteria will reflect the overall purpose for the Regional Housing Board making the funding available which is to assist vulnerable home owners improve their homes to ensure they meet the Decent Homes Standard.
6 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor
6.1 The relevant legal provisions are contained within the main body of the report.
Borough Treasurer
6.2 The Council has, without commitment, joined in a bid with other local authorities for funding to establish such a Scheme. It would be necessary for the participating local authorities jointly to form a company, limited by guarantee, and for each authority to appoint a board member. The liability of the Council, in respect of this company, would be limited to £10. This company would enter into a contract with a third party financial institution to administer the Scheme. There would be no capital cost to the Council. Costs relating to officer time, printing and training etc would be contained within existing budgets and are likely to amount to approximately £4,000 in the first year, reducing in subsequent years.
Impact Assessment
6.3 See Annex 3 for Equality Impact Assessment undertaken by Slough BC on behalf of the participating local authorities.
Strategic Risk Management Issues
6.4 The greatest risk associated with the sub-regional flexible loans scheme is not being able to use the resources allocated to the borough. Previous equity release schemes for this purpose have not been successful. There has been a general reluctance to take up such loans and it may well be that that attitude remains. A more recent attempt in London found this to be the case and take up was so low that it resulted in part of the government funding being returned. It is worth mentioning, however, that the loan schemes referred to above were far less attractive to borrowers than the flexible loans we are proposing. To minimise the risk associated with a low take up of the flexible loans, the Partnership has appointed a specialist marketing company to assist in promoting the scheme. However, there would be no other penalty on the Council in terms of returning the grant and no financial penalty. The creation of the post in Environmental Health would not be affected should this happen.
Other Officers
6.5 Officers from within the Private Sector Housing team have been consulted on the drafting of this report.
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7 CONSULTATION
Principal Groups Consulted
7.1 No external groups have been consulted as part of this proposal. A number of groups who have contact with elderly home owners will be given information regarding the scheme to enable them to promote it.
Method of Consultation
7.2 As above.
Representations Received
7.3 As above.
Contact for further information Rob Cummins Housing Enabling Officer Social Services and Housing (01344) 351 586 [email protected]
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32 ANNEX 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION REGARDING THE CONCEPT OF
FLEXIBLE HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE LOANS
1. Flexible Home Repair Assistance Loans
1.1 The flexible home repair assistance loan will be secured by a charge on the householder’s property and may be repaid in a manner to suit the borrower. Payments of capital and interest may be made on a regular, or irregular basis, or not at all. Thus the loan may be viewed as a conventional mortgage, or an overdraft, or as an equity release loan (lifetime mortgage), or as a combination of any of them.
1.2 If the borrower decides not to make payments of capital, or interest, the amount borrowed, plus the ‘rolled up’ interest, will be repaid out of the proceeds from the sale of the property after the borrower dies, or if he/she vacates the home to go into long-term care.
1.3 As a product offered by local authorities it is of paramount importance that the scheme is created, and subsequently operated, in a fair and ethical manner. Furthermore, we will be providing loans which are equal or superior to other lenders in terms of interest rates, charges, efficiency and flexibility. One of the reasons why the local authorities will be able to charge an interest rate which is either equal or superior to the private sector is because it is operating on a “not for profit” basis and most aspects of the operation will be subsidised by the local authorities. For instance the organisation will not have the burden of owning/leasing its own premises and enquiries/applications/inspections etc will be dealt with by officers in their normal course of work. These are major overheads for private sector lenders. However, perhaps the main reason we can offer inexpensive loans is the fact that the funding from the government is by way of a grant from the Regional Housing Board and it is not a debt on which interest will accrue. It is envisaged that in the future the limited company will borrow money private as opposed to relying on government grant but the initial funding will provide a necessary cushion to continue lending at discounted rates.
1.4 The target interest rate is 5%, fixed for the life of the mortgage, and the minimum loan is likely to be £1,000. Naturally, as with Home Repair Assistance grants, the loan may only be used to fund approved repairs or improvements.
1.5 A maximum loan will be established at the time the initial application is processed, and further advances up to this figure may be approved with a minimum of formality. Further advances beyond this maximum may be approved using normal underwriting procedures.
1.6 It should be stressed that flexible home repair assistance loans are not intended to replace grants but will be offered to people who do not qualify for grants. Whilst each local authority in the consortium will offer identical mortgages and use identical documentation, each will be free to set the
33 ANNEX 1
criteria which determines who will qualify for grants and who will qualify for loans.
2. Loan and Mortgage Administration
2.1 In terms of the lending arrangement, the limited company would lend the money to each local authority who in term would lend it on to the householder according to the agreed criteria. Each local authority will be a guarantor (up to a maximum of £10 per local authority) and will appoint an officer to represent them on the board of the company. No other organisations, or individuals, will have any controlling interest in the company. It is envisaged that this person will be the Chief Housing Officer.
2.2 It is intended that a small steering group will be co-opted from the consortium to make certain non-critical decisions.
2.3 The majority of local authorities in the consortium no longer administer mortgages and it is agreed that we should enter into a contract with a third party to handle the administration, including the setting up of each new mortgage and discharging mortgages on eventual sale of each property.
2.4 Loan and Mortgage Administration Centre (LAMAC) already act for several of our members and a total of 153 local authorities nationwide. The cost of procuring the services of LAMAC has been top sliced from the grant allocated by the government so there is no cost to any of the participating local authorities for the first three years of the scheme. Beyond the three year period it is likely that the cost of meeting the cost of the services of LAMAC will have to be paid by the local authorities. The current rate is £20 per account per year that the loan is outstanding.
2.5 The first two years we estimate the cost to the Council will be £4,000 pa for staff training, promotional literature and application forms etc, reducing in subsequent years. These costs will be budgeted for but kept within existing budgets.
2.6 There will also be some additional costs in terms of officers’ time. Whilst the work required by officers to process a loan is likely to be less than required to process a grant, it follows that more officer time may be required to deal with the extra cases.
3. Legal and Regulatory Implications
3.1 The principal regulators for financial services are the Financial Services Authority and the Office of Fair Trading. We, as local authorities, are exempt from the Financial Services Authority’s authorisation for mortgage lending, administration, arranging and advising.
34 ANNEX 1
3.2 We are currently awaiting a decision from the FSA as to whether a ‘not for profit’ company, wholly owned by local authorities will need to register. Indications are that we will not have to register although we will be obliged to adhere to the underlying key principles of mortgage regulation. LAMAC are, of course, registered with the Financial Services Authority and the Office of Fair Trading.
3.3 It is our intention that every council officer involved in the scheme will receive training in all aspects of the equity release product and the regulatory regime which governs it. A system compliance will also be put in place. LAMAC have indicated their capability to provide training sessions for this purpose.
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36 ANNEX 2
LOCAL AUTHORITIES INTENDING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME
Aylesbury Vale District Council Friars Square, 4 Great Western Street, Aylesbury HP20 2TW
Bracknell Forest Borough Council Civic Offices, Easthampstead House, Town Square, Bracknell RG12 1AQ
Cherwell District Council Bodicote House, Bodicote, Banbury OX15 4AA
Chiltern District Council Council Offices, King George V Road, Amersham HP6 5AW
Milton Keynes Council Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3EJ
Oxford City Council St Aldate’s Chambers, St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1DS
Reading Borough Council Civic Centre, Reading RG1 7TD
Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1RF
Slough Borough Council Town Hall, Bath Road, Slough SL1 3UQ
South Bucks District Council Council Offices, Windsor Road, Slough SL1 2HN
South Oxfordshire District Council Council Offices, Crowmarsh, Wallingford OX10 8HQ
Surrey Heath Borough Council Surrey Heath House, Knoll Road, Camberley GU15 3HD
Vale of White Horse District Council The Abbey House, Abingdon OX14 3JE
West Berkshire Council Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury RG14 5LD
West Oxfordshire District Council Council Offices, Woodgreen, Witney OX8 6NB
Wokingham District Council Council Offices, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1WQ
Wycombe District Council Council Offices, Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe HP11 1BB
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38 ANNEX 3 EQUALITIES SCREENING
AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT
FOR ALL DIRECTORATES
39
Incorporates: the requirement to assess Policies or Functions for their relevance to the General Duty of the Race Relations Amendment Act (2000); the Disability Discrimination Act (2005); the Gender Duty under the Equalities Act (2006); the publication requirements for statutory Equality Schemes and the Equality Standard for Local Government
16/06/08 ANNEX 3
INITIAL SCREENING TEMPLATE
Department: Berks, Bucks, Surrey and Oxfordshire Local Authority Private Sector Housing Units
Section responsible for Policy: Berks, Bucks, Surrey and Oxfordshire Local Authority Home Improvement Agencies
Officers responsible for Screening: Manju Dhar – Slough Borough Council Private Sector Housing Manager Mel
Date of Screening: 19 th March 2008
1. Name of the Policy/Function/Procedure Flexible Home Improvement Loans (be administered by the company - Local Authority Home Improvement Loans Ltd) 40
2. Is this an existing, new or revised policy/function/procedure? A new function specifically targeted for clients who are 60+, homeowners with equity and have a need.
This is being financed from the GOSE bid for £16 million between 17 local authorities. Fund available from Apr 2008 and is for set up of the scheme and loans to the 60+
3. Purpose/aims/objectives of the policy/function/procedure • To provide financial assistance to our client group whose repair needs do not currently meet the grants eligibility criteria. • To increase the client’s ability to raise finance for improvements to their home. • To reduce the burden on public finances with regard to medical care to the NHS; for people to remain in their homes longer and reduce the need for medical treatment
16/06/08 ANNEX 3
4. What factors could contribute/detract from the outcomes identified above Contributors Vibrant private housing sector ie home owners with equity in their properties Use of maintaining the current level of grant provision to enhance the loan scheme Increasing elderly population Excellent working link with Age Concern, Home Improvement Agencies (HIA) and other partners Private Sector Housing units; ability to deliver additional scheme such as this Berkshire wide scheme; economies of scale, additional alternative expertise to tap into.
Detractors Current level of grant demands reducing ie death of elderly population Poor/bad publicity ie inadequate marketing, insufficient take up of loans Scheme being too bureaucratic Lack of cohesion/co-operation between the local authorities 41 Grant/loan policies not being consistent across local authorities Lack of contractors Prohibitive interest charges to prospective clients The current financial crunch Inability to recycle money as anticipated
5. List the main activities of the policy/function/procedure Referral – enquiry from GPs/OT/Self Initial Screening – eligibility criteria (varies from local authority to local authority) Determination of Eligibility and Works – what needs to be done and completing of application Liaising with all relevant bodies – contractors, mortgage companies, land registry Approval of loan and Land charge Arranging completion of the works – from the list of approved contractors Final completion and administration – builder product notification to all relevant parties Repayments – repayment process
16/06/08 ANNEX 3 6. Who is intended to benefit from this policy/function/procedure and how? Client group – elderly (specifically targeted at 60+ who have a need and are homeowners with equity NHS Social Services Local economy General regeneration of the area South East Local Authorities in meeting the PSA7 target
7. Who are the main stakeholders in relation to this policy/function/procedure? Central government Regional Housing Board South East authorities Local businesses Client Group
8. Who implements the policy and who is responsible for the policy/function/procedure? South East Local Authorities Representatives (Berks, Bucks, Surrey and Oxfordshire) and their Home Improvement Agencies. 42 The Windsor & Maidenhead Co-ordinator is responsible overall. The local authorities involved are listed in the document titled ‘Report on the viability of an Equity Release Scheme supported by initial funding from the Regional Housing Board’ (Apr 2007)
9. List readily available and/or naturally occurring evidence, including consultations, to support decisions regarding the impact that the policy/function/procedure may have on the equality target groups.
Report on the viability of an Equity Release Scheme supported by initial funding from the Regional Housing Board (Apr 2007)
The current demand for grants
Future prediction of elderly population growth
16/06/08 ANNEX 3 Public Service Agreement target 7 (PSA7)
Indices of multiple deprivation 2004 & 2007
Local/government policy / lifetime homes Housing Conditions Survey - Number of houses in disrepair among the over 60’s
Knowing that investing in property increases house prices and regenerates the area
Stats from DoH; link between poor health and housing, numbers of those who have tripped and slipped around the home
Reseach showing aging owner occupier populations have worst housing conditions
Stats from Age Concern
43 10. If monitoring data is not available for the equality target groups who are using, or are potentially impacted by, the policy/function/procedure please specify the arrangements will be made to collect this or provide reasons for not doing so.
Data needed to evidence the demand for /take up equity release loans and the type of repairs that are most commonly required for over 60’s housing
Future Housing Conditions Surveys to be commissioned by local authorities to include in the question on equity release and collect equality monitoring data. The survey would also seek to know why previous clients declined to take up the loan.
Assessment of Impact
11. Taking into account all the evidence available to you so far indicate where you think that the policy/function/procedure could have a negative impact on a particular group: i.e. it could cause some disadvantage or potentially be discriminatory.
Indicate where you think the policy/function/procedure could have a positive impact on any of the groups to promoting diversity and equality. 16/06/08 ANNEX 3
Where the policy/function/procedure is not relevant to equality and diversity or has no potential impact please give reasons.
Positive Impact Negative Impact Neutral Reason (Groups may benefit from the (Groups may be disadvantaged impact policy) by the policy)
Gender Women ü
Men ü
Race BME ü Accessibility if English is Consider not their first language. Asian, Black, There may be cultural Chinese, issues where such Mixed heritage schemes are not and other acceptable 44 ethnic minority groups White ü Accessibility if English is ü not their first language. There may be cultural issues where such schemes are not acceptable
Disabled Consider all People Forms of
16/06/08 ANNEX 3 disability ü The Mental Capacity Act To fund under 60s e.g. visually has to be considered for there will be an impaired clients who have mental impact on hearing health problems. recycling the impaired ü There is no access for money to make the physically disabled clients who are scheme financially disabled under 60 to obtain client viable learning contribution funding disability mental health and unseen disabilities e.g. heart disease and diabetes Age 16 – 30 ü This age group is not There is enough being targeted in the provision from 45 proposal private lenders for this age group to source from, however, the vulnerable/those in need may not succeed in obtaining a favourable loan but will still face health issues as the 60+ if the home repair are not carried out.
The proposed scheme needs to be more flexible and inclusive for single parent 16/06/08 ANNEX 3 families, young disabled, carers and those being cared for, trustworthy landlords and younger homeowners 31 - 44 ü This age group is not There is enough being targeted in the provision from proposal private lenders for this age group to source from, however, the vulnerable/those in need may not succeed in obtaining a
46 favourable loan but will still face health issues as the 60+ if the home repair are not carried out.
The proposed scheme needs to be more flexible and inclusive for single parent families, young disabled, carers and those being cared for, trustworthy landlords and 16/06/08 ANNEX 3 younger homeowners 45 - 60 ü This age group is not There is enough being targeted in the provision from proposal private lenders for this age group to source from, however, the vulnerable/those in need may not succeed in obtaining a favourable loan but will still face health issues as the 60+ if the 47 home repair are not carried out.
The proposed scheme needs to be more flexible and inclusive for single parent families, young disabled, carers and those being cared for, trustworthy landlords and younger homeowners 60+ ü This is the age group that ü If the interest rates and These issues will benefit the most administration charges of need to be because private lenders the Home Repair Loan addressed by the are highly reluctant to lend become prohibitive when consortium and 16/06/08 ANNEX 3 to them based on their compared with private independent age. Private lenders have lenders legal/mortgage prohibitive interest rates experts and and administration ü If this age group is financial charges, high minimum inadvertently being regulators. The loan thresholds and exploited financially. This proposed interest inflexible pay back terms scheme would be seen as rates and admin a last resort by many in charges have to ü The proposed scheme will this client group in their bid be comparable assist homeowners to to remain in their own with those that release equity form their homes for longer. exist and an homes where disposable ethical clause in income is not readily their T&C stating available. how rates are fixed that remains both fair and transparent. Appropriate
48 advice & information must be provided to clients so that they can make an informed choice on all the options
Sexual Lesbian ü Orientati on Gay men ü Bisexual men ü and women Heterosexual ü men and
16/06/08 ANNEX 3 women Religion Christian ü or Belief Other faiths ü Some sections of the The proposed (e.g. Muslim, Muslim community will scheme has not Jewish, prefer faith loans consider how it Hindu, Sikh, will meet the Buddhist) needs of clients with this requirement and needs to be discussed and explored No ü religion/Atheist
49 12. If adverse/negative impact has been identified can it be justified on grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for one group or any other reason?
Yes, promoting, choice and health among those aged over 60 and vulnerable, however, the proposed interest rate/ loan type for our client group (elderly, vulnerable, Muslims) negatively impacts on them.
This will be reviewed by the consortium by the end of 2010/2011 and in the next round of fund bidding (depending on demand for the loan). At the moment the priority is to set up the scheme and provide services to the equality groups mentioned above.
16/06/08 ANNEX 3
13. On the basis of section 11 and 12 above does the policy require an impact assessment?
No
If yes please state when this impact assessment will be undertaken Date:
14. If an impact assessment is not required:
a) Could you minimise or remove any potential negative impact identified? (explain how)
Yes, please see the action plan below. Note should be taken that each local authority will operate the scheme differently according to its needs but the Consortium Co-ordinator aims to ensure that consistency and good practice is maintained across the 17 local authorities.
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16/06/08 ANNEX 3
SERVICE 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2008/09 LEAD PREDICTED PREDICTED QUALITY PROGRESS OBJECTIVE: OUTCOME OUTCOME OUTCOME ACTIVITIES OFFICER START END DATE GROUP UPDATE MEASURES MEASURES MEASURES DATE TARGETED
The Housing 1. To collate All local Martyn Mar 2008 2010/2011 Age Conditions the authorities to Clemence Disabled Surveys to be monitoring revise the Race conducted by data of all questions in Religion all local those the HCS to authorities; to surveyed include loan evidence the and demand for 2. To know monitoring equity loans the figures of questions. potential 51 clients that To conduct are interested the HSC in in taking out 2008/2009 to the loan ensure data is ready for 2. To the next establish the round of fund future bids in2010. demands and needs of those interested in talking out an equity release loan
16/06/08 ANNEX 3
b) If there is no evidence that the policy/function/procedure promotes equal opportunity could it be adapted so that it does? (explain how)
Please see Q12 & Q14 above
Please ensure that all actions identified above, including any monitoring arrangements, are included in the attached Action Plan and in your service plan.
Signed ……………………………………………………………. Signed ………Manju Dhar/Mel……………………………….. (Policy Lead) (person completing initial screening if different)
Date: ………………………………………………………………. 52
16/06/08 Agenda Item 7
TO: THE EXECUTIVE 24 JUNE 2008
CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN (Director of Environment, Culture & Communities)
1 PURPOSE OF DECISION
1.1 The draft Climate Change Action Plan has been developed by the Council’s Climate Change Working Group in response to the Council’s Nottingham Declaration commitment: within two years, develop plans with our partners and local communities, to progressively address the causes and impacts of climate change, according to local priorities. This report seeks approval for the draft Climate Change Action Plan to be released for public consultation, in accordance with this commitment.
2 RECOMMENDATION
2.1 To release the draft Climate Change Action Plan for public consultation.
3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
3.1 This report relates to medium term objective 4: Keep Bracknell Forest clean and green; Environment, Culture and Communities departmental service plan priority two: Protecting and enhancing our environment; and associated key action 4.6 Develop a local climate change strategy by 2009, in line with the Nottingham Declaration.
4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
4.1 The alternative of not producing a Climate Change Action Plan would be in breach of the Council’s commitment to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change.
5 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
5.1 Bracknell Forest Borough Council signed the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change on 27 th February 2007. This committed the Council, within two years, to develop plans with our partners and local communities, to progressively address the causes and impacts of climate change, according to local priorities.
5.2 A Climate Change Working Group, chaired by the Director Environment, Culture and Communities, was established by the Executive Member for Environment in July 2007 to further Council’s commitment to the Nottingham Declaration.
5.3 A draft Climate Change Action Plan has been developed by the Climate Change Working Group in consultation with key Council officers. The draft Action Plan has also been discussed by CMT and elected members. Any comments received from these sources have been incorporated in the latest draft.
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5.4 The draft Action Plan focuses mainly on short-term actions (2008-2011) that the Council can implement internally. It also includes some actions that our partners from the statutory, business, voluntary and community sectors can support through the Bracknell Forest Partnership and in their own organisations.
5.5 Consultation on the draft Action Plan will enable partners and local communities to contribute towards the development of the Bracknell Forest Climate Change Action Plan in accordance with the Nottingham Declaration. It will also gage their support and commitment to those parts of the Action Plan directly affecting them.
6 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor
6.1 Nothing to add to the report
Borough Treasurer
6.2 There are no direct financial implications arising from the report.
Equalities Impact Assessment
6.3 Equalities issues have been considered and incorporated into the draft Action Plan, including actions to address the needs of vulnerable families and individuals requiring support in terms of fuel utility costs.
Strategic Risk Management Issues
6.4 The purpose of the Draft Climate Change Action Plan is to address strategic risks resulting from climate change through mitigation and adaptation actions. No strategic risks resulting from the Action Plan have been identified.
Other Officers
6.5 None
7 CONSULTATION
Principal Groups Consulted
7.1 Climate Change Working Group, CMT, Elected Members.
Method of Consultation
7.2 Working Group meetings, key officer interviews, officer circulation for comment, CMT discussion, Elected Members briefing.
Representations Received
7.3 All representations are incorporated into latest draft Action Plan.
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Background Papers Draft Climate Change Action Plan (version 1.5 dated 29/05/2008)
Contact for further information Vincent Paliczka Environment Culture and Communities 01344 351750
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56 DRAFT
Bracknell Forest Borough Council Climate Change Action Plan
The Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change was signed by the Leader and Chief Executive of Bracknell Forest Borough Council on 27 th February 2007.
The Declaration committed us: “Within the next two years develop plans with our partners and local communities to progressively address the causes and the impacts of climate change, according to local priorities, securing maximum benefit for our communities.”
This is our first climate change action plan, which focuses mainly on short term actions that the Council can implement internally. We have, however, included some actions that our partners from the statutory, business, voluntary and community sectors can support through the Bracknell Forest Partnership and in their own organisations.
The aims of our climate change action plan are:
• To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the Council’s own operations, especially, energy sourcing and use, travel and transport, waste production and disposal, and the purchase of goods and services. • To implement policies which reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Borough. • To provide focus for climate change leadership in the Borough. • To highlight and support complimentary strategies and plans in the Borough e.g. waste & recycling, transport, housing development, biodiversity, etc. • To encourage members of the Bracknell Forest Partnership and other local organisations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. • To prepare for the impacts of climate change. • To demonstrate the economic, social and environmental benefits of tackling climate change. • To change attitudes and behaviour towards the use of natural resources, particularly fossil fuels.
This initial action plan covers a three year time frame from 2008 to 2011. This will be reviewed and updated annually as new information becomes available and new targets are set to progressively address the causes and impacts of climate change with the broader community of Bracknell Forest.
What is Climate Change?
Climate refers to the average weather experienced over a long period of time. This includes temperature, wind and rainfall patterns. The Earth’s climate is not static, and has changed many times in response to a variety of natural causes.
The Earth has warmed 0.74°C over the last hundred years. About 0.4°C of this warming has occurred since the 1970s.
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The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) leaves little doubt that human activity is the main cause of observed climatic changes.
The main human influence on global climate is emissions of the key greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. At present, just over 7 billion tonnes of CO 2 is emitted globally through fossil fuel use and an additional 1.6 billion tonnes are emitted by land use change, largely by deforestation. The concentration of these gasses in the atmosphere has now reached levels unprecedented for tens of thousands of years.
According to AR4, mean global temperatures are likely to rise between 1.1 and 6.4°C (with a best estimate of 1.8 to 4.0°C) above 1990 levels by the end of this century, depending on our emissions. This will result in further global sea level rises of between 20 and 60cm by the end of the century, continued melting of ice caps, glaciers and sea ice, changes in rainfall patterns and intensification of tropical cyclones.
For the UK, climate change means hotter, drier summers, milder, wetter winters, higher sea levels and a risk of coastal flooding. Across the globe, there will be more intense heat waves, droughts and more flooding. There may be severe problems for regions where people are particularly vulnerable to changes in the weather. Food shortages and the spread of disease are commonly predicted.
Why Must We Act?
Under the international Kyoto Protocol, the UK must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels over the 2008-2012 commitment period.
In 1997, the UK Government set a national goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010. In 2003 the Energy White Paper adopted a longer term goal to put the UK on a path to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050, with real progress by 2020.
While the UK is on track to meet its Kyoto Protocol target, more needs to be done to achieve our challenging domestic targets. The 2006 Climate Change Programme reaffirms Government commitment and sets out a programme to achieve our domestic targets.
The draft Climate Change Bill (2007) proposes to put into statute the UK’s target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action by at least 60% by 2050 and 26-32% by 2020 against a 1990 baseline.
The Stern Review: The Economics of Climate Change (2007) concluded that the costs of not acting will be equivalent to 5% of global GDP each year and could rise to 20% if a wider range of risks and impacts are taken into account. In contrast, the cost of acting now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the worst impacts of climate change can be limited to about 1% of global GDP per year.
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Carbon Dioxide Emissions Baseline
Since 2003, DEFRA has published experimental statistics of carbon dioxide emissions for Local Authority areas.
In 2007, the Department for Communities and Local Government published a set of 189 national performance indicators, including NI186- per capita reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the Local Authority area.
DEFRA proposes to use the 2005 experimental statistics to set the baseline for this indicator and to upgrade them from experimental to full national statistics status when the 2006 data set is published in 2008.
In Bracknell Forest the main sources of carbon dioxide emissions by end user (2005) are:
Domestic Industrial & Road Land Use Total Commercial Transport Changes Bracknell 255 319 189 -1 761 Forest (kt CO 2) Bracknell 34% 42% 25% - 100% Forest % UK % 29% 46% 23% 2% 100%
Carbon dioxide emissions per capita:
Bracknell Forest South East UK Average Average Per capita CO 2 6.9 8.4 9.3 (tonnes) Domestic per capita 2.3 2.5 2.5 CO 2 (tonnes)
Per capita emissions are derived from energy consumption from all sources, adjusted by removing emission from industrial users already covered by carbon trading (ETS) and emissions due to motorway and rail travel. The resulting emissions are allocated as “end user” (i.e. all citizens) and reflect their energy use in the workplace, at home, through local travel and through consumption and lifestyle generally. NB they exclude aviation and shipping emissions – although these will be covered by carbon trading eventually.
The first table shows that Bracknell Forest emits a higher percentage of domestic (household) and road transport CO 2 than the national average but a lower percentage of industrial & commercial and land use change CO 2 than the national average.
The second table shows that Bracknell Forest emits less CO2 per capita across all end user sectors as well as the domestic (household) sector than the South East or UK average.
The apparent contradictions in these figures may be due to the different intensity of end user sectors in Bracknell Forest, relative to the resident population. Although the domestic per capita CO 2 emissions (2.3 tonnes) is below the South East and UK average (2.5 tonnes) this is no cause for complacency.
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Gaining a better understanding of where our carbon dioxide emissions come from in the Borough enables us to focus our actions where they will have the most impact.
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Taking the Lead
Adapting to the changes brought about by climate change is one of the most important issues facing local government. These changes affect almost every aspect of our work: our buildings and infrastructure; our health and wellbeing; the landscape, habitat and species around us; and the goods and services we provide.
There is a growing consensus that councils should be leading the national effort to tackle climate change. Recent opinion polling by the LGA has shown that over three quarters (76%) of people agree that councils have a major role to play.
In signing the Nottingham Declaration and producing this strategy for wide consultation, Bracknell Forest Borough Council is recognising its leadership role. It is committed to ensuring that it has an understanding of how the risks associated with climate change affect core service delivery, infrastructure, assets and the well being of local communities.
Bracknell Forest Borough Council is taking the lead on climate change in the Borough to ensure the long term economic, social and environmental well- being of the local community. This includes taking advantage of the economic opportunities created by climate change and providing everyone in the community with a high quality, healthy, well adapted environment. It is also conscious of the impacts of climate change on the poorest communities of the world and believe that there is a moral imperative for everyone to take action on climate change - now.
Bracknell Forest Borough Council is uniquely placed to tackle climate change locally. It has a democratic mandate for action, enjoys close proximity to citizens through the services it delivers, has a strategic role convening and leading other public, private and voluntary sector partners, and works with other regional bodies.
By signing the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change, it made a commitment to work with partners and local communities to progressively address the causes and the impacts of climate change, according to local priorities, securing maximum benefit for our communities.
While Bracknell Forest Borough Council is leading by example in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from its own operations, far greater CO2 emissions are generated by the local community. We therefore plan to work with our partners and local communities to adopt low carbon lifestyles and tackle climate change together.
Climate Change is happening and the Council, businesses and community can reduce the environmental impacts of their actions in many different ways. By committing to the delivery of this strategy, the Council is accepting its leadership role in shaping our community and in the coming years plan to work with partners to deliver and develop this strategy further.
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No. Action SMART Target(s) Lead Team Partners Resource
Lead by example – improve our Review Council policies and Climate Change Chief Exec’s Office own policies and practices practices to ensure that sustainability Working Group DMTs is adequately and consistently CMT L1 addressed. Report to CMT by June 2009 Publish revised policies by March 2010 Publish and utilise planning policies Include sustainability in all planning Planning Policy Building Control to promote sustainability policy documents. CMT L2 Ensure compliance with sustainability requirements of planning policies - ongoing Engage with Bracknell Forest Secure commitment to the Bracknell BFP Board BFP partners
62 L3 Partnership to secure commitment Forest Climate Change Action Plan to action by December 2008 Optimise sustainability of all new Seek to achieve BREEAM “very CMT Surveyors E.g. Low Carbon Buildings grants Council buildings good” standards on all new Council provide 50% towards capital cost buildings by September 2009. of renewable energy technology. L4 Utilise “low carbon/renewable energy” grants, where available - ongoing Raise awareness and stimulate Maintain public awareness of climate Climate Change Corporate actions in the community change and sustainability issues. Working Group Communications L5 Implement a programme of community actions by March 2009 Support homeowners to improve Investigate alternative schemes to Climate Change L6 energy efficiency support home energy efficiency. Working Group Report to CMT by March 2009 Educate current and future Support the DC&F sustainable Climate Change Social Care & L7 generations on sustainability schools agenda in all Bracknell Working Group Learning Schools.
Support the Eco-Schools programme in local schools – ongoing. Provide sustainability educational support to community groups by December 2008 Print Council publications on All office printers to use recycled Corporate Services recycled paper, using paper by March 2009. L8 environmentally friendly printing All corporate publications printed in- processes, wherever feasible. house or externally by March 2009
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ENERGY
In 2004, the energy supply sector was responsible for about 36% of total UK carbon dioxide emissions. Over the previous decade, the sector reduced CO 2 emissions by about 19%. This was largely through the switch from carbon intensive fuels such as coal and oil, towards low or zero carbon emission fuels such as gas, nuclear and renewable energy.
In 2004, the domestic sector was responsible for about 30% of UK energy use and about 27% of carbon dioxide emissions on an end user basis. Energy is used by a wide range of different appliances in the home – with about 60% used for heating, 20% for hot water and the remainder for lighting and appliances.
The “energy hierarchy” should be used to determine priorities for action:
• Reduce the need for energy • Maximise energy efficiency • Use renewable energy
Combined heat and power is an efficient way to produce heat and electricity at the same time. CHP gives a 70-90% fuel efficiency compared to about 50% efficiency for a conventional power station. CHP enables a wide range of energy users, from heavy industry down to individual homes, to save money and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Types of renewable energy include:
• Wind turbines – electricity • Solar photovoltaic (PV) – electricity • Solar thermal – hot water • Fuel cells - electricity • Ground source heat pumps – hot water • Air source heat pumps – hot water • Biomass boilers – hot water • Hydro (water driven) – electricity
Bracknell Forest Borough Council is taking steps to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from its own properties and those of its partners in the Bracknell Forest Partnership. The council also provides support and subsidies for local residents to make their homes more energy efficient.
CHP is already used at Coral Reef and Bracknell Forest Leisure Centre and is being planned for the new Civic Hub and Time Square refurbishment. Renewable energy technologies are currently being planned for the new Garth Hill College.
From February 2008, all new developments over 5 houses or 500 M² of floor space for other development will have to demonstrate how carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by at least 10% and provide at least 20% on-site renewable energy generation. Development below this threshold will need to provide at least 10% of their energy requirements from on-site renewable energy generation (Policy CS12 of the Council’s Core Strategy.
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No. Action SMART Target(s) Lead Team Partners Resource
Internal
Participate in the Carbon Trust's Application submitted February 2008. Climate Change Carbon Trust. Carbon Trust funded. Officer time E1 Local Authority Carbon Programme completion January Team. 2 days per week x 10 months Management Programme. 2009. from existing resource. Improve energy monitoring and Establish Systemlink for all Council Climate Change All Council Systemlink software already targeting in all Council properties. properties by January 2009. Team. departments. installed. Energy Technical Train service managers in use of Assistant appointment approved. Systemlink by April 2009. E2 Enter direct meter reading data for all properties by April 2009. Provide quarterly energy reports to 65 departmental management teams by July 2009. Improve energy metering. Identify sites where sub-metering is Climate Change All Council Cost of meters TBC needed by December 2008. Team. departments. Submit proposals to DMT by April 2009. E3 Investigate feasibility of smart meters at all Council properties by June 2009. Report to CMT by September 2009 Implement Energy Performance of Obtain accreditation as an Energy Energy Manager Cost of accreditation £ Buildings Directive in Council Performance Assessor by September E4 properties. 2008. Display certificates in relevant Council buildings by October 2008. Embed carbon management in Review energy policy and Climate Change CMT Existing resources Council energy policy and procedures in light of LA Carbon Team E5 procedures. Management Programme by January 2009. Establish carbon reduction targets for
all Council departments by March 2009. Review Energy Efficiency Accreditation £3,000 Accreditation for renewal in 2009 Report to CMT by March 2009. Supply a minimum 20% on-site Assess renewable energy options for Climate Change Planning. Garth Hill OSP has DFES renewable energy on all new New Civic Hub & Garth Hill College Team. GHOSP PMT financial incentive to exceed LDF E6 Council properties over 500 M² in by September 2008. Chief Exec’s Office. target. accordance with Local Development Framework. Investigate the feasibility of Review boiler replacement schedule Climate Change Surveyors. Existing resources. CHP for Time installing on-site renewable energy and high carbon sites to identify Team. square already approved. in existing Council premises. priorities by July 2009. E7 Conduct an options appraisal for priority sites by December 2009. Report to CMT by March 2010 Investigate the feasibility of using Review available technologies by Street Lighting Transport Planning Existing resources no/low energy & on-site renewable September 2009. Suppliers E8 66 technology for street signs, street Report to DMT by December 2009. lighting, traffic lights and bus stops. Investigate energy saving Undertake Gartner Benchmarking for ICT Suppliers Seeking £6,000 for Gartner opportunities in ICT Green ITC Civic Hub Group Benchmarking Data Centre power reduction and air Procurement conditioning ongoing. Thin client desktop investigation by January 2009 Review procurement of all ICT to E9 ensure green credentials by January 2009 Review office printers to reduce printers, paper, toner & energy by March 2009 Investigate whether Citrix Servers can be powered off when not in use by September 2008
Review funding mechanisms for Review Low Carbon Buildings and Climate Change Corporate Finance. Existing resources energy/carbon saving measures. similar grant schemes by September Team Carbon Trust 2008. E10 Review Council’s Spend-to-Save scheme by March 2009. Consider SALIX fund application by March 2009. Review the potential for wind Work with the Carbon Trust’s turbines on Council owned land. Partnerships for Renewables to conduct a feasibility study of Council E11 owned sites for wind turbine potential by March 2009. 67
Households
Promote energy efficiency in private Achieve 1% decrease of those in fuel Climate Change British Gas and Sustainable Energy Officer sector homes to meet NI187 targets poverty under SAP 35 and 1% Team Marks Insulations and contribute towards new NI 186. increase in those above SAP 65 per Warm Front E12 NI 187 by December 2009 Bracknell Forest Homes
Promote Flexible Loan Scheme to Value of loans awarded by April 2009 Environmental Berkshire Grants Officer to be trained & private home owners for home Health Team Authorities licensed improvements. /Housing Strategy E13 Team
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TRANSPORT
In 2005, the transport sector was responsible for around 27% of total UK carbon dioxide emissions. While emissions caused by UK industry declined by 19% since 1990, those attributed to transport increased by 14% over the same period.
The increase in transport emissions is due to the following factors:
• As the economy grows, people travel further and buy more goods from all over the world. • As people become more prosperous they choose to travel in ways that use more carbon. • Although average new car fuel efficiency has improved by 10% since 1997, this is not enough to offset the increase in travel.
The 2006 UK Climate Change Programme commits the Government to reducing the impact of travel on the environment; reducing the carbon content of transport fuels; increasing the fuel efficiency of vehicles and; encouraging a move towards more environmentally friendly forms of transport.
In Bracknell Forest, the Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 focuses on five broad objectives:
• To maintain local roads • To improve road safety • To reduce peak hour congestion • To provide better access to essential services • To improve public transport
The LTP is subjected to a Strategic Environmental Assessment to ensure that environmental issues are integrated into the final document.
SEA Objective 11 - Climate Change:
“The LTP will have positive impacts when mitigating the causes of climate change because reducing traffic and encouraging the use of sustainable methods of transport are key themes of the plan. This will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, which contributes towards climate change, and this will in turn reduce secondary impacts, including flooding, impacts on biodiversity and health.”
In addition to its transport planning function, Bracknell Forest Borough Council operates a substantial fleet of vehicles and employs a large number of personnel who travel on Council business and between home and work. All of these contribute to the Borough’s carbon dioxide emissions.
From 2008 all Local Authorities will be measured against 198 national performance indicators. Two of these include carbon dioxide emissions from road transport and one relates to the mode of travel to schools:
NI 185 CO 2 reduction from Local Authority operations NI 186 Per capita CO 2 emissions in the LA area NI 198 Children travelling to school – mode of travel usually used
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Bracknell Forest Borough Council works in partnership with other statutory, business, voluntary and community sector organisations through the Bracknell Forest Partnership. This contains a number of theme partnerships including the Bracknell Transport Partnership, which will support the roll out of this action plan in the broader community.
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No. Action SMART Target(s) Lead Team Partners Resource
Transport Planning
Increase the use of sustainable • Increase cycling by 20% over Planning and Bracknell Forest Existing resource modes of transport 2003/04 levels by March 2011 Transportation Partnership T1 • Improve bus patronage on 2004/05 levels by 6% by March 2011 Increase the number of children • All schools to have a school Planning and Schools Local authority schools are travelling to school by travel plan by 2010 Transportation Education eligible to receive a school travel T2 sustainable modes of transport • Reduce car use to school to Department planning grant worth up to £5000 33% by March 2010
71 Constrain the increase of traffic • Constrain road traffic growth to Planning and Bracknell Forest Existing resource T3 on Bracknell’s roads 4.6% over the five years to Transportation Partnership March 2011 Reduce staff travel by • Review BFBC staff travel policy HR Climate Change Implementation of a Staff Travel unsustainable modes of by September 2008 Working Group Plan is outstanding (even though transport • Amend staff travel policy by the LTP states that we will adopt December 2008 one by December 2006 T4 • Implement revised staff travel policy by March 2009 • Implement staff travel plan by Planning and September 2009 Transportation Increase green travel planning • Establish green travel planning Transport Partnership Bracknell Forest Existing resource in the Borough objectives by December 2008 Partnership T5 • Promote best practice to local organisations by July 2009
Fleet Management
Centralise the management of • Report on passenger transport Integrated Transport Passenger Existing resource Social Services transport service provision by September Unit transport users services for greater efficiency. 2009 • Transfer passenger transport T6 services to the Integrated Transport Unit by April 2010 • Promote service to additional users by July 2010 Improve transport management • Pilot Advanced Passenger Integrated Transport APTS Software already acquired. system Transport Service (APTS) Unit Vehicle Tracking System TBC software by September 2009 • Provide detailed management reports by January 2010 T7 • Extend to all fleet vehicle users Fleet vehicle users HR 72 by April 2010 • Extend to staff travel by September 2010 Berkshire Shared • Investigate feasibility of a Services Vehicle Tracking System Improve driver skills • Provide SAFED (Safe & Fuel Integrated Transport HR One day subsidised SAFED Efficient Driving) training to all Unit driver training @ £50 for 20 passenger & goods vehicle drivers piloted April 2008. T8 drivers by April 2009 HR Additional drivers @ £150 pp. • Offer equivalent driver training to all Council staff from April 2010 Reduce environmental impact of • Undertake a green fleet review Integrated Transport Climate Change Review fully funded by the vehicle fleet from the Energy Savings Trust Unit Working Group Department of transport T9 by March 2010 • Submit report with recommendations by July 2010
Improve green fleet • Establish green fleet Transport Partnership Bracknell Forest Promotional costs management practices in the management objectives by Partnership Borough December 2009 • Increase membership of the T10 Transport Partnership by December 2009 • Promote best practice to local fleet managers by July 2010
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WASTE
How we manage our waste has a direct impact on climate change. Everyday waste contains readily biodegradable organic matter such as kitchen waste, garden waste and paper. When these wastes break down in landfill they give off carbon dioxide and methane gas. Methane is one of the greenhouse gasses that are believed to be contributing to the effects of climate change.
Here are some facts from DEFRA about the link between our waste and climate change:
• Whilst CO 2 (carbon dioxide) is the most prevalent greenhouse gas, methane is 23 times more damaging to the atmosphere than CO 2.
• Methane emissions from biodegradable waste in landfill account for 40% of all UK methane emissions and 3% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions.
• Current UK recycling of waste materials is estimated to save more than 18 million tonnes of CO 2, through avoided primary material production. That’s equivalent to the annual CO 2 output of 5 million cars.
Although it’s a complex thing to assess, recycling is often less energy intensive than making products from virgin materials. For example aluminium recycling uses 95% less energy than is used in making the same product from aluminium ore. Energy consumption is a major contributor to climate change and recycling can be one way of reducing it.
The way in which waste is collected also has an impact on climate change. Vehicles are a major source of CO 2 emissions and so recent developments like kerbside recycling enable councils to greatly reduce the number of journeys that would previously have been needed to recover the same amount of recyclable waste from residents.
Bracknell Forest Borough Council has worked to continually increase the amount of waste recycled and composted including promoting home composting. The council introduced Alternate Weekly Collections in 2006. The amount of waste recycled and composted has increased from 9% in 1998 to over 40% in 2008.
Bracknell Forest Borough Council has formed a partnership with Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils together with waste disposal contractor Waste Recycling Group (WRG). This partnership is known as re3 and WRG has a 25-year contract to provide new waste facilities (which includes educational facilities) to deal with the 200,000 tonnes of waste from the three councils in the most sustainable and cost effective way. It also aims to encourage people to reduce, reuse and recycle more waste and will minimise landfill by diverting a proportion of residual waste to produce energy.
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The re3 partners have formulated a joint waste strategy and have adopted the Government waste hierarchy (National Waste Strategy 2007) below, which shows the best way to deal with waste. The most important action is to reduce the amount of waste we produce in the first place.
Bracknell Forest Borough Council as an individual authority and as part of the re3 partnership is committed to the protection of the environment in relation to management of waste and climate change and will continually review ways in which these issues can be tackled.
The Waste Hierarchy
Preferred Technique
WASTE PREVENTION
RE-USE
RECYCLE / COMPOST
ENERGY RECOVERY
DISPOSAL ie landfill Least Preferred Technique
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No Action SMART Target(s) Lead Partners Resource
Waste Strategy
Implement joint waste strategy • Adopt the joint waste strategy re3 partners. Other stakeholders. Use grant funding from DEFRA with partner councils (Reading for Bracknell Forest by Contractors. and staff time within existing and Wokingham Councils) with December 2008. Joint Waste Board. budgets. objective based on the waste W1 • Publish strategy by April 2009 hierarchy in the National • Implement strategy by April Waste Strategy using best 2009 practical environmental options. Ensure that the Council has a • The Council has a waste Corporate Services. Waste and Facilities management budgets. strategy to reduce waste from strategy for its own premises Facilities Recycling Team. W2 Council offices and other to ensure it leads by example Management. Climate Change Council-owned premises. by April 2009. Group. 76
Investigate feasibility of • Feasibility study 2009/10. re3 partners. Collection Waste performance efficiency partnership work with waste contractors. grant. W3 collection services.
Waste Minimisation and Awareness
Build on current participation in • Develop a co-ordinated re3 waste re3 council waste From re3 waste minimisation recycling and composting and programme for awareness minimisation officers. and recycling budget and current promotion seek to raise awareness to raising for the whole teams. budgets. W4 effect positive behavioural community. change. • Produce a schools pack about waste and recycling. Waste and Recycling • Produce A-Z of waste as Team.
booklet to be delivered to all residents as well as on website. Support and advise local small • Apply for funding for resource re3 partners. Business Link. Brew funding if application businesses on recycling and to survey local businesses. Environwise. successful. W5 waste reduction • Work with larger business to re3 partners current resources. promote best practice. • Networking and partnerships.
Garden Waste
Promotion of home • Increase the number of home re3 waste WRAP (Waste WRAP to fund promotional composting. composters delivered in the minimisation officers. Resources Action events. W6 Borough. Programme) and Manage delivery of compost re3 partners. bins, help line and promotional 77 material. Promotion of the garden waste • Increase participation in the Recycling officer. re3 waste From recycling promotional collection scheme. minimisation budget. W7 scheme by 5%. officer. Other stakeholders.
Recycling
Increase glass and textile • Increase the number of Recycling officer. re3 waste From waste disposal budget recycling sites in Bracknell recycling sites available to contractor. Forest. residents for items not Ensure all new developments collected at the kerbside. Planning Dept Funded as part of new are provided with underground Developers. development recycling sites for glass and W8 charity banks. Waste and Recycling Enforcement Funded from Waste Ensure all recycling sites have • Reduce the amount of Team. teams. Performance Efficiency Grant. clear signs, new litter bins and dumped rubbish at recycling advice on fly-tipping. sites. Waste collection contractor
Investigate various methods of • Report on the feasibility and Waste & Recycling Re3 Waste Within existing budgets. dealing with food waste and cost of food collections and Team. Minimisation assess feasibility of collections food digesters officers. W9 and food digesters. Re3 partners.
Participants in trial. Waste performance Efficiency grant. Work with local charities, • Become a partner in a Waste & Recycling Local Charities, Self funded charity project with voluntary groups and other community recycling art and Team Bracknell Day donations from Waste organisations to develop small craft project in the Town Centre, Children’s Performance Efficiency Grant. recycling and reuse schemes Centre to include the following, Play Development for items that are currently if feasible: Implement a Services, Re3 W10 more difficult to recycle and community repaint scheme in Waste Minimisation reuse. the Borough. Help to officers implement a Scrap Store in the Borough, if feasible.
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PROCUREMENT
The UK Government’s 2005 Sustainable Development Strategy set out the ambitious goal to make the UK a leader in the EU in sustainable procurement by 2009.
“Sustainable Procurement is a process whereby organisations meet their needs for goods, services, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money on a whole life basis in terms of generating benefits not only to the organisation, but also to society and the economy, while minimising damage to the environment.” Procuring the Future (Sustainable Procurement Task Force, June 2006)
The Local Government Sustainable Procurement Strategy (LGA, November 2007) was drawn up in response to the recommendations of the Sustainable Procurement Task Force and in light of the Government’s response and national action plan published in March 2007.
Local Government spends more than £40 billion each year undertaking capital projects and buying goods and services. LGA notes, “Our spending decisions are an important instrument in tackling climate change both by reducing carbon emissions and ensuring that our buildings and infrastructure are resilient to climate change.”
At Bracknell Forest Borough Council (BFBC) we spend approximately £90 million per annum on goods and services. Our Procurement Strategy, to deliver the Council’s Medium Term Objectives, was approved in 2003 and is updated annually with support from an interdepartmental Strategic Procurement Group. We also have an e- Procurement Strategy 2008 for the use of electronic processes to support procurement within the council.
We have a small team of specialised procurement officers in the Corporate Procurement Group who develop procurement policies and procedures and establish and manage corporate contracts. All other procurement and purchasing activities are devolved to departmental budget holders with central advice and support.
The Council’s Corporate Procurement team was set up in 2002 in recognition of the need to bring a more professional approach to the way the Council had previously procured goods and services. The primary objectives of the team are to secure financial savings and to ensure that the Council complies with relevant legislation. A stretching financial target for ongoing savings has been set for the next two financial years (£200,000 in 2008/09 with a further £170,000 in 2009/10).
Procurement has published a Sustainable Purchasing Guide as Appendix 3 of the Procurement Manual. The Guide “promotes awareness of the environmental, social and economic impacts of various goods and services and aims to help staff involved in Council purchasing to integrate sustainability into purchasing decisions.”
From April 2007, the previous Head of Procurement for BFBC was seconded for two years to the Berkshire Procurement and Shared Services Unit (BPSSU) to help drive strategic and collaborative procurement within the Thames Valley region.
The current policy framework provides an opportunity to review our procurement policies and practices to ensure that sustainable procurement is fully embedded into all parts of our procurement processes.
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No. Action SMART Target Lead Team Partners Resource
Review progress towards • Establish current position on the Strategic Climate Change Existing resource sustainable procurement and LGA sustainable procurement Procurement working group. identify improvements required. flexible framework by December Group. 2008 • Identify priority areas for P1 improvement by December 2008 • Submit report for CMT approval by March 2009
Embed sustainable • Review strategies for Strategic Climate Change Existing resource procurement in the sustainable procurement Procurement working group. P2 Procurement Strategy. content by September 2009 Group. • Revise strategies for approval
80 by CMT by December 2009 Embed sustainable • Review Procurement Manual Corporate Climate Change Existing resource procurement in procurement and related documents for Procurement. working group. processes and procedures. sustainable procurement Legal Services content by September 2010 P3 • Revise documents for approval by SPG by December 2010 • Implement revised processes and procedures by April 2011 Implement Quick Wins in • Review OGC’s Sustainability Strategic Existing resource procurement specifications. Mandatory Standards (Quick Procurement Wins) 2007 for BFBC by Group. September 2009 P4 • Submit recommendations for adoption to CMT by December 2009 • Implement approved quick wins
by April 2010 Increase purchases of • Analyse sustainable purchase Corporate Climate Change Existing resource sustainable goods and practice in BFBC (e.g. Banner Procurement. Working group. services. o2o Green Guide purchases) by September 2009. • Survey attitudes to sustainable P5 purchasing amongst authorised purchasers by September 2009 • Develop action plan for approval by CMT by January 2010 • Implement approved action plan by September 2010
81
ADAPTATION
There is now widespread scientific consensus that man-made greenhouse gas emissions are leading to rapid and potentially irreversible climate change.
The Stern Review highlighted the fact that even if the world were to cease all greenhouse gas emissions tomorrow, we would still face many decades of climate change, due to the length of time that carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere. Although efforts to cut emissions should continue, it is essential that we begin adapting assets, infrastructure and services to cope with the future impacts of climate change.
The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP 02) identifies the following climate change risks for SE England;
• Hotter, drier summers, • Milder, wetter winters, • More frequent extreme high temperatures, • More frequent heavy downpours of rain, • Significant decreases in soil moisture content in summer, • Sea level rises and increases in storm surge height, • Possible higher wind speeds.
While Bracknell Forest may not feel the direct impact of sea level rises and storm surges, there is a risk of flooding from local rivers and surface water.
The Local Development Framework, informed by a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, limits development in the floodplains of The Cut and Blackwater rivers on the northern and southern boundaries of the Borough. However, the risk of flooding from surface water run-off during periods of heavy and prolonged rainfall is less predictable and may occur anywhere in the Borough.
Bracknell Forest was fortunate to avoid the worst of the summer 2007 floods, which cost eighteen Local Authorities a quarter of a billion pounds. Seventy percent of this cost was incurred by just four Local Authorities. The floods also highlighted problems of coordination amongst the agencies responsible for water management and emergency response.
At the other end of the spectrum, hotter, drier summers can cause drought, resulting in domestic water restrictions; hosepipe bans; plant die-off; species migration and forest fires.
During the summer 2006 drought and hosepipe ban, Bracknell Forest Borough Council reached agreement with local pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim, to use the company’s purified waste water for plant irrigation in the Town Centre. This was trialled during the 2007 growing season and will be continued and extended in future years.
Extreme variations in the moisture content of soil can cause heave and shrinkage, resulting in structural damage to buildings.
82
No. Action SMART Target Lead Team Partners Resource
Water
Reduce the risk of surface • Establish GIS mapping of Climate Change Thames Water. Existing resource flooding throughout the surface flooding incidents by Team. Environment Borough. September 2009. Agency. • Review surface water drainage Environment & to identify areas at risk of Public Protection. A1 flooding under climate change predictions by December 2009. • Develop an appropriate surface water drainage strategy by December 2010. 83 Reduce water use in council • Establish water monitoring and Climate Change Existing resource buildings. targeting system for all Council Team. premises by July 2010. • Provide quarterly water reports to departmental management teams by September 2010. • Investigate feasibility of dual Corporate A2 flush toilets and time controlled Services. taps • Include water consumption data in annual energy report by December 2010. • Reduce water consumption & leakage by 5% by March 2011
Encourage public to have more • Seek approval from Bracknell Landscape Bracknell Flowers Increased promotional time & environmentally friendly Flowers' committee for greater Services. committee. cost. gardens, reducing need for recognition of green initiatives in Boehringer watering. all categories of the Your Ingleheim. Gardens competition by June 2009 • Increase promotion of green gardening and water conservation techniques e.g. garden centre day. • Switch to the use of grey water to maintain all floral displays & publicise on Council water tankers. • Maximise the use of grey water at satellite sites i.e. Binfield A3 House Nursery. • Install a roadside trial of drought 84 tolerant sedum matting as an alternative to bedding or grass. • Demonstrate drought resistant planting in Town Centre planters. • Promote awareness of the impact of excessive hard surface in front & rear gardens by reducing water infiltration and increasing surface run off. • Encourage new planting of woody plants to take place during the winter months by September 2009. Improve water supply and • Increase planting of amenity Landscape Ranger Services. Increased cost of planting A4 retention to trees in order to trees during winter months. Services. boxes, compost/mulch/wood reduce impacts of warmer • The Council will not plant trees chip.
summers and droughts. outside of the planting season. • Use of drought resistant tree species to be given greater consideration. • Greater use of the planting box to minimise run off and evaporation of water. • Greater utilisation of compost/ mulch/wood chip to prepare planting pits and top dress newly planted trees. Reduce water consumption in • Reduce average water Planning and Existing resource new buildings. consumption by design in new Transportation. residential dwellings to 110 litres per person/day & exceed
85 A5 statutory requirements in non- residential buildings. Per Sustainable Resource Management SDP by December 2008. Future-proof the water impacts • Implement water efficiency & Planning and Environment Existing resource of new development. flood prevention techniques: Transportation. Agency. rainwater harvesting, grey & black water recycling, low water landscaping & gardening, & A6 sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS). Per Sustainable Resource Management SDP by December 2008.
Open Spaces
Adapt maintenance • Review current maintenance Landscape Assess implications once review programmes for parks and regimes to accommodate Services and changes in growing season open spaces to changes in the altered growth patterns of plants are known growth patterns of plants i.e. grass cutting, pruning requirements etc • Continue to write risk management policy document A7 addressing climate change and its impact on the relationship between trees and structures. • Greater use of mulching and soil improvement techniques to improve soil structure in beds and borders. Plan for impacts of climate • Tree Service and Ecologist to be Landscape Friends Groups Increased consultation time by change on species and habitat consulted on all tree planting Services Countryside Tree Service and Ecologist. 86 A8 conservation and migration schemes to advise on site and Parks & Agency species selection Countryside English Nature Service
Local Development and Building Design
Implement microclimate design • Per Sustainable Resource Planning and Existing resource principles: green space, Management SDP by December Transportation. A9 orientation of buildings & 2008. streets, shading, cool pavement materials, & passive ventilation. Plant trees to provide shade. • Encourage schools and other Landscape Education. TBC – conditional on availability land owners to plant shade trees Services. Ranger Service. of funds to plant and maintain A10 utilising national events i.e. new trees. National Tree Week.
Emergency Response
Improve prevention and • Review the Thames Valley Emergency Thames Valley Existing resource response to climate change Community Risk Register for Planning. Local Resilience emergencies. climate change impacts by Forum. September 2009. Berkshire • Develop appropriate prevention Integrated A11 & response strategies & plans Emergency by December 2009. Planning (BIEPS). • Support Berkshire Local Authorities’ climate change adaptation strategies by January 2010. 87
RAISING AWARENESS
There can be few people today who are not aware of climate change through the popular media. From extreme weather events around the globe to melting ice caps and the plight of the polar bears, climate change is rarely out of the news.
How our everyday lifestyles contribute towards climate change and what effects it may have on our lives or those of our children are less well understood.
The widespread scientific consensus that man-made greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for climate change and the increasing evidence of the consequences are galvanising our actions around two themes:
• Mitigation – reducing greenhouse gas emissions. • Adaptation – preparing for the consequences.
Hence, while the Council has been raising awareness of environmental issues for many years, the emphasis is now shifting to their climate change impact.
The Energy Savings Trust identified three ways that Local Authorities can address climate change:
• As estate managers - Local Authorities are large employers and major consumers of energy and other resources. Through better management of transport and buildings, Councils can cut emissions and save money. They can also consider how their estate can be better adapted to the changing climate. • As service providers - For all the services a Local Authority provides, from Emergency Planning to Social Care, Councils can ensure that the impacts of climate change are properly taken into account and emissions are cut as far as possible. • As community leaders - through the Sustainable Community Strategy and Local Strategic Partnership, Local Authorities can work with other public and private agencies and the wider community to help cut the overall emissions of their area and develop an integrated response to climate change adaptation.
Raising awareness of climate change will take place in each of these areas to ensure that everyone is able to play their part in the major challenge of our time. This includes councillors, council staff, members of the Bracknell Forest Partnership, local statutory, business, voluntary and community sector organisations and individual members of the community.
88
No. Action SMART Target Lead Team Partners Resource
Internal
Raise staff awareness of the • Publish Climate Change Action Climate Change Corporate Existing resources Climate Change Action Plan. Plan by February 2009. Working Group. Communications. R1 • Include actions in Council CMT. service plans for 2009/10. Include climate change in staff • Include climate change in staff H.R. Existing resources training programmes. induction programme by July 2009. • Include climate change in staff H.R. training and development
89 R2 programmes, where relevant, by July 2009. • Run environmental Schools management workshops for Environmental school managers and Management governors annually. Group. Develop an Energy Champions • Pilot Energy Champions in Climate Change Facilities Existing resources network to improve energy Environment Culture & Team Management. efficiency in Council premises. Communities by 2008. • Run Energy Champions workshops quarterly. R3 • Roll out Energy Champions pilot to all departments by July 2009. • Broaden Energy Champions role to become Climate Change Champions by July 2010. Maintain staff awareness through • Publish a Climate Change page Climate Change Corporate Existing resources R4 internal communications channels. on BORIS with links to relevant Team Communications, resources. I.T.
• Publish climate change articles in Forest Views. • Run global Turn-It-Off Energy Champions campaign using BORIS, e-mail, posters & stickers (including every PC) • Publish annual Corporate Education. Energy Report and Schools Environmental Report.
Increase the number of registered • Increase Eco-School Climate Change Education. Existing resources Eco-Schools achieving awards. registrations to 22 by Team December 2008. R5 • Increase awards to 10 bronze, 3 silver, & 1 green flag by July 2009. Promote environmental education • Develop learners awareness of Social Care & Schools in schools. the environment and climate Learning 90 change through Geography and cross curricular activities. R6 • Incorporate environmental and climate change themes in intra/inter school collaborative projects e.g. music & dance.
Low Carbon Buildings
Raise awareness of climate • Brief planners and building Planning. Already underway. change implications for planners control officers on the Building Control. Existing resources and building control officers. implications of climate change R7 policies and regulations affecting their work by December 2008. Disseminate climate change policy • Brief developers on the Local Planning. Already underway. R8 information for developers. Development Framework and Briefing costs
supplementary planning documents by January 2009 • Promote Code for Sustainable Homes by January 2009 Demonstrate good practice in • Publish development plans for Chief Exec’s Corporate Publicity costs & staff time sustainable building design and Bracknell Town Centre, Civic Office. Communications. construction. Hub and Garth Hill College. Garth Hill PMT. • Publicise the good practice R9 features of new developments by September 2009. • Arrange site visits to demonstrate good practice by September 2010.
Strategic Planning 91 Raise awareness of climate • Run climate change briefings in Climate Change Theme Partnerships. Existing resources change amongst all members of each theme partnership by Team. the Bracknell Forest Partnership. December 2009. • Establish a climate change Partnership R10 champion in each theme. Board. partnership by December 2009 • Establish quarterly climate change champions meetings by Climate Change January 2010. Partnership. Include climate change in all • Community Plan 2009. Chief Exec’s BF Partnership. Existing resources R11 Bracknell Forest Partnership • Corporate Plans 2009. Office. strategies and plans. • Local Area Agreement 2009. Include climate change in all • Work plans reflect climate Partnership Theme Partnerships. Existing resources R12 theme partnership work. change implications by 2009. Board.
Encourage partnership members • Action plans published Partnership BFP Members. Existing resources R13 to develop and publish their own annually. Board. CC action plans.
Throughout the Borough
Raise awareness of climate • Encourage town & parish Climate Change Environment Existing resources change amongst community councils to develop Climate Team Partnership. groups. Change action plans by Town & Parish January 2010. Councils. • Encourage voluntary sector BFVA, Federation of organisations to adopt the Third Community Groups. Sector Declaration on Climate Chamber of R14 Change by January 2010. Commerce. • Encourage churches to participate in Operation Noah. • Work with Chamber of Commerce to raise awareness in the business sector by January 2010. Communicate climate change to Publish a Climate Change page Climate Change Corporate Existing resources 92 • the public through a variety of local on BFBC web site with links to Team Communications. I.T. media. relevant resources. • Publish climate change articles in Town & Country. R15 • Issue climate change press releases to local media. • Promote climate change behaviour at public events.
Establish a Climate Change Award • Agree categories, criteria and Climate Change Climate Change Cost of awards and award Scheme to reward individuals and awards by September 2009 Team working group. ceremony. organisations in the Borough that • Publish award scheme by Climate Change R16 have made a significant January 2010 Partnership. contribution to combating climate • Call for entries by November Partnership Board. change. 2010. Corporate • Hold first award ceremony by Communications
February 2011
93
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94 Agenda Item 8
TO: THE EXECUTIVE 24 JUNE 2008
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY REPORT ON ROAD TRAFFIC CASUALTIES (Director of Environment Culture and Communities)
1 PURPOSE OF DECISION
1.1 To determine the Executive’s response to the recommendations in the report by the Environment and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel’s Working Group on Road Traffic Casualties.
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 That a local performance target for slight injuries on a three-year rolling average be adopted as part of the National Casualty Reduction target set.
2.2 That it be noted that the new targets contained in the LAA for reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured in the Borough have been approved by the Government Office.
2.3 To adopt targets which demonstrate incremental change.
2.4 That a letter be sent to the Deptartment for Transport asking for some changes to be made in the basis for targets for casualty reduction in the next review.
2.5 That a standard note on the circumstances recorded of an accident involving fatal injury, and the verdict of the Coroner be prepared for the Executive Member for Planning and Transportation and local members.
2.6 To welcome Thames Valley Police involvement in the process.
2.7 To thank the Working Group for their work.
3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
The Overview and Scrutiny Working Group spent considerable time reflecting on all the issues with the support of appropriate officers. As a consequence the report and recommendations are fully informed and merit support.
4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
4.1 Each of the recommendations have alternatives and these options were considered by the Working Group and the Executive Member. The detailed reasons why the recommendations are being proposed are highlighted in the supporting information. Additionally, the proposals of the working group when they were in the draft stage were also discussed with GOSE on targets for casualty reduction as part of the Local Area Agreement and they were given broad support.
95
5 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
5.1 The recommendations of the Working Group to the Council’s Executive are listed on page 16 of the Working Group’s report. These are attached as an annexe and, with some changes in detail, its findings are and recommendations are accepted.
5.2 The reasons behind the recommendations are explained below:
5.3 That a local performance target for slight injuries on a three-year rolling average be adopted as part of the National Casualty Reduction target set. Although the National Indicators do not now include a requirement to report on slight injuries, a reduction in slight injuries continues to be a National Casualty Reduction target. Slight injuries are more common than serious injuries or deaths and are a good indicator of locations any accident may occur, helping to direct highway improvements which are effective in reducing all casualties. The DfT estimates the average cost to the community of each injury accident is about £65,000, so a target for reduction in slights is a worthwhile aim in itself. Because the number of slight injuries In the Borough is relatively low, and therefore subject to chance variation, a three year rolling average (based on our single-year National Casualty Reduction targets) is recommended for the local target.
5.4 That the new targets contained in the LAA for reduction in the number of people (all ages) killed or seriously injured in the Borough be confirmed. GOSE is in agreement that the Council’s highly stretched targets for casualty reduction (the toughest in the Thames Valley police area) were over-ambitious, especially in the light of experience in other places too, that reductions are harder to achieve as the lower numbers of casualties are reached. Details of the new targets to be included in the LAA are included in Section 5.
5.5 To adopt targets without a “step change”. The new targets included in the LAA do not include a step change.
5.6 That a letter should be sent to the Dept. for Transport asking for some changes to be made in the basis for targets for casualty reduction in the next review. Members of the Working Group were particularly keen that proper account be taken of the additional burden put on high growth areas such as Bracknell Forest, and that the link to the National Targets should be clearer.
5.7 That a standard note on the circumstances recorded of an accident involving fatal injury, and the verdict of the Coroner be prepared for the Executive Member for Planning and Transportation and local members. To standardise on the information provided.
New Targets
5.8 The new NI 47 targets being included in the LAA are rolling three-year targets based on revised annual targets for killed and seriously injured (all ages). The annual targets in place at the time of the working group’s meetings are shown graphically in Figure 1 in the accompanying Working Group report. These, and the revised annual targets to end of 2010 are scheduled below.
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Killed and Serious Injured (all ages) (Baseline (average of 1994-98) - 77)
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Replaced target 47 32 31 30 29 28 (not more than) Annual figure behind new LAA target (not . . . 35 34 33 more than) Out-turn 35 62 36 - - -
These are expressed as rolling three-year LAA targets for 2008, 2009 and 2010 as.
2008 2009 2010 (average 2006-2008) (average 2007-2009) (average 2008-2010) LAA target 44* 35* 34
NOTE *Targets for 2008 and 2009 include out-turn figures for years 2006 and 2007 in the rolling three-year averages.
A letter to Government on the format of the current targets
5.9 Consultation on the current form of indicators, the National Indicators, was carried out last year, however a letter may be sent asking for changes in the format at the next review. There is little doubt that it is harder to make the same absolute reductions in casualties in areas of growth such as Bracknell Forest than elsewhere, and that a format which takes into account the growth and other contributory factors referred to in the report would be a fairer system, if one could be devised.
5.10 The standard reporting method for both National Indicator 47 (KSI all ages) and NI 48 (KSI children) compares the rolling three-year average in the reporting year to the rolling three-year average for the previous year, and the out-turn is reported as a percentage change on the previous year’s rolling three-year average. As such is makes no reference to the actual absolute target for reduction for 2010 which is the actual goal for target reduction.
A Standard Reporting Note on Accidents Involving Fatalities
5.11 Fatal accidents are fortunately fairly rare, and the issues they raise tend to the unique. Where there is local or wider concern over the incident, officers inform the Executive Member and local members on circumstances and developments, and share relevant confidential information known to them from their involvement in the investigation which follows the accident. A standard report which includes the non- confidential information form the police report is not current assembled, and such a report would be a useful record of the event, with information being added as it comes available.
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6 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor
6.1 No comment.
Borough Treasurer
6.2 The Government is still consulting on the practicalities of operating the new LAA. Achievement of targets could result in reward grant to the Authority
Equalities Impact Assessment
6.3 The reductions in targets do not represent a lessening of the Council’s commitment to drive down the numbers of people killed and injured on the Borough’s roads, but are a more realistic view of what is a stretching target.
Strategic Risk Management Issues
6.4 Part of developing and delivering all highways improvements in order to reduce road casualties full risk assessments are undertaken.
Other Officers
6.4 Not applicable.
7 CONSULTATION
Principal Groups Consulted
7.1 None
Method of Consultation
7.2 None
Representations Received
7.3 None
Background Papers • Report by the Working Group of the Environment and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Road Traffic Casualties. • Reporting Guidance on NI 47
Contact for further information Simon Birch [email protected] tel 351907 Roger Cook [email protected] tel 351903
Doc. Ref RPC/Traffic and Road Safety/Scrutiny
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Annexe 1
Recommendations of the Working Group
To the Council’s Executive, we recommend that:
1.1 The Council decides whether to adopt a local performance target for slight injuries, as the Government have ceased requiring this to be measured, and if so, this should be on a rolling three-year average basis.
1.2. The Council should consider, with its partners, its long term targets for casualty reduction, as set out in its Road Safety Plan and Service Plan. They need to be challenging yet achievable, and the current ‘stretched targets’ appear extremely ambitious.
1.3. The Council’s annual targets should not set a step reduction in any one year, but instead be based on a straight-line reduction to the 2010 ‘stretched’ BFBC targets.
1.4. The Council should ask government to change the methodology for computing performance on RTC reductions to take account of (a) growth and other contributory factors (paragraph 3.3 above refers); and (b) incorporating a progress measure against the national long-term target (paragraph 3.4 above refers).
1.5. Officers should standardise the form of a note to be issued to Local Members and the Executive Member for Planning and Transportation on the officially recorded circumstances of fatal road collisions and the causes of death issued by the Coroners Service. The Council should also use the information to demonstrate publicly that it has a full understanding of fatality cases and has both learnt what it can, and taken appropriate action in all cases.
To The Environment and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel, we recommend that:
1.6. The work of the Working Group be regarded as concluded.
1.7. The Environment and Leisure O&S Panel considers mounting a separate and substantive review of operational issues affecting road traffic casualties as part of its work programme, but as a low priority.
1.8. This report should be copied to all Thames Valley Highway Authorities for their information and interest.
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100 Agenda Item 9
TO: THE EXECUTIVE 24 JUNE 2008
DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME – ANNUAL REPORT (Director of Corporate Services)
1 PURPOSE OF DECISION
1.1 The Disability Equality Scheme (DES) Annual Report reports progress against the Council’s DES during its first year of implementation, 2006/07. The report includes detailed performance monitoring information against the DES action plan and examples of success stories of promoting equality of opportunity for disabled people in Bracknell Forest.
2 RECOMMENDATION
2.1 That the Disability Equality Scheme Annual Report be endorsed for publication on the Council website.
3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
3.1 To note progress of the DES being the key vehicle for meeting the Council’s statutory duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.
3.2 To note progress of the DES in contributing to Medium Term Objective Seven: Seek to ensure that every resident feels included and able to access the services they need.
4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
4.1 The Council’s DES contains a commitment to produce an annual progress report for Members. In light of this commitment, the option of not producing an annual progress report has not been pursued.
5 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Background
5.1 The Disability Equality Scheme was approved by the Executive of Bracknell Forest Borough Council in December 2006. The Council was required to produce and publish a Disability Equality Scheme (DES) as part of its specific duty set out in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 by December 2006. However, in order to fully engage disabled people it was agreed to extend the consultation period, and to defer the approval of an Action Plan until March 2007. The Executive approved the Action Plan on the 13 th March 2007, which was informed by the results of the extended consultation.
5.2 The DES covers how the Council will assess the impact of its current and future policies and practices on disabled people; an implementation plan setting out how
101
the Council will fulfil its general duty to promote disability equality; and what relevant information we already have about the needs of disabled people in its role as employer and as a service provider, and how it will gather further information.
5.3 From the extended consultation a detailed action plan was developed to build on the initial results. The results reinforced the priorities identified during the early consultation and did not identify any new priorities.
DES Annual Report
5.4 The DES Annual Report, Appendix 1, reports the progress that has been made in 2007 against this detailed action plan.
5.5 The DES Annual Report, Appendix 1, shows that excellent progress has been made in implementing the actions outlined in the DES. 96% of actions have either been completed or are due to be completed within their respective timescales, with the majority ahead of schedule. 5.6 Members’ attention is also drawn to a sample of case studies of where the Council has successfully applied the principles contained in the DES during 2007. These case studies are outlined on pages 8-11 of Appendix 1.
Challenges for the Future
5.7 The key challenge facing the Council is to ensure that those tasks that have missed their original deadline are now closely monitored to ensure that they are completed within their new time parameters. The Council must also ensure that the good progress that has been made with regard to promoting disability equality continues.
6 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor
6.1 No legal issues arise directly from the matters discussed in this report .
Borough Treasurer
6.2 Nothing to add to the report.
Equality Impact Assessment
6.3 The very nature of implementing and reporting on the DES has incurred consideration of the equalities and diversity agenda.
Strategic Risk Management Issues
6.4 The only significant risk is that of non-implementation of those parts of the action plan that have missed their original deadline. It will be necessary to ensure that the actions are included in the departmental Service Plans where relevant, and suitably resourced. This will be done by the Community Cohesion and Engagement Working Group.
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Other Officers
6.5 Not applicable.
7 CONSULTATION
7.1 Not applicable.
Background Papers
Appendix A – Disability Equality Scheme Annual Report, Spring 2008
Contact for further information
Alison Sanders, Director of Corporate Services: (01344) 355621 [email protected]
Caroline Little, National Management Trainee: (01344) 352325 [email protected]
Doc. Ref
Y:\POLICY\ALLUSE\Performance_and_Improvement\Community Cohesion\Disability\DES 2007\DES Annual Review 08\ Appendix A – DES Annual Report – Executive 24.06.08
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104 APPENDIX A
Disability Equality Scheme December 2006 – November 2009
Annual Progress Report Spring 2008
If you would like a copy of this report in large print, in Braille, in another format or in a language other than English please contact Caroline Little, Corporate Services, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Easthampstead House, Town Square, Bracknell RG12 1AQ
105 Contents
1. Introduction 3 1.1 What is the Disability Equality Scheme? 3 1.2 Why is Disability Equality important to 4 the Council?
2. The Disability Equality Scheme – An 5 Executive Summary
2.1 The Council’s Vision 5 2.1 Aims 5 2.3 Goals 7 2.4 Actions 7 2.5 Measurement of Progress 7 3. Our Successes 8
4. Progress against Action Plan 12
5. Conclusions and Challenges for Future 38
106 2 1. Introduction
This document details the progress made to date by Bracknell Forest Borough Council in promoting disability equality within the Borough in accordance with the Council’s three year Disability Equality Scheme, 2006 – 2009.
The Council has made considerable progress in implementing the scheme and this is evident in the progress report against each action and the stories of success, which show that the Council is making a real difference to the lives of disabled people.
In light of this progress, the Council is well placed to build on its achievements and to move the disability equality agenda further forward during the next two years of the scheme.
1.1 What is the Disability Equality Scheme?
The duty to promote disability equality The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 was a landmark in equality legislation, making it unlawful to discriminate against someone because of his or her disability. It also required organisations to make 'reasonable adjustments' so that a disabled person could take a job, continue to work for an organisation or access services.
The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 amended the 1995 legislation. It introduced the duty to promote disability equality, which partly parallels the duty to promote race equality introduced under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The duty to promote disability equality contains two elements – a general duty for all public bodies and a specific duty, which applies to a more limited number of specified public authorities, including Bracknell Forest Borough Council.
The Code of Practice produced by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) states that the “overarching goal of the duty is to promote equality of opportunity”. In many cases the disadvantage and discrimination that disabled people experience arise from attitudinal and environmental barriers. The duty to promote disability equality aims to overcome these barriers.
The general duty The general duty to promote disability equality places a duty on all public authorities, when carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to: x Promote equality of opportunity between disabled persons and other persons x Eliminate discrimination that is unlawful under the Disability Discrimination Act x Eliminate harassment of disabled persons that is related to their disabilities x Promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons x Encourage participation by disabled persons in public life x Take steps to take account of disabled persons' disabilities, even where that involves treating disabled persons more favourably than other persons.
The Specific Duty
107 3 The specific duty requires a designated public authority to produce and publish a Disability Equality Scheme (DES), setting out how it will fulfil its general and specific duties to promote disability equality. Disabled people must be involved in the development of the Scheme.
The first Disability Equality Schemes was published in December 2006 and lasts for three years with an annual review of progress.
The Code of Practice suggests that a Disability Equality Scheme should include: x The authority's broad values and objectives and a statement of its current position on disability equality x How disabled people have been involved in developing the scheme and how they will be involved in its implementation x How the authority will assess the impact of its current and future policies and practices on disabled people x The action plan showing how it will fulfill its general duty to promote disability equality including priorities, major projects and milestones x What information the authority has about the employment/service needs of disabled people, what additional information it plans to gather and how x How the authority will use the information it gathers x How the authority will develop its next three-year scheme x How the authority will publish the scheme.
We used this guidance as the basis of our Disability Equality Scheme.
1.2 Why is Disability Equality important to the Council?
Valuing diversity is central to achieving Bracknell Forest Borough Council's overall aim to provide an efficient and effective service to everyone who lives in, works in or visits Bracknell Forest. The Council views equality as vital to promoting a strong and integrated community. All of our equality schemes, including the Disability Equality Scheme, therefore form part of the overarching Community Cohesion Strategy: 'All of Us'.
In developing the Disability Equality Scheme, we have been able to identify and record the progress we have made towards achieving disability equality and tackling discrimination and come to a better understanding of the challenges still to be tackled. The Council is committed to ensuring that this Disability Equality Scheme is effectively implemented and scrutinised so that we meet the obligations placed upon us by the Disability Discrimination Act. The scheme was developed with the intent to use it to make real and tangible changes to how the Council conducts its business that will make a positive difference to the lives of disabled people.
Promoting disability equality in Bracknell Forest will be a continuous process. It will continue to be undertaken in partnership with the wider community and of course with disabled people themselves.
108 4 2. The DES – an Executive Summary
2.1 The Council's Vision The vision of Bracknell Forest Borough Council, is to:
“Make Bracknell Forest a place where all people can thrive; living, learning and working in a clean, safe and healthy environment.”
It is our aim to realise this vision for all the 110,000 people that live in our community and the others that work in or visit Bracknell Forest.
The Bracknell Forest Partnership, which comprises the Council and representatives from other local major private, public and voluntary sector organisations, has also adopted the following vision:
"In 2015 the community of Bracknell Forest will be self-confident, socially cohesive, economically buoyant and renowned for its 'can do' attitude. Living and working in Bracknell Forest will mean having an excellent quality of life. Local people will be safe and healthy. They will have a home that meets their needs and be able to travel easily around the borough, particularly by public transport. The distinctive, quality environment of Bracknell Forest will be enhanced and the community and learning will be valued throughout peoples' lives"
Bracknell Forest Borough Council welcomes the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 with the legal obligation for public authorities to promote disability equality.
The Council has adopted the social model of disability as a fundamental principle. It recognises that people are not disadvantaged by their impairments but by the way in which they are discriminated against.
2.2 Aims
Discrimination Disabled People Face Disabled people are discriminated against in a number of different ways. These include:
x Discriminatory attitudes x A lack of accessible information x Inaccessible environments x Employment and services that have not been designed to take account of the needs of disabled people.
A key aim of the Disability Equality Scheme is therefore to ensure that disabled services users and employees do not face discrimination in any of the above capacities.
Promoting Disability Equality
Promoting equality of opportunity for disabled people and other people is key to ensuring the success of the Disability Equality Scheme. It is also an essential element of the
109 5 Council’s Community Cohesion Strategy ‘All of Us’, which has the aim to ensure that Bracknell Forest is a place where:
x There is a shared vision and a sense of belonging for all communities x The diversity of people's backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued x Those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities x Strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods.
The actions outlined in the Disability Equality Scheme therefore aim to both eliminate negative discrimination towards disabled people and promote equal opportunities for disabled people.
Who do we mean by "disabled people"? The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 definition of a disabled person is someone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Disabled people include people with physical and sensory impairments, people with learning difficulties, people experiencing mental and emotional distress.
People with HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS) are also covered by this definition of a disabled person from the point of diagnosis, rather than from the point when the condition has some adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
The number of people in the Borough who declared themselves as having a limiting long-term illness in the 2001 census was:
12,864 or 12% of the total Borough population. 6,152 or 9% of the Borough population that are of working age
We have recently completed a study that has looked in more detail at the needs of disabled people in Bracknell Forest. ('Older Persons' Needs Analysis' report, 2006). This was based on national, regional and local data. The study highlighted the strong link between physical disability and age. The older someone is, the more likely they are to have a disability and the greater the impact this will have on a person's ability to carry out everyday functions. Seven in ten adults who have a disability are aged 65 or over.
National data indicates that each year, one in four people will experience some form of mental health problem. In the majority of cases this will be relatively minor but for some it will be more long -lasting and serious. Women tend to be more affected by moderate or severe mental health problems than men. About 2% of the population has a learning disability.
We are aware that these figures are likely to be an under-estimate. Many people who fulfill the legal definition of a disabled person do not declare themselves as disabled. This is for a number of reasons. Some disabled people do not wish to draw attention to
110 6 their disability because they think this might be to their detriment. Some disabled people do not think it is anyone else's business but their own.
2.3 Goals
The goals of the Disability Equality Scheme were developed through extensive consultation with disabled service users and employees of the Council. The broad goals of the scheme are to:
1. Adopt the Social Model of Disability
2. Improve the information it has about disabled people and their needs and use this to plan and implement services
3. Improve the ways in which disabled people are involved on its main partnerships and advisory bodies
4. Improve the ways in which disabled people are involved in the designing, planning and running of its services
5. Improve the information it provides about its services in formats that are accessible for disabled people
6. Influence the improvement of the provision of accessible public transport to enable disabled people to use its services
7. Improve internal liaison between departments to provide a consistent, 'joined- up' approach to its services
8. Improve its support for organisations run by and that work with disabled people
9. Improve recruitment and training opportunities for disabled job applicants and employees
10. Identify ways in which the costs of using services can be reduced to increase the participation of disabled people
2.4 Actions
We turned these ten goals into action through the delivery of a three year Action Plan.
2.5 Measurement of Progress
We have measured the success of this scheme in two ways: • Firstly, the extent to which we achieved the key tasks and outcomes in the three-year Action Plan. • Secondly, by celebrating some of the tangible improvements that have been made in the community (see Our Successes).
111 7 Competitors came from across the 3. Our Successes Borough including representatives from Cranstock, Priors Day Services, Special Sports Fun Day Reading Education and Training Centre, Oakbridge, Southern Archway, The Special Sports Fun Day of people Ravenswood, Bracknell Day Services, with disabilities was organise and held Brunel, WROC, Ellerman Resource at Bracknell Leisure Centre in June this Centre, Leisure Plus and West year for the 13th time! The event was Berkshire Mencap. officially opened by the Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, Cllr Gill Birch. The day was a great success, attracting over 300 participants. Contestants took part in a variety of events, including wheelchair races, bean bag throwing, tennis ball throwing, long jump, shot putt, high jump, javelin, 100m, 200m and relay and each category winner was awarded a trophy.
Modernising Day Services In Bracknell Forest we have taken a strong line on our approach to modernising day services. As has now been identified in Valuing People Now, this should not be a move from large buildings to smaller buildings, whilst little Categories included: of substance changes in the lives of x Assisted wheelchair user individuals. As identified in our framework x Electric wheelchair user developed in 2003, we are seeking to x Self propelled wheelchair ensure that people with learning disabilities have the same range of x Poor walker without aid opportunities as anybody else. Below x Good walker (not runner) without are just two areas in which we have aid developed new and successful approaches to enabling ordinary x People who can just manage to lifestyles. run Employment x People who can run fairly easily We have an agreement with A4e, a x Best athletes mainstream employment agency, to
112 8 work in partnership to enable skills posed a problem for people who wished development, and access to to use the area but are confined to a employment. wheel chair or those who have difficulty We are working with Leisure and Environment Services, and Housing to climbing stairs. The area was create a social firm, with a range of inaccessible. contracts to create sustainability. When the chance came to refurbish the Learning disability services now employ Beach bar we decided that it would be 5 people with learning disabilities. an opportunity to improve the Leisure and Environment department are seeking to create tailored accessibility of this area in general. employment opportunities suitable for After careful consideration of the tender people with learning disabilities. documents received to build the lift, Phoenix Lifting Systems were chosen to Sports and Leisure provide and install the suitable model. Four members of staff from the Learning It is a simple design to make it easy to Disability service are now based within the Leisure service, 7 days a week, operate with few elements that can go offering:- wrong during its operation. * Additional support to participate in all There were a few difficulties in fitting the the activities on offer, as and when lift due to the existing design of the area required. however with a little tweak of the mass * Training to Leisure Centre staff to concrete floor the space became large enable them to respond to the needs of people with learning disabilities. enough to accommodate the new lift. * We have negotiated a simpler Since its completion the lift has charging structure for membership of proved to be a valuable tool in the Leisure Centre, and activities within assisting people to the Beach Bar for a range of Bracknell Forest sites, which hot food and drinks. can be pre-purchased using the e+ card. People can either pay for this themselves, or have the money as a direct payment straight “onto” the card, thus making access simpler for people who have difficulties managing cash. We are working with the centralised transport unit to use our vehicles and transport staff differently to offer a “dial- a-ride” type of service to enable access to the increasing range of opportunities on offer.
New Disabled Equipment Coral Reef Leisure Centre: As part of our drive to improve access to New Disabled Lift for Middle Coral Reef for all, we have, in Terrace partnership with Bracknell Forest Borough Council Learning Disability The Beach Bar and middle terrace Services team, purchased some much areas of the pool area have always needed equipment to help in this area.
113 9 The Well Being team based at Bracknell equipment to make using his computer Leisure Centre now have dedicated easier. He uses a large keyboard, which has more visible letters on the keys and equipment to help provide a much magnification software to enlarge text on higher level of service to our customers. the screen. Simon also has a large We now have a fully automatic bed so monitor so that he is not limited to what that customers can be helped to he can view by the magnified text. change. Whilst Simon admits that he doesn’t There is an Oxford Voyager Hoist to always need to use the screen- magnification software he says that he assist with lifting. We also have a chair/ has found the Council to be very commode to assist with moving people supportive and he welcomed the choice from one area to another. of equipment.
Mike Jones Mike was involved in a high speed car accident in 2005 from which he suffered a number of different injuries, resulting in permanent disability. He is now unable to walk without a walking stick and has problems using his right arm and hand over long periods of time. Following a lengthy recovery, Mike returned to work at the Council. He underwent an initial assessment of his needs and a number of areas were identified where adjustments could be made make the use of his computer more comfortable. However, a few Supporting Staff months later Mike was still receiving treatment on his leg and finding walking Supporting employees to do their jobs to increasingly difficult. The Council the best of their abilities has always therefore hired an electric wheelchair for been a priority for the Council. Enabling Mike to use at work to get around the disabled staff requires an individual office. approach to specific requirements and circumstances. Here are just a few A year after the accident, Mike had an examples of how the Council has operation on his leg which involved supported disabled employees to do another 6 months of recovery. On their jobs. returning to work he was advised to contact the Job Centre to complete an Simon Sellick Access to Work assessment. At this Simon was born with cataracts on both stage Mike’s injury had been confirmed eyes, which has meant that he has as permanent and the assessment always had limited sight. After a cataract found that he would benefit from a more operation on his right eye in 2006, specialised chair. The Council provided Simon's sight has dramatically Mike with the chair and also a light- improved. However. Simon’s job weight laptop, meaning that he was requires him to work at a computer for a more comfortable at work. Mike also lot of his time. The Council therefore now sees the Council doctor on a provided Simon with some additional
114 10 regular basis in order to identify any new Pat with equipment, including a hands- needs. free phone kit, to enable him to work more comfortably. Pat Keane Whilst Pat found the equipment to be helpful, he was most impressed with the support he received during his transition back to work. As Chief Information Officer, Pat plays a key role in the management of technology support for the authority. In his absence, it was therefore necessary for the Council to employ a temporary member of staff to Pat suffered from a stroke which meant cover Pat’s role. However, this meant that he needed a substantial amount of that there was no pressure for Pat to time for recovery. By the time he return to work and once he did return to returned to work Pat had made good the Council he did so on a gradual progress but still had partial paralysis basis. The adjustments that were made down one side of his body causing him to accommodate Pat’s disability have to limp and limiting movement of his arm meant that he is now able to continue in and hand. The Council conducted a his role as he did previously. work-space assessment and provided
115 11 4. Progress against Action Plan
The Council has made considerable progress in implementing the Disability Equality Scheme and this is evident in the performance monitoring of the action plan. 9 72 of the Key Tasks in the action plan are either completed or on track to be completed within their respective timescales, with the majority ahead of schedule. 9 Only 3 of the Key Tasks in the action plan have fallen behind schedule and they are as follows. 1.5 Ensure all Members receive diversity training and this is also covered in the new Code of Conduct - The New Members’ induction programme (May 2007) included a session on cultural and diversity awareness. All other Members will have attended a training session by 31st December 2008. The new Code of Conduct contains a section dealing with equalities and diversity issues. 4.7 Library Consultative Forums to be introduced. Membership to include disabled people - Still in progress. Staffing constraints prevented proper consultation on membership and terms of reference for the groups to be fully inclusive. The Library and Information Service will commission some external support to achieve this objective by Dec 2008. 116 6.5 Under the new Bus Shelter contract, ensure that each new bus shelter installed will have a covered, perch type bench seat - Introduction of new contract has had to be abandoned for the time being as it has become commercially unviable. The contract will be re-tendered in a later stage of the Bracknell Town Centre regeneration process. Meantime, new shelters being introduced in the areas covered by the existing contract will include a covered, perch type bench seat.
12 ANNUAL MONITORING 2007/2008
DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME – Bracknell Forest Borough Council – December/January 2006/2007
G – Green, indicates that the action is either completed or on track to be completed within its respective timescale R – Red, indicates that the action has fallen behind schedule
Detailed Action Plan 2006/09 The key recommendations in the Detailed Action Plan are that the Council should:
Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones 1. Adopt the Social Model of Disability 1.1 Social model of Executive 12 Dec Formal approval of G Complete. 117 disability to be formally 2006 DES and Action Plan adopted by the and Council through 13 Mar approval of the 2007 Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan 1.2 Implement the SS&H April Annual Resource allocation G Learning from the initial model of self directed Head of Adults & 2007 monitoring of system in place and pilot group has informed support for people with Commissioning this Plan people are able to plan further developments, and a learning disability Social Care & their own support the Steering Group will be Learning - Adults Social Care asked to approve "roll out" for all people with LD. Further work for all care groups will be planned for the next three years following Government Directive LAC 2008 (1).
13 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones 1.3 Work with SS&H Ongoing Annual Attend national and G The milestones have been disabled individuals to Head of Adults & monitoring of regional meetings achieved but progress plan support that is Commissioning this Plan looking at outcomes nationally is slow. Work focussed on personal Social Care & Nominate BFBC to be has been undertaken in Learning - Adults outcomes Social Care/ a pilot for the outcomes some staff groups (link to Head of Older study 1.2) to look specifically at People & long outcomes for individuals Term Conditions as opposed to services. Report to LDPB on progress during the year was presented using 7 outcomes of White paper. 1. BFBC accepted as participant in pilot
118 study/research project on working with service users with learning disabilities to improve outcomes for them. 2. Series of workshops run on the Mental Capacity Act for employees and PIV sector. x Attendance of employees on external workshops aimed at improving the support provided to disabled individuals. x Establishment of a pilot
14 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones buddying scheme in which service users work closely with an employee to enable better understanding of their needs, the impact of interventions on them and the personal outcomes which best suit their needs. x For PD we are keeping PD clients informed of In Control and raising 119 awareness of the benefits including Direct Payments. We work in Partnership with Bracknell and Wokingham College in supporting and providing courses which will provide a stepping stone to attending college in the future. 1.4 Provide advice, Learning & During Via Completion of G Complete. information or training Development 2007/8 appraisals equalities training to staff in relationship Manager leading to improved to the Social Model of understanding of the Disability social rather than medical model of disability
15 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones 1.5 Ensure all Learning & During Through Completion of induction R The New Members’ Members receive Development 2007/08 Member programme induction programme diversity training and Manager/ induction (May 2007) included a this is also covered in Borough programme session on cultural and the new Code of Solicitor diversity awareness. All Conduct other Members will have attended a training session by 31st December 2008. The new Code of Conduct contains a section dealing with equalities and diversity issues. 2. Improve the information it has about disabled people and their needs and use this to plan and implement services
120 2.1 Carry out a SS&H July Annual Results of survey Survey complete and satisfaction survey of Head of Older 2007 monitoring report and available to outcomes collated. homecare for people People & long of this Plan use to develop the with physical Term Conditions commissioning strategy disabilities 2.2 Undertake a SS&H October Annual Commissioning G The needs analysis has needs analysis as part Head Of 2007 monitoring strategy agreed by been completed and was of the Commissioning Commisioning of this Plan Executive. Needs used to inform the Long Strategy for people Social Care & analysis completed. Term Conditions Learning - Adults with physical Social Care Commissioning Strategy. disabilities and The information will also sensory impairments be used for the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. 2.3 Monitor Director of March Community 3 yearly profile of G Underway. information on the use Corporate 2009 Cohesion & disabled service users of services by disabled Services/ Engagement produced and reported
16 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones users through Equalities Sub Working Group to Executive. Existing departmental surveys Group service surveys to be and reporting from modified to take existing databases to account of disabled provide an 3 yearly users. profile of disabled users across a range of key service 2.4 Routinely All leisure Ongoing Annual No. of disabled users G Ongoing. collect demographics /library monitoring of leisure service. information from staff of this Plan No. of blind and Leisure and Library Leisure partially sighted users users Development of library service 121 Manager No. of users of Home Library Service (criteria available; most are infirm) 2.5 Seek to link Head of March Annual One database which G In progress. existing databases of Customer 2009 monitoring provides information on disabled users to the Services/Chief of this Plan disabled residents CRM system Information Officer 2.6 Use the CRM Head of March Annual G In progress. system to log service Customer 2009 monitoring requests from disabled Services of this Plan service users /Chief Information Officer 2.7 Encourage Human March Annual staff Increase in % of staff G Done. Increase reported. more staff to report Resources 2008 monitoring with disabilities Currently 1.5% their disability Manager report
17 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones
2.8 Ensure that Human March Annual staff Profile included in G Complete. Currently 1.5% disabled staff are Resources 2008 monitoring report accurately profiled in Manager report the annual staff monitoring report 2.9 Work with Learning & Ongoing Joint planning Improved G x Provision of 2 x sign other departments, the Development meetings/ communication and language level 1 voluntary sector and Manager exchanges exchange of qualification disabled people to information pertinent to programmes per keep up to date with making contact with annum to enable best practice and disabled people and employees to provide current issues recognise either greater assistance to specialist or improved members of the public
122 access to general and employees provision requiring support. x Provision of workshops for employees on working with colleagues or service users with visual or auditory impairment. x Working with Skills to Care in Berkshire to exchange information on the needs of disabled people. x Providing workshops on working with disabled and
18 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones vulnerable adults for the PIV sector.
3. Improve the ways in which disabled people are involved on its main partnerships and advisory bodies 3.1 Seek disabled Asst Ch Execs June Annual Disabled G The Board discussed how representatives for – Senior 2007 Partnership representative on each best to ensure that the appropriate themed Strategy & report themed partnership interests of disabled partnerships Partnerships people were taken into Officer account by the Board. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Council’s Access Advisory Panel should be the 123 vehicle for liaison with disabled people. Members of the Panel should be invited to Partnership events and, when appropriate, its chairman, Councillor Thompson, could be invited to the Board or meetings of the theme partnerships. 3.2 Review Parks & July Monthly key Increase in the number G The Local Countryside involvement of Countryside 2007 indicators for of groups consulted Access Forum is actively disabled people within Manager Culture and recruiting new members. existing consultative Visual A particular emphasis is forums for Parks and Environment being placed on Countryside representing disabled users and recruitment is ongoing.
19 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones
A business plan has been produced following extensive consultation re. South Hill Park refurbishment. An application has been submitted to HLF, with a decision due in April 2008. Community related proposals include targeting under represented users and establishing a formal
124 Friends group.
3.3 Engage ECS&L March Annual Representatives G Underway. representatives of Assistant 2008 monitoring engaged. young people with Youth Services of this Plan disabilities in the Manager Engaging Children and Young People’s group. 3.4 Review terms ECSL March Annual Parents, carers of G Terms of reference of reference of the Head Of Service: 2008 monitoring disabled children reviewed. Group reports Dialogue Group to Learning of this plan engage in the to revised SEN and establish it as a forum Difficulties and partnership Disabled Children Disability that reports into the Development Group, CYPSP which reports to CYPSP. 4. Improve the ways in which disabled people are involved in designing, planning and running of its services 4.1 Consult Access Director of Ongoing Annual All key service changes G Ongoing.
20 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones Advisory Panel and Corporate monitoring will be included on Access Advisory Panel disabled members of Services of this Plan agendas consulted on programme BF 1500 on key /all of access works in service changes November 2007. 4.2 Develop SS&H April Annual Commissioning G 6 Experts by experience commissioning Head Of 2008 monitoring strategies for all client have been recruited in strategies for all client Commissioning of this Plan groups agreed by the order to develop groups that are based Social Care & Executive strategies. The Learning - Adults on needs analysis Social Care Commissioning Strategy for Older People has been completed. The Commissioning Strategies for Mental Health and 125 Learning Disabilities will be presented to the Executive on 12th February 2008. The Commissioning Strategy for Long Term Conditions will be presented to the Executive in March 2008. 4.3 Re-survey all Head of March Best Value Improve accessibility to G 35.7% of survey work public facilities Corporate 2008 Indicator 36% of buildings for complete for 2006/07. A provided by BFBC to Property Reports 2006/07. new programme has now update Access been developed to Programme of Works progress this work. 4.4 Consult Access Head of Ongoing Annual Annual report to G Completed November Advisory Panel on the Corporate monitoring Access Advisory Panel 2007. access to buildings Property of this Plan improvement /all programme.
21 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones 4.5 Targeted Leisure & Ongoing Service All strategies include G The Leisure facilities liaison with groups Cultural reviews, input from disabled monthly reports highlight and individuals Services Leisure people and groups and the targeted liaison with representing disabled Managers customer disabled people and specific groups. The people in strategy Leisure comment groups ecognize Leisure and Well Being development and Development forms, services meet their team also liaises with service delivery in Manager Leisure needs groups outside centres. cultural services opinion Set up a focus group for meter learning disabled adults for the Arts Survey in October. 4.6 Targeted Head of Ongoing Service All strategies include G Disabled people have liaison with groups Planning Policy reviews, input from disabled been included in the and individuals & Head of consultee lists people and groups and consultation for the
126 representing disabled Planning & in strategies disabled people and Cultural Strategy. people in strategy Building control groups ecognize Access Advisory Panel is development and services meet their on our LDF standard service delivery in needs consultee database and planning policy and officers continue to offer development and to speak to the Panel on building control. all LDF matters.
4.7 Library Library Dec Feedback to Robust and equitable R Not completed. Still in Consultative Forums Community 2007 be included terms of reference. progress. Staffing to be introduced. Services in QOR First meeting held. constraints prevented Membership to include Manager submissions proper consultation on disabled people membership and terms of reference for the groups to be fully inclusive. The Library and Information Service will commission
22 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones some external support to achieve this objective by Dec 2008. 4.8 Leisure and All users Ongoing Annual All comments relating G Ongoing. All letters and Library Customer Leisure monitoring of to disabled issues are comment forms are Comment Forms Development this Plan responded to logged and responded to available for Manager within 5 working days. submission Issues are resolved as soon as it is practical. Information, including specific data on disability, is gathered via the Opinionmeter. 127 4.9 “Be Leisure Duty Ongoing Annual All comments relating G The Leisure and well Constructive” Managers monitoring to disabled access Being team provides a questionnaires of this Plan improvements are duly questionnaire to a range considered of customers to ascertain information about which activities they are interested in, what is the best time of day for them and what their preferred travel option is. Results are analysed in conjunction with facility managers and new activities introduced where possible. 4.10 Include Facility Ongoing Annual Feedback form Mystery G Ongoing. Disability Disability Element in managers/ monitoring Visits element added to the Mystery Shopper visits Library of this Plan 2007 Mystery Shopper
23 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones to Leisure and Library supervisors Survey at 7 Leisure facilities Leisure Section facilities. Development Manager 4.11 Initiate a Parks & March Six monthly x New Parks & G A draft guidance programme of site Countryside 2008 inspections Countryside document has been access audits in Parks Manager and Strategy drafted produced to enhance and Countryside Management x Site improvements visitor welcome at all Plan Work programmed / sites. This includes Programme implemented measures to ensure sites are more easily accessible. Alongside this, a review of interpretation is underway to ensure more effective 128 information provision and distribution. Both form part of a new strategy. Site works include path surface improvements and enhanced entrances (addressing physical barriers) 4.12 BFBC Civic Director of March Access Plans to specifically G Access consultants report Hub will include Corporate 2009 Consultant provide facilities for completed. enhanced facilities for Services/ will retain disabled people (staff disabled visitors Head of overview of and customers). Libraries & arrangements Information in respect of all people 4.13 Consult youth Assistant March Annual Reviewed and applied, G Ongoing. Groups are disabled users in the Youth Service 2008 monitoring feedback offered in a included in survey and
24 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones annual satisfaction Manager of this Plan suitable manner. receive appropriate survey, notably the feedback. Kennel Lane School Group and The Hang Out young people’s project. Ensure results are fully considered and appropriate feedback offered. 4.14 All services Assistant Ongoing Annual Young people engaged G Ongoing – this is designed specifically Youth Service monitoring in the planning and established practice. for disabled young Manager of this Plan evaluation of these, Note: no longer 129 people (Kennel Lane and any other contracting Disability school group; The emerging targeted Challengers. Hang Out; Disability services. Challengers; Transitions Group) ensure user group are consulted on programme plans and evaluations. 5. Improve the information it provides about its services in formats that are accessible for disabled people 5.1 Review SS&H August Annual All material reviewed. G Looking to make more appropriateness and Chief Officer - 2007 monitoring publications and availability of Adult Social Care of this Plan information easier to information developed Social Care & access by groups as each Learning - Adults by Social Services and Social Care one needs amending. Housing Department Reviewed so far: x Safeguarding Adults / Adult Protection
25 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones x Easy read version of our CSCI Annual Report was produced in easy read format 5.2 Further All August Annual Information pack G Complete. develop the departments 2007 monitoring developed with input information guide for of this Plan from older people Older People 5.3 Work with local SS&H Head of Septem Annual Guide developed and G This is work being disabled people to Older People & ber monitoring published on the undertaken by people with develop an informal long Term 2007 of this Plan internet a disability who are guide to facilities in Conditions / members of the PD/SN Bracknell Members of Strategy group and is on Older People and Sensory Needs going in terms of 130 Strategy group updating. 5.4 Provide Web March Annual Information is G Complete. A new web dedicated information services 2008 monitoring published on the web. page has now been on the web about the manager/ of this Plan Designated role established. services the Council Head of needed to ensure offers to disabled Comms & Mktg information is updated people
5.5 Ensure Head of June Print & design The new design G In progress. The new requirements Comms & Mktg 2007 team standards ensure design standards are due of the DDA are information provided by to be launched in summer met in the new Communi- the Council is 2008. corporate cations accessible by all design Management residents. standards Group currently under development
26 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones
5.6 Raise Head of Ongoing Print & design Policies and standards G Ongoing. awareness with staff Comms & Mktg team to are consistently about the policies and / Community ensure adhered to. standards in place Cohesion & accessibility regarding information Engagement statement on for disabled people Working Group all printed materials
5.7 Use Town and Head of Ongoing Annual Disabled item on each G Ongoing. Country to raise Comms & Mktg monitoring issue of Town & awareness of projects of this Plan Country. and services for 131 disabled people 5.8 Improve All Leisure Project Feedback from Improved G A brochure explaining access to information & Cultural by participants communication with activities and facilities for about cultural activities Services project Service disabled people and disabled customers at by making it available Managers reviews, their families/carers leisure section facilities in different formats Leisure Leisure was published during Development customer Documents produced 2007. All brochures are Manager comment in different formats available in alternative forms, Leisure formats (i.e large print, opinion This requirement will braille) on request. meter be built into the costs of each project. 5.9 Improve Head of Ongoing Feedback Improved G All LDF documents can be accessibility of Planning & from communications with provided in alternative information about Transport customers disabled people and formats if requested. planning and building policy; Head of and their families / carers control and planning Planning complaints policy by supplying in & Building Documents produced
27 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones different formats Control in different formats
5.10 Celebrate Head of Decemb Annual BFBC publications and G A news release International Disability Comms & Mktg er 2007 monitoring events to recognise publicising the day was Day 2007 of this Plan this day. issued in December 2007.
5.11 Investigate Waste and Ongoing Complaints Fewer complaints that G Calendar leaflet that goes ways of improving Recycling about lack of people can’t get to all households has publicity of assisted Manager assistance rubbish to their gate information about collection scheme Assisted collections Web site has been updated to include more information about assisted collections.
132 A-Z booklet of waste will be delivered in March 08 with more information about assisted collections
5.12 Library Head of Libraries Ongoing Feedback Improved G Information available on information is & Information from communication with request. available in alternative participants disabled people and formats and staff their families/carers 5.13 Disability Head of Libraries Ongoing Through Knowledge of all staff G Ongoing – part of the awareness training for & Information Performance maintained appraisal process. all Library staff Review processes 5.14 Ensure the Assistant March Annual Service able to G This is established, based Youth Service is able Youth Service 2008 monitoring promptly translate on the processes in place to respond to requests Manager of this Plan materials into suitable for making other Council for it’s publicity and format upon request. documents available in
28 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones other information to be alternative formats. made available in alternative formats. 5.15 Sound system SS&H March Annual Hearing loops fitted in G We have had all the fitted in all council Interim Head of 2008 monitoring all lounges. However, necessary work sheltered scheme Housing of this Plan system needs to be completed and all the lounges to enable all enhanced through the schemes as tenants to participate installation of a PA recommended by the in meetings system to work with the RNID, some schemes loop system. have the PA system but other schemes it was recommended that what we had was adequate, it 133 depended on the size and shape of the rooms. 6. Influence the improvement of the provision of accessible public transport to enable disabled people to use its services 6.1 Continuing to Licensing Ongoing Quarterly stats All new and G Currently of the 86 ensure all new and Manager from M3 replacement hackney hackney carriage replacement hackney JE computer carriages are vehicles, 60 are fully carriages are system wheelchair accessible wheelchair accessible and wheelchair accessible 19 are swivel seat vehicles. The remaining 7 are normal saloon style vehicles. 6.2 Introduce test Licensing Ongoing Stats from All new dual drivers to G A practical test for all new hackney Manager M3 computer take and pass the DSA administered by the Driving carriage applicants are system practical test Standards Agency is in capable of safely (wheelchair test place to ensure that all new placing wheelchair assessment) applicants for dual driver users in their vehicles licences (hackney carriage and private hire) are
29 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones capable of securing wheelchair users safely in the vehicle. To date, 10 dual drivers have become licensed since the test was introduced in April 2007. 6.3 Negotiate the Transport Ongoing Percentage All new buses G All new buses being introduction of lower Development of bus fleet introduced to fleet to introduced are low floor floor buses to aid Manager with lower have lower floor vehicles. access with First floors 6.4 Install raised Transport Ongoing Number of Percentage of bus G At Feb 08 – 60% kerbs at bus stops to Development bus stops stops with raised kerbs Continuing programme – provide level access to Manager with raised ongoing. lower floor buses kerbs
134 6.5 Under the new Transport Ongoing Inspection All new shelters have a R Introduction of new Bus Shelter contract, Development of new seat contract has had to be ensure that each new Manager shelters abandoned for the time bus shelter installed being as it has become will have a covered, commercially unviable. perch type bench seat The contract will be re- tendered in a later stage of the Bracknell Town Centre regeneration process. Meantime, new shelters being introduced in the areas covered by the existing contract will include a covered, perch type bench seat. 6.6 Install raised Transport 31 Inspection Completion of trial site G Work now completed. kerbs at town centre Development March of taxi ranks Manager
30 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones taxi ranks to aid 2007 access to lower floor taxis 6.7 Work in Transport Ongoing Monitor Improvements to G Installation of new partnership with South Development Improvements interchange overbridge and lifts under West Trains and Manager way. Funding bid to DfT Network Rail to ensure for general accessibility that disability improvements has been requirements are successful. included in the Transport Interchange Improvements planned for Bracknell 135 Station. 6.8 Continue to Transport Ongoing Making a bi-annual G Changes from last Order process requests for Development Order. now being installed. Next residential disabled Manager Order in preparation. parking and enforce bays provided under traffic / parking Orders 7. Improve internal liaison between departments to provide a consistent, ‘joined up’ approach to its services 7.1 Use the All Ongoing Annual Regular agenda item G Regular agenda item now Community Cohesion monitoring on equalities included, reporting from and Engagement of this Plan the Equalities Sub Group. Working Group to Projects for disabled share service people to be included information regarding under this item. projects for disabled people 7.2 Continue to build LD Team - ongoing How many Greater understanding G Continuing to work with on working Head Of effective joint of joint expertise and Marc Box Arts and Commissioning
31 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones relationships with Social Care & initiatives partnership working on Disability Development colleagues from other Learning - Adults provision to meet Officer now based at departments for Social Care shared goals. South Hill Park, meeting planning and regularly about arts and organising activities disability work, advising and collaborating on future projects. Working with day centres and residential homes for older people to ensure access to a recent dance and older persons project, which includes members of Heathlands attending a
136 dance event as part of our Lift Off Festival on 13th March. 7.3 Extend links Bracknell Ongoing Service More people with G The Leisure and Well between Bracknell Leisure Centre monitoring disabilities using Being team's work was Leisure Centre and Manager/ Bracknell Leisure recognised as an example Social Services SS&H Centre of good practice during Leisure the CPA process. Training Development and advice is available to Manager staff who work closely with disabled users. 7.4 Work jointly Senior Sept Monthly key x New Parks & G The first draft of the Parks with Children’s Parntership 2007 indicators for Countryside and Countryside (Green Services and Social Development Culture and Strategy drafted Spaces Strategy) will be Worker Services on initiatives Ed & Libs - Visual x Play Strategy going to consultation in – particularly in Children, Young Environment finalised Feb / March 2008. The developing a Play People & Placements made Play Strategy has been Families - Early
32 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones Strategy and Years/ Parks & available finalised (by Children's assessing Countryside Services) and a funding opportunities for work Manager bid was submitted to the placements Big Lottery Fund. 7.5 Work with E&L/ Ongoing Annual report More people with a G The secondment of a South Hill Park to SS&H from SHP disability accessing worker from the LD team improve the cultural Head of Adults & opportunities at South is proving successful, and offering for people with Commissioning Hill Park a number of a disability Social Care & developments including a Learning - Adults Social Care town centre gallery and workshop are underway. 7.8 Ensure Assistant Ongoing Annual Social Services refer G Ongoing. Advice and
137 colleagues in social Youth Service monitoring young people to information exchange to services are aware of Manager of this Plan suitable projects. improve access and provision offered by opportunities the Youth Service Disability Action Plan for suitable for young South Hill Park being people with revised with help of disabilities. Community Arts and Disability Worker. 8. Improve its support for organisations run by and that work with disabled people 8.1 Ensure that Asst Ch Ongoing Annual Annual grant allocation G The grants process funds organisations that Exec – Senior monitoring recognises such Bracknell Forest Voluntary work with and are run Policy Officer of this Plan groups Action who are the by Disabled people umbrella organisation for are recognised voluntary and community through the voluntary groups, and through them, grants process local organisations with/for disabled people are recognised. A grant is also allocated to Berkshire
33 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones Community Foundation who are themselves a grant making body, and we now refer small organisations to them, so again, such organisations are recognised. 8.2 Work in All Leisure Project Number of Representation of G Longer term dance and partnership with & Cultural by projects disabled/older people older persons project now organisations offering Services Staff project Quality of as leaders within the established at Birch Hill high quality and Community Arts basis project field leading workshops Community Centre relevant cultural Development and programmes for provision on a project Officer local disabled/older by project basis people. 138 Projects and activities suitable or disabled people. 8.3 Work with Waste and March Annual Numbers of people G This is still being Bracknell Day Centre Recycling 2008 monitoring employed with learning investigated – finding & Step Forward to Manager of this Plan disabilities. premises is the major identify new ways hurdle. people with learning disabilities can work with recycling 8.4 Youth Service Assistant Ongoing Annual Partners report G Youth Service continuing to continue to support Youth Service monitoring satisfaction with Youth to support and develop its and develop its Manager of this Plan Service input. partnership work in this partnership work in area. this area, notably with Note: no longer The Wayz youth club contracting Disability
34 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones and Disability Challengers. Challengers. 9. Improve recruitment and training opportunities for disabled job applicants and employees 9.1 All applicants Recruiting As Annual Disabled applicants G Met. ticking disability box Manager/ required monitoring matched to JD & PS who meet essential Human of this Plan and offered interviews requirements of JD / Resources PS are invited to Manager interview 9.2 Annual All managers Every Annual Disabled team G Met. appraisals for all ALL May monitoring members given BFBC disabled staff of this Plan appraisal on annual basis including 139 personal development plan 9.3 Disabled Human Ongoing Annual No of disabled student G We meet requests Students accepted on Resources monitoring placements offered wherever possible but Work experience Manager of this Plan there are/will be placements occasions when we can not meet their aspirations- usually for health and safety reasons. 9.4 Continue Human Ongoing Annual Annual Staff Monitoring G Ongoing annual monitoring Resources monitoring report report on recruitment Manager of this Plan and training of disabled staff 9.5 Ensure that all Human Ongoing Annual Included as element of G Ongoing recruitment training Resources monitoring training specifically recognises Manager of this Plan the context for
35 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones disabled people 9.6 Ensure that Human June Annual Advice available. G Ongoing appropriate advice is Resources 2007 monitoring available for managers Manager of this Plan on the adaptation required for disabled staff 10. Identify ways in which the costs of using services can be reduced to increase the participation of disabled people 10.1 All All depts. March Annual Annual review of G This is underway. departments to review ALL 2008 budget changes. In SCL they are currently charging policies in process consulting on a revised respect of disabled charging policy. users 10.2 Continue to All Leisure Ongoing Register of Number of return visits G A special tariff is in place
140 ensure that the cost of & Cultural principle participants on projects for disabled users with cultural activities Services and Leisure helpers admitted free of encourages and Managers Centre Disabled users charge. Disabled enables access Leisure membership requiring assistance membership was Development records from a helper are reviewed early in 2007 to Manager/ granted free access for improve access to Community Arts Development the helper facilities. The brochure Officer Number of disabled published in 2007 memberships at provides useful Leisure Centre information on activities and facilities as well as the special prices available to disabled customers. 10.3 Promotion of Head of Ongoing No. of free No. of free fees taken G Ongoing. To date 201 free scheme through which Libraries & fees offered. up fees have been offered, no charges are made Information all of which have been
36 Detailed Action/ By By Monitoring Success Criteria G/R Progress Task Whom When / Milestones for blind library users taken up. 10.4 Use of e+ card Smartcard March No of disabled Increase on number of G After April 08 the new where appropriate for Development 2009 users with disabled users of e+ single enrolment system cost reductions for Manager e+ card cards for e+ card includes an disabled users ability to collect information about disabled cardholders. Services will need to collect the appropriate information to record a person’s disability. The Concessionary Fare Passes for disabled 141 people will be easily identifiable as the card design is different. Once the information is captured services such as leisure and libraries can offer special deals . This may take some development.
37 5. Conclusions and Challenges for Future
To date the Council has made considerable progress in implementing the Disability Equality Scheme and this is evident in the performance analysis of the detailed action plan which shows that 96% of the actions have either been completed or are due to be completed on schedule. Importantly, this achievement has made a real impact on the lives of disabled people in Bracknell Forest as is shown in the stories, Our Successes.
Whilst the action plan offers a framework for promoting equal opportunities for disabled people it invariably does not cover everything that the Council does or could do to ensure equality for disabled people. As well as effective implementation of the DES Action Plan, the Council continues to promote equality through its daily activities and by taking opportunities as they arise. For example, the Council is currently reviewing the options for introducing a fairer charging policy for disabled people in the Borough. Challenges
The key challenge facing the Council is to ensure that those tasks that have missed their original deadline are now closely monitored to ensure that they are completed within their new time parameters. The Council must also ensure that the good progress that has been made with regard to promoting disability equality continues.
One of the key tasks in the action plan is to create a 3 year profile of key service use by disabled users. The Council must ensure that this work is undertaken thoroughly in order to provide an accurate picture of disabled users in Bracknell Forest. The profile must then be used to inform the next Disability Equality Scheme and service planning.
142 38 Agenda Item 10
TO: THE EXECUTIVE DATE: 24 JUNE 2008
REVENUE EXPENDITURE OUTTURN 2007/08 (Director of Corporate Services)
1 PURPOSE OF DECISION
1.1 The Council, at its meeting on 28 February 2007, approved a revenue budget for 2007/08 of £67.648m. By the time the 2008/09 budget proposals were being considered in February this year it was predicted that the Council would be within budget. This report updates Members on the outturn expenditure position, subject to audit, for the financial year 2007/08 highlighting that the Council is within budget for the tenth successive year and took £1.947m from General Balances as opposed to the budgeted £3.592m, an underspend of £1.645m. This is made up of £1.345m underspend variance reported by departments plus £0.300m transferred from Structural Changes reserve to be added to General Reserves. This means that the balances are better than those predicted in February.
1.2 The Accounts & Audit Regulations require that for 2007/08 the Annual Statement of Accounts must be approved by the Council or sub committee by 30 June. The Council has established a Final Accounts Sub Committee which will meet on 24 June to approve the Annual Statement of Accounts. This report focuses on the outturn position and a separate report will be presented to the Executive in July with the commitment budget update and forward projection as the first step to setting a budget for 2009/10 and beyond.
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 That the outturn expenditure for 2007/08, subject to audit, of £66.003m, which represents an underspend of £1.645m compared with the approved budget be noted.
2.2 That the budget carry forwards of £0.582m as set out in paragraph 5.6 be noted.
2.3 That the earmarked reserves as set out in paragraphs 5.10 to 5.11 be recommended to the Final Accounts Committee.
3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations are intended to inform the Executive of financial performance against budget in the 2007/08 financial year.
4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
4.1 The report sets out the Council’s actual financial performance in 2007/08 and the consideration of options is not therefore appropriate.
143 5 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
General Fund Revenue Expenditure 2007/08
5.1 The Council approved a revenue budget of £67.648m for 2007/08. Subsequent to this, the Executive approved budget carry forwards from 2006/07 of £0.048m for LPSA carry forwards. In addition transfers to and from earmarked reserves (£1.337m) have been approved during the course of the year to support specific items of expenditure. These are shown in table 1 below and explanations for the use of the reserves are set out in the following paragraphs.
Table 1: Transfers From Earmarked Reserves/Budget Carry forwards
Budget Performance Structural Insurance Town Total Carry Improvement Changes Fund Centre/Bus Forwards (incl LPSA2) Contracts – LPSA (S106) £000 £000 £’000 £000 £000 £000 Corporate 7 155 346 508 Services Education 17 30 47 Children’s Services& Libraries Environment & 24 20 60 70 190 364 Leisure Social Services 277 0 277 & Housing Non 189 189 departmental Total 48 20 711 70 536 1,385
Carry Forwards In accordance with the Council’s constitution budget underspends can be carried forward to the following year in exceptional circumstances. Members approved £0.048m to be carried forward from 2006/07 relating to the delivery of LPSA targets.
LPSA2 The final two targets for improving community cohesion through culture and sport and for improving health and well being of adult residents relating to the LPSA agreement were agreed in 2007/08 and an allocation from the pump priming grant received was approved to help deliver these new targets.
Structural Changes A number of interim management arrangements have been required plus some small scale departmental restructurings have taken place during the course of the year and these have been approved from the Structural Changes fund (£0.442m). In addition it was agreed to fund the additional work streams as a result of the PwC review from Structural Changes Reserve (£0.269m).
Insurance The Planning Inspectorate fees for the Core Strategy Development Plan Document Examination as part of the Local Development Framework was paid and amounted
144 to £70,270. It was agreed to fund this from an Earmarked Reserve for LDF Enquiry's within the Insurance & Uninsured Claims Reserve.
Bus Contracts from S106 There are three S106 agreements which make provision to support the costs of providing specific bus services to and from developments. Specific bus contracts were negotiated during the course of the year with the funding to be provided from S106 resources (£0.092m).
Town Centre Over the past few years the Council has continued to lead on the redevelopment of the Town Centre and in particular the development of the Civic Hub project. Last year the costs associated with the development agreement and Civic Hub preparations relating to 2005/06 and 2006/07 were capitalised releasing revenue funding which was set aside in the earmarked reserve to fund future years costs. The Council planned to use £0.445m on town centre development proposals in 2007/08.
Provisional Outturn Position
5.2 The following table (table 2) analyses by department the outturn compared with the original budget. These figures inevitably remain subject to minor change, pending external audit. However, no significant movement is anticipated. Explanations for significant variances by service are set out in Annexe A and more detail can be found in departmental PMR’s.
Table 2 – Projected Outturn Expenditure
Department Original Virements Current Outturn Variance Approved Approved Budget Budget £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Corporate Services / Chief 6,808 4,011 10,819 10,092 -727 Executive’s Office Education Children’s 20,686 2,018 22,704 22,382 -322 Services & Libraries Environment & Leisure 26,434 3,387 29,821 29,193 -628
Social Services & Housing 24,259 232 24,491 24,017 -474 Non Departmental -9,882 -8,263 -18,145 -19,166 -1,021 Transfers from earmarked -657 -1,385 -2,042 -515 1,527 Reserves TOTAL 67,648 0 67,648 66,003 -1,645
5.3 The current approved budget takes into account virements actioned during the course of the year. The three most significant being:
1) Transfer of Community Safety (£0.219m) from Social Services & Housing to Chief Executive’s Office 2) Reallocation of budgets for recharges, capital charges, impairments and FRS17 pension adjustment to reflect actual costs (£8.228m). The most significant item being the requirement to charge to service revenue accounts (£9.949m) resulting from revaluation losses and capital expenditure not adding value to the asset (known as impairments) following a change to accounting standards. These
145 have no overall effect on the amount raised from tax payers as they are reversed out within the non departmental line. 3) Transfers from earmarked reserves (£1.385m) as set out in table 1.
5.4 The total projected outturn is £1.645m under spend and this will be added to General Reserves.
There are three significant variances that contributed to the projected outturn of £1.645m underspend namely one-off capitalisation of costs relating to LSVT (£0.360m), additional interest (£1.009m) and the transfer of £0.300m from Structural Changes Reserve back to general balances There are three main reasons for the additional interest:
• impact of LSVT which has been reflected in the 2008/09 budget. • higher interest rates as a result of turbulence in the financial markets. This has not yet been reflected in 2008/09 and will be reviewed and included in the first budget monitoring report for 2008/09. • higher cash balances particularly as a result of government grants received in advance of expenditure. This has not yet been reflected in 2008/09 and will be reviewed and included in the first budget monitoring report for 2008/09.
5.5 Annexe B contains a more detailed analysis of the Council’s treasury management performance during 2007/08. An annual report is required to comply with the Prudential Code for Capital Finance as performance in this area can have a significant impact on the Council’s overall financial position and balances.
Budget Carry-forwards
5.6 In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, some unspent budget provision is permitted to be carried forward to the following year in exceptional circumstances. This would include where expenditure was budgeted for and planned in a particular year, but due to unforeseen circumstances has had to be deferred to the following year. A detailed breakdown of the proposed carry forwards are set out in Annexe C.
Table 3 – Requested Carry Forwards
Department (Details in Annexe C) Requested Requested Requested Requested Total Carry Carry Carry Carry Carry Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward Request (LPSA) (PWC) (New (Existing Projects) Projects)
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Corporate Services/ Chief Executive’s 20 10 161 107 298 Office Education Children’s Services & 42 23 50 115 Libraries Environment & Leisure 38 40 139 217 Social Services & Housing 0 32 5 80 117 Earmarked Reserves -100 -65 0 0 -165 Total 0 0 206 376 582
146 The LPSA Carry Forwards and PWC funding carry forwards relate to unspent allocations from reserves and are therefore not included in the amount transferred to specific budget carry forward reserves. Housing Revenue Account Expenditure 2007/08
5.7 The provisional outturn position on the Housing Revenue Account shows an additional underspend of £0.348m, against a planned surplus of £0.289m making a total of £0.637m which will be added to working balances. This will take the level of HRA reserves to £3.343m. Details of the most significant variances during the year are set out in Annexe D. Once the Secretary of State has given approval to close the HRA then this balance will be added to General Fund Balances.
Balances (General Reserves)
5.8 The actual outturn for 2007/08 was an underspend of £1.645m against planned use of reserves of £3.592m (£2.817m plus £0.775m LABGI from 2006/07). This leaves the General Fund Balance at £5.7m.
5.9 The Council has budgeted to draw £2.1m balances in the current financial year. At this stage, this means that the level of general reserves is provisionally estimated to be around £3.6m by 31 March 2009 (before allowing for the transfer of HRA balances of £3.3m). Total balances including HRA are expected to be £6.9m at 31 March 2009. Of this, at least £4m will need to be held as the minimum prudent level.
5.10 A detailed review of all existing reserves and provisions has been undertaken as part of the accounts closedown process and the Borough Treasurer proposes the following changes, to reflect the changed likelihood of calls on these reserves.
Table 5: Earmarked Reserves
Balance as (Use)/ restated at 1 April additions Balance 2007 2007/08 Sheet 31 March 2008
£’000 £’000 £’000 Budget Carry Forwards 0 376 376 Corporate Innovations (Carry 0 206 206 Forwards for new projects) Performance Improvement 366 0 366 Structural Changes Reserve 1,696 -300 1,396 Environmental Conditions 251 0 251 Insurance & Uninsured Claims 2,299 -87 2,212 Town Centre redevelopment 1,014 -253 761 Repairs & renewals 0 2 2 Education Library Service 169 -41 128 Building Regulation Chargeable -9 11 2 Account Landfill Allowances Trading 258 -130 128 Scheme Supported Accommodation – 18 17 35 Landlord costs
147 School Reserves 1,620 28 1,648 School Improvement Commitments 0 296 296 Major Repairs Reserve 0 2,720 2,720 TOTAL 7,682 2,845 10,527
5.11 These earmarked reserves have been set aside to cover unforeseen costs and the purpose of each reserve is set out below.
Budget Carry Forward In the past this reserve has been used to carry forward approved unspent monies to the following year. The carry forwards requested for 2007/08 are set out in Annexe C
Corporate Innovations Some of the carry forwards identified in Annexe C are new projects which have been identified to help improve service delivery.
Performance Improvement The balance of this fund will be used to fund LPSA2 allocations in 2008/09 for projects to help meet all the ten targets to be achieved by the Council and its key partners. It also contains £0.065m for projects carried forward from 2007/08 as set out in paragraph 5.6.
Structural Changes Reserve The reserve gives an opportunity to fund the one-off additional costs arising from restructuring before the savings are realised. Last year a sum of £0.800m had been transferred to this reserve from the Stock Options reserve. Of the £0.800m it was agreed that £0.500m would be made available to fund the additional work streams as a result of the PwC review. The remaining £0.300m was agreed to be transferred to General Reserves as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan. Therefore, this reserve covers organisational wide and departmental restructures, and provides support for one-off costs associated the PwC Efficiency review.
Environmental conditions The level of this reserve provides cover for just one “Bellwin” type event such as a major flood or storm.
Insurance and other Uninsured losses This provides cover for the excess payable on claims under the Council’s insurance polices (self insurance). It also provides for any potential future claims not covered by existing policies, including contractual disputes and legal claims.
Town Centre redevelopment Over the past few years the Council has continued to lead on the redevelopment of the Town Centre and in particular the development of the Civic Hub project. This reserve is to fund the ongoing development work.
Repairs & Renewals The Council has accumulated funding in an earmarked reserve from service charges paid by tenants at Longshot Lane. In 2007/08 £0.002m was added to the reserve to fund future improvement works.
148 Education Library Service A joint arrangement with other Berkshire authorities for the Education Library Service. This reserve is used for the provision of future equipment such as a new mobile library.
Building Regulation Chargeable Account A statutory ring fenced account which over a three year cycle must breakeven.
Landfill Allowances Trading Scheme (LATS) This reserve represents the unused LATS allowance which will be used to fund future shortfalls between the target set by DEFRA and the actual landfill usage.
Supported Accommodation – Landlord costs Tenants housed in furnished accommodation pay a service charge which will be accumulated in this earmarked reserve to replace furnishings.
School Reserves These funds are used to support future expenditure within the Dedicated Schools Block and include individual school balances.
School Improvement Commitments This is a new reserve set up for 2007/08. Under the Standards Fund grant conditions, it was possible over time to build up a carry forward of unspent grant, the intention being to be in a position at the start of each financial year to fund all fixed term contract staff through to the end of the next August i.e. 17 months of costs. In this way, relevant staff could be offered contracts for an academic rather than financial year period as this is a significant recruitment and retention incentive for staff supporting schools. The outcome from this is that rather than being able to carry forward the full amount of unspent grant, the LAA rules will restrict this, which means that an under spending will be realised this year as grant funding will be used to fund expenditure ordinarily funded through the Council's base budget. This totals £0.296m. In order to meet the full academic year cost of salaries once the grant expires an earmarked reserve has been created to hold the under spend until such time as it is needed.
Major Repairs Reserve In 2004 the Government announced changes to the major repairs allowance (MRA) that meant that 2/3 rds of the MRA was available, through the major repairs reserve, towards investment in housing. The Council added the MRA to its capital resources to construct a £5.5m investment programme in housing for 2007/08. The investments in housing were completed in 2007/08 prior to transfer. The Council has chosen to fund the Housing Improvement expenditure from available capital receipts leaving £2.7m of MRA in the earmarked reserve.
5.12 The Final Accounts Committee, a sub-committee of Council, will formally consider the level of reserves and provisions as part of the Statement of Accounts on 24 June.
6 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor
6.1 There is nothing to add to the report.
149 Borough Treasurer
6.2 The financial implications of this report are included in the supporting information.
Impact Assessment
6.3 None.
Strategic Risk Management
6.4 The Council needs to maintain reserves to aid cash flow and to protect itself from fluctuations in actual expenditure and income. The review of reserves undertaken by the Borough Treasurer ensures that the Council has adequate and appropriate earmarked reserves to manage future risks.
7 CONSULTATION
Principal Groups Consulted
7.1 Not applicable.
Background Papers None.
Contact for further information Chris Herbert – 01344 355694 [email protected] Alan Nash – 01344 352180 [email protected] Mary Farrow – 01344 352158 [email protected] Doc. Ref 24 Jun 08 2007-08 outturn report
150 Provisional Out-turn 2007/08 – Significant Variances Annexe A
Corporate Services & Chief Executive’s Department
Variance Explanation £'000 -335 DSB - Housing Stock Transfer Salaries Capitalisation
This was due to a one-off salary capitalisation of Corporate Services and Chief Executive's staff who worked on the Housing Stock Transfer.
224 Finance - External Audit Fees
£0.175M - Following the change of external auditors District Audit (the new external auditors) assessed the audit fees and identified increased risks and therefore more audit fee was required. In addition the previous auditors (KPMG) charged when the work was done, mostly after the end of the financial year but District Audit charge before the work is done so in 2007/08 there were some double charges. The CPA inspection costs were also higher than expected.
The council incurred an additional £0.004M external audit fees in relation to the public enquires to the 2006/07 final accounts with regard to Cressex Lodge.
Also the Council was informed by the Audit Commission (the new external auditor) that it was required to pay for Grant claims audit work during 2007/08 that would be conducted by them in 2008/09. Grant claims audit work for 2006/07 had already been paid out of the 2007/08 years budget so there were two payments in 2007/08 which resulted in a budget pressure of £0.045M.
-56 Local Taxation
A £0.056M saving was generated from the costs being collected from CTAX payers, due principally because of the volumes of cases during the year and income received being £0.033M higher than last year. A reduction in the bad debt provision of £0.009M calculated at Outturn has also increased the level of underspend. -50 Finance / Home to School Transport
A combination of the numbers of children using this service during the financial year, the fall of two Easter holidays within this financial year and the revised contract prices resulted in a saving of £0.050M being made.
-33 Finance - Insurance
1) -£0.020M Underspend achieved as the Council's insurer agreed to waive the annual adjustment premium.
2) -£0.013M Mostly due to the recharging of insurance administration staff to school's supply teacher scheme and balance of risks insurance.
151 Provisional Out-turn 2007/08 – Significant Variances Annexe A
65 Design & Print Services
The 2006/07 budget proposals identified a £0.015M saving for reduced printing costs as a result of replacing the black and white printer in the Print Room. The printer has not yet been replaced as Invest to Save proposals have not proved to be viable. Therefore the reduction in base budget has resulted in a £0.015M budget pressure.
The additional pressure is due to reduced levels of internal income not covering the all the service costs. Internal income has improved compared to the last financial year as department’s are required to pass all printing work through the Unit and it is anticipated that the full year impact of this will balance the service budget next financial year.
-44 Corporate Properties
Saving on Joint Arrangements Budget due to the numbers of former BCC properties being reduced -£0.020M Lower levels of write-offs than budgeted -£0.022M
-191 Town Centre Redevelopment
At the beginning of the year, budget is vired in from the Redevelopment Reserve to fund programmed works during the year. The following principal factors have caused an underspend during the year:
1) -£0.100M No calls on Contingency 2) -£0.010M Less expenditure on Property Advice required 3) -£0.017M Less expenditure on Town Centre Strategy staff funding than budgeted 4) -£0.047M Delayed expenditure on spatial planning due to phase falling in next financial year.
The underspend of £191,000 is to be vired back to the Reserve. -298 Carry Forwards
A number of carry forwards have been requested fro under spending within the department including: x Equality Standards Action Plan (£0.030m) x Grant to Voluntary Organisations (£0.080m) x Community engagement (£0.020m)] x Essential roofing works to corporate property (£0.040m) x Occupational Health (£0.016m)
152 Provisional Out-turn 2007/08 – Significant Variances Annexe A
Education, Children’s Services & Libraries Department
Variance Explanation £'000 -289 Learning, Achievement & Libraries Significant financial implications have arisen from transferring former Standards Fund grants from general Council control into the Local Area Agreement (LAA). This results in limits being placed on the carry forward of unspent grant, whereas under the Standards Fund, any amount of unspent grant could be carried forward, provided it was fully spent by the end of the following August. This funding is required at the point that grant funding ceases, which is allocated on a financial year basis, currently funding costs of staff employed on an academic year basis. In order to secure the £296k year end under spend as a source of funding salary commitments once grant funding expires, it is proposed to place this under spend in an earmarked reserve. -69 Children & Families: Access & Inclusion There are two areas in this service that have each under spent by around £40k. The Local Public Service Agreement to improve pupil attendance and reduce school exclusions had a delayed start that will result in a £42k under spend. A carry forward request for this amount has been made in order for the project to run for its intended duration. It has also been possible to generate a £37k saving against grant funding for extended services by making a one off charge of expenses normally funded by the Council. 259 Children & Families: Social Care The most significant overspend on Children & Families: Social Care relates to Looked After Children where both an increase in the number of placements from those known when the budget was set, and in some cases, increases in the cost of care packages occurred during the year. As a result, overall cost of placements over spent by £119k. The strategy of the Council is to fund any in-year growth from the Corporate Contingency, and therefore financing arrangements for these additional costs exist.
The other major variance relates to a £38k overspend on the Devolved Staffing Budget as a result of fewer staff vacancies than expected. This was financed by managing savings on other posts, mainly in Performances and Resources. -242 Performance and Resources There were a number of budget variances in Performance and Resources, mainly around staff vacancies. There was significant staff turnover in both the Finance and Human Resources Teams, with a high degree of staff turnover in Admissions and Property and also Performance and Information. Additional grant receipts were received allowing for £47k more expenditure than anticipated to be externally funded, and £10k more income was earned from schools than expected. The joint arrangement for early teacher retirement, managed by Windsor and Maidenhead under spent by £10k. Savings were also achieved on training, recruitment and general office expenses that totalled to £41k.
153 Provisional Out-turn 2007/08 – Significant Variances Annexe A
Environment and Leisure Department
Variance Explanation
£'000 -230 Development Control Income A number of large planning applications were received during the year. It should however, be noted that it is anticipated that the Council will be involved in two appeals in the next financial year in relation to the Staff College site and the TRL site in Crowthorne, the cost of each of these appeals could be £50,000. It may therefore be prudent to review the reserve currently held to fund planning appeals.
56 Development Control Legal Fees Legal fees in respect of appeals at the following sites Buckhurst Moors (£17k), Ashley Farm (£8k), Mayfield Farm (£9k), RAF Staff College Site (£9k), Locks Ride (£7k) and Chavey Down (£6k).
-30 Development Control Planning Delivery Grant The final notification of the revenue Planning Delivery Grant awarded for 2007/08 was £30,000 greater than that budgeted for.
12 Building Regulations Chargeable Account The above account must break even over a 3 year rolling programme. This can be achieved by varying the resources used to run the account or adjusting charges to reflect the resources used. However in order to break even across more than one accounting period it is necessary to operate a reserve. The calculated surplus in 2007/08 will be taken to a reserve from the appropriation section of the Consolidated Revenue Account.
40 Leisure Sites Cost Of Goods Sold As a result of a procurement contract for the provision of catering goods the prices for these supplies have increased compared to those previously negotiated by the sites themselves. This has led to an increase in the cost of these goods and has affected Bracknell Leisure Centre, Coral Reef, Downshire Golf Complex and Easthampstead Park, to the end of December has resulted in estimated additional costs of £34,000. Steps have been taken to limit the impact by purchasing from outside the contract and it is therefore estimated that the revenue pressure for the year will be £40,000.
19 VAT Membership Schemes As a result of a recent court case relating to VAT on membership schemes it was confirmed that membership schemes which include the right to use more than one activity are a single supply, since it can not be know at the time of payment which activities are to be used. The fee cannot therefore be apportioned between supplies which are at different VAT rates. Currently part of the platinum card fee charged at the Leisure Centre is apportioned to courses, based on an analysis of use, and treated as exempt for VAT purposes, this is not allowed. The VAT on this element therefore needs to be repaid to Customs & Excise for the last three years, this amounts to £18,557.
130 Waste Management An adjustment to the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme for the valuation of the surplus allowances. Previously the allowances were valued at £20.20 2005/06, £17.98 2006/07. The valuation in 2007/08 is £5 per allowance. There is currently no market for these allowances, the valuation of these allowances does not affect the general fund until any value is realised. 154 Provisional Out-turn 2007/08 – Significant Variances Annexe A
-85 On/Off Street Parking As a result of cash shortages being identified at the Charles Square multi-storey car park in the last financial year a payment was received in the sum of £33,000 from the car parks management contractor to compensate for this (-£33k). Usage at the car parks increased in the year compared to last year and season ticket income has been higher than budgeted (-£52k).
-48 Licensing Income Income from premises licenses has been greater than that budgeted for due to a large number of premises applying for variations to their license as a result of the new smoking and gambling regulations, increased enforcement and further temporary event licenses has also resulted in additional income (-£37k). As a result of a change in law, chauffeur drivers now have to be licensed, which has resulted in further income to the Hackney Carriage service (-£11k).
25 Bracknell Market Income Bracknell Market - The number of stall holders using the market has continued to decline in the current financial year, the anticipated net loss of income for 2007/08 is £25,000.
-306 Transferred to Capital Highway Maintenance work carried out during the financial year has been capitalised as provided for in the Council's 2007/08 budgetary process (£207k). Building Maintenance work carried out at various sites during the financial year has been capitalised as provided for in the Council's 2007/08 budgetary process (£99k).
-177 Carry Forwards LPSA 2 Public Transport Due to a lack of resource within the section it has not been possible to plan all the projects and complete the necessary works involved. A request is therefore made to carry this sum forward to enable these projects to be completed (-£28k). LPSA 2 Community Cohesion Monies for improving Community Cohesion through Cultural & Sport will not now be spent in this financial year. The Crowthorne Carnival project will not be taking place until July 2008. As a result of staff vacancies within the Arts & Cultural section project work has been postponed until 2008/09.It is therefore requested to carry this sum forward (£10k). Mobile Working In recent months negotiations have taken place to secure a mobile working solution for these operational areas. The need can be addressed by developing the existing IT system that they use such that there is a direct field/back office interface. The system can not be put in place and operational before the end of the financial year and therefore with the agreement of the Borough Treasurer a request is made for a carry forward (-£75k). Planning Delivery Grant A sum of £80,000 was approved in November being the capital element of the Planning Delivery Grant (PDG) the Council receives, together with the additional £4,000 received as part of the final notification of the PDG for 2007/08. Work on quantifying and specifying the work involved in converting the microfiche records into electronic records that can be accessed via IDOX is nearly complete. An invitation to tender will be sent out towards the end of February, this will mean that not all the work will be completed by 31 March. It is estimated that around £20,000 will be spent in this financial year and therefore a request is made to carry the remaining £64,000 forward to enable the completion of the project (-£64k).
155 Provisional Out-turn 2007/08 – Significant Variances Annexe A
Social Services and Housing
Variance Explanation
£'000 Management & Admin Support -36 Vacancies with the management support team
Asst Director Community Care -10 One Off saving in regard to PWC Invest to Save funding on HR support for the modernising of in house home care
-32 Assumed costs of delayed discharges from Hospital trust over estimated in previous financial year and the sundry creditor was not needed.
People under 65 with Mental Health Needs -56 The modernising of day care services provided a significant saving of due to the incremental recruitment of staff to the new service.
-43 The CMHT team experienced vacancies during the year resulting in an underspend.
The Drugs & Alcohol service rehab joint arrangement under spent more information is -26 awaited from Slough BC to understand the reasons for this.
People under 65 with Learning Disabilities -392 Greater funding achieved from the PCT in regard to Continuing Health Care Funding for some service users and also the funding for increased support for people with Elderly carers has not yet been fully realised as the elderly carer have been able to continue longer than anticipated
-80 LD day services have managed down cost in year to fund the start up cost of the Green Machine project. This has been requested as a carry forward as project has not yet begun.
People under 65 with Physical Disabilities 77 Reductions in Residential, Nursing and Home Care costs have been outstripped by the increased commitment for Direct Payments and Living Care during the year
25 Due to maintaining more people at home the aids and adaptation budget has over spent
Intermediate Care 46 Under achievement of service user contributions at Ladybank and increased catering costs. Older People 321 The external home care costs have been reduced significantly since last year, however the saving from block contracts and better market management have not fully covered the gap between budget and spend. The previous year overspend exceeded £700k for external home care.
In House Homecare -63 The in house home care maintained high level of vacancies in year as the service prepared for the modernising project and its planned restructure.
156 Provisional Out-turn 2007/08 – Significant Variances Annexe A
Commissioning 69 Funding gaps for these teams led to an overspend, however the reallocation of grant funding has ensured that these gaps have been filled for 2008/9 Strategy & Resources -85 Significant vacancies within the Strategy and resources teams led to a DSB underspend
-32 Carry Forward in part the PWC investments monies to complete the PWC projects in 2008/9
-36 Reactive maintenance cost less than budget for 2007/08.
Sustainable Communities -52 Capitalisation of interim Director costs supporting the housing Stock transfer
-100 Additional subsidy income received by the authority for meeting its target for Local Authority error rate.
Non Cash Budgets 26 IT recharge income included as part of strategy and resources.
157 Provisional Out-turn 2007/08 – Significant Variances Annexe A
Non Departmental Budgets/Earmarked Reserves
Variance Explanation
£'000 -1,009 Interest There are two key components that determine the level of interest earned by the authority, namely the level of investments and the average interest rate. The 2007/08 budget was set on the assumption that interest rates would remain low and would not significantly increase above a prevailing rate of 5.25%. The actual investment rate achieved was 5.94%. Turbulence in the financial markets during the year contributed to the higher investment rates being achieved
The second factor relates to the average balance for the year. An estimate needs to be made almost five months before the beginning of the budget year as to the level of investments that will be managed. This depends on the cash profile of the authority which itself is affected by the rate of cash spend and the expenditure/income pattern through the period. The average balance for the year has been higher than had been assumed in the budget and as such this has resulted in the increased amount of interest earned. In particular significant Government grants were received in advance of expenditure resulting in higher than expected balances.
Additional interest of £0.300m was earned as a result of LSVT (capital receipt+VAT). 300 Transfer to Capital Reserves The budget proposals relied upon £0.300m being capitalised at the year end. Expenditure of £0.306m of highway maintenance and building maintenance has been identified within Environment & Leisure which meet the definition of capital and can therefore be capitalised at the year end. -426 Contingency Use of remaining contingency was not required. 75 Procurement Savings No further procurement savings were generated as no new corporate contracts had been let in the later part for the year since resulting in savings in 2007/08 101 Financial Adjustments Although the overall level of debt outstanding at the end of the year was lower than as at 31 March 2007 more is of an older nature and requires a higher bad debt provision to be made. -41 Supplementary Pensions There has been a reduction in the number of pensioners who are paid for through supplementary pensions. These pensions are as a result of early retirement granted prior to 1998. -46 LABGI Following a court judgement surrounding the LABGI scheme the DCLG has made an additional LABGI payment to the Council of £0.046m. 711 Earmarked Reserves Reversal of planned use of structural changes fund. 100 Earmarked Reserves LPSA 2 under spending which will be carried forward to 2008/09 582 Earmarked Reserves Carry forwards of £0.582m have been requested to be carried forward into 2008/09. -130 Earmarked Reserves Deficit on Landfill Tax Allowances Scheme (LATS) which has been transferred to an earmarked Reserve to fund future shortfalls 158 Provisional Out-turn 2007/08 – Significant Variances Annexe A
Non Departmental Budgets/Earmarked Reserves
296 Earmarked Reserves Under the Standards Fund grant conditions, it was possible over time to build up a carry forward of unspent grant, the intention being to be in a position at the start of each financial year to fund all fixed term contract staff through to the end of the next August i.e. 17 months of costs. In this way, relevant staff could be offered contracts for an academic rather than financial year period as this is a significant recruitment and retention incentive for staff supporting schools. The outcome from this is that rather than being able to carry forward the full amount of unspent grant, the LAA rules will restrict this, which means that an under spending will be realised this year as grant funding will be used to fund expenditure ordinarily funded through the Council's base budget. This is £296k, which has been reported as a saving on the ECL monitoring report. In order to meet the full academic year cost of salaries once the grant expires it is requested that an earmarked reserve be created in the accounts to hold the unspent balance until such time as it is needed. 50 Earmarked Reserves Planned use of Insurance reserve to fund excesses not required
159 Annexe B
TREASURY MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2007/08
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 The 2003 Prudential Code for Capital Finance introduced requirements for the manner in which capital spending plans are to be considered and approved, and in conjunction with this, the development of an integrated Treasury Management Strategy. One of the primary requirements of the Code is the receipt by the Council of an annual review of the previous year.
1.2 The review covers
i The current treasury position i Capital Expenditure and Financing 2007/08 i The Strategy for 2007/08 i The Economy in 2007/08 i The investment outturn for 2007/08 i Compliance with Treasury Limits
2 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Current Treasury Position
2.1 The Council’s investment position at the end of the 2007/08 financial year was as follows.
31st March ‘08
Borrowing £0.00m
Investments £79.25m
Investment Return 5.94%
Budgeted Return 5.25% 7-Day LIBID1 Benchmark 4.84%
2.2 Average investments for the year amounted to £44.05m, however the balance at the end of the year was significantly higher than at the beginning of the year as a result of the receipt and the VAT Shelter transaction that occurred from the LSVT in February 2008.
Capital Expenditure and Financing
2.3 The Council undertakes capital expenditure on long term assets. These activities may either be funded immediately through capital receipts or capital grants etc, or if insufficient financing is available financed through borrowing. The Council has previously fully financed its capital expenditure and does not therefore have a current borrowing need. The actual capital expenditure forms one of the required prudential indicators and the table below shows how this was financed in 2007/08. Further detail is provided in the Capital Programme Outturn 2007/08 Report.
Notes : 1 LIBID – London Inter Bank Bid Rate 160 Annexe B
£’000 Expenditure Core Capital Programme 20,813 Your Homes 8,412 Total 29,225
Financed by Capital Receipts 21,546 Government Grants 5,981 S106 Monies 1,698 Total 29,225
The Strategy for 2007/08
2.4 At the time of publication of the 2007/08 Treasury Management Strategy Statement, the Bank Rate stood at 5% with a widely held view that rates would rise in the coming months. As such the investment strategy adopted for 2007/08 anticipated interest rates rising to 5.5% in the first quarter of 2007/08, with a balanced risk that rates may increase to 5.75%, but over the medium term return to a neutral rate of 5%.
2.5 With the depletion in overall investments caused by the projected reduction in capital receipts (due in the main to the Pooling Regime) the Council’s ability to make investments beyond its short-term cash-flow needs was limited. Given the economic outlook, the Council’s Investment Strategy was focussed around managing cash- flow requirements. As such officers expected to earn an average of 5.25% over the year, with the potential for a slightly higher return should the Bank Rate increase to 5.75% during the year.
The Economy in 2007/08
2.6 The rising trend in UK interest rates continued in the first half of the 2007/08 financial year. The domestic economic backdrop continued to present problems for the Monetary Policy Committee, notably in the early summer. CPI inflation breached the 3% upper limit of the Government’s target range in April (reported in May), consumer spending growth remained buoyant and an expanding number of companies expressed intentions to raise prices.
2.7 Official Bank Rate was raised to 5.5% in May and 5.75% in July in response to the deteriorating inflation outlook. In addition, the Bank of England’s May and August Inflation Reports hinted that more hikes might be necessary.
Interest Rates 2007/08 Bank LIBOR End Qtr Rate 3mth 6mth 1yr 2007 Mar 5.25 5.6 5.8 5.9 Jun 5.50 6.0 6.1 6.3 Sep 5.75 6.3 6.3 6.2 Dec 5.50 6.0 6.0 5.8 2008 Mar 5.25 6.0 6.0 5.8
161 Annexe B
2.8 The market was plunged into chaos in late August as the tightening of credit conditions, triggered initially by the failure of a selection of US mortgage lending institutions, undermined investor confidence. LIBOR rates rose to well over 6.5% as financial organisations’ reluctance to lend money to counterparties sparked a severe shortage of funds in the market. In the UK, the crisis came to a head with the failure of the Northern Rock Bank (September) and while the danger of potential meltdown was defused by the Government’s decision to guarantee all deposits with this institution, this failed to prevent a prolonged tightening of credit conditions.
2.9 Central banks strove to boost market liquidity via the injection of funds to the banking system and there were signs that this might be working in January. But a series of disappointing financial results and a persistent undercurrent of mistrust ensured a wide margin between official and market rates continued to year end.
2.10 The credit crisis provoked a significant change in the Bank of England’s assessment of UK economic prospects over the medium term. It was clearly concerned that the tightening of liquidity and the consequent rise in borrowing rates across the entire economy could lead to a rapid slowdown in activity. This would help to contain inflation pressures. Bank Rate was cut by 0.25% on two occasions, December and February, to end the year at 5.25%.
2.11 Long-term rates (gilt yields & PWLB rates) charted an erratic course. The upward pressure on rates in evidence in the closing stages of 2006/07 continued into the new year as concerns persisted that international interest rates would need to rise further to combat mounting inflation pressures.
2.12 Gilt yields peaked in late June and started to slip lower in the summer months. The flight to safe investments triggered by the financial crisis placed strong downward pressure upon gilt-edged yields in August/September notably at the short end of the maturity range and the rally in this part of the market gained momentum as the year drew on.
2.13 Progress to lower levels was erratic and limited in the early months of 2008, but the general trend in yields was to lower levels. The most notable development was the reversion of the yield curve to a strongly-positive incline.
Base Rate & 3mth LIBOR
7.0 6.8 Base rate 6.6 3 Month LIBOR 6.4 6.2 6.0 Rate 5.8 5.6 5.4 5.2 5.0 02/04/07 02/05/07 02/06/07 02/07/07 02/08/07 02/09/07 02/10/07 02/11/07 02/12/07 02/01/08 02/02/08 02/03/08 Date
162 Annexe B
Investment Out-turn
2.14 The average internal rate on investments achieved 5.94% on an average balance of £44.05m, representing a full 110 basis points out-performance on the 7-Day LIBID benchmark (4.84%) set by the Council.
2.15 The average balance for the year was also significantly higher than that assumed for budget purposes, due in the main to the LSVT Receipt and VAT Shelter, which added over £55m of funds from February 2008, in addition to significant positive cash flow from one-off projects, namely the Garth Hill BSF scheme.
2.16 As a result of the significantly higher average interest rate, compounding the higher cash balances, the total interest earned in the General Fund exceeded the budget by over £1m, with a net interest on investments booked to the General Fund of over £700,000 as highlighted below.
£’000 £’000 Investment Income Gross Interest -1,270 -2,617 Other Interest -69 -61 Total Interest -1,339 -2,678
Expenditure Interest payments – HRA 1,526 1,785 Interest Payments - Other 30 74 Fees 38 59 Total Expenditure 1,594 1,918
Net Interest 255 -760
Compliance with Treasury Limits
2.17 During the financial year the Council operated within the treasury limits and Prudential Indicators set out in the Council’s Treasury Policy Statement and annual Treasury Strategy Statement. The outturn for the Prudential Indicators is included in the attached appendix..
163 Annexe B
THE PRUDENTIAL CODE FOR CAPITAL FINANCE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES
The Local Government Act 2003 has the effect of replacing the current system of Local Government Capital Finance with a new one, known as the ‘Prudential Regime’ from 1 April 2004. In the Prudential Regime, instead of the historical practice of local authorities only being able to borrow in line with central government prescribed limits, each local authority must decide its own borrowing limits. These must take account of the authority’s financial situation, medium term plans and in particular affordability, as funding capital expenditure has an ongoing revenue cost which must be met from either Council Tax or housing rents.
CIPFA has developed a Prudential Code of Capital Finance in Local Authorities which specifies those indicators that the Council must consider.
No. AFFORDABILITY INDICATORS 2007/08 2007/08 Estimate Out-turn
1 Financing Costs to Net Revenue Stream % % (a) General Fund +0.23 -1.19 (b) Housing Revenue Account -7.21 -8.45
2 Impact of New Capital Investment £ p £ p (a) Cumulative Increase in Council Tax (Band D, per annum) 46.72 49.49
(b) Cumulative Increase in housing rent per week 0.00 0.00
No. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE INDICATORS
3 Estimates of Gross Capital Expenditure £’000 £’000 (a) General Fund 18,009 23,723 (b) Housing Revenue Account 5,500 5,502 (c) TOTAL 23,509 29,225
4 Capital Financing Requirement (as at 31 March) £’000 £’000
(a) General Fund 19,906 -500 (b) Housing Revenue Account 0 0 (c) TOTAL 13,027 -500
No. EXTERNAL DEBT INDICATORS 2005/06 2006/07
5 Authorised limit for external debt - £’000 £’000 (a) Borrowing 25,000 0 (b) Other long term liabilities 0 0 © TOTAL 25,000 0
6 Operational boundary - £’000 £’000 (a) Borrowing 10,000 0 (b) Other long term liabilities 0 0 © TOTAL 10,000 0
164 Annexe B
Notes:
a) The Council has adopted and complies with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management.
b) The above figures make no allowance for any capital expenditure or financing associated with the redevelopment of Bracknell Town Centre and the Civic Hub in particular. This could have an impact on the future prudential indicators.
There are a number of significant variances in these out-turn indicators that relate to the impact of the LSVT on the Council’s finances and the additional interest earned by the Council as a result of higher cash balances and higher than anticipated interest rates.
The affordability Indicators were impacted by the additional interest earned in the year as a result of the circumstances highlighted in the report. This led to investment income on the General Fund as opposed to an expected interest payment in the budgeted indicator. However the impact on New Capital investment was higher than budgeted as a result of the increase in gross capital expenditure resulting from the LSVT (namely Set-up costs and payment of Government Levy).
The Capital Financing Requirement resulted in a negative figure at outturn as a result of the substantial capital receipt from the LSVT which had not been anticipated for budget purposes when the indicators were set.
As the authority remained debt free there was no need to enter into borrowing and as such the External Debt Indicators were both nil for the year.
165 Annexe C
CORPORATE SERVICES / CX OFFICE BUDGET MONITORING Requested Carry Forwards to 2008/09
Total Explanation £'000 £'000
1 10 Legal Services
Purchase of a computerised index system for Legal Services deeds. 2 15 Finance
Consultancy support for business process review of Accounts Receivable ('lean') 3 40 Corporate Property
Part funding £0.080M of essential roofing works at Yeovil Road shops to be started during 2008/09. 4 4 Democratic & Registration Services - RBDM
A computerised Records Register is required by the Births Deaths and Marriages Team to modernise service delivery.
5 20 Chief Executives Office Purchase of a performance management system to be implemented during 2008/09. 6 3 Human Resources
Complete consultancy work for workforce planning by June 2008. 7 4 Customer Services
Create an online Payment Portal (£0.004M). This will be used in conjunction with online payments and will provide a direct link from any application form that a customer fills in to the online payments process.
8 60 Grants to Voluntary Organisations
The annual grant to BFVA was reduced in the short term in the light if its reserves and this now needs to be replaced in 2008/09 9 9 CX Office - Communications Team
Three projects were identified during 2007/08 but will not be commissioned until 2008/09
1) Internal Printing Room work associated with the Borough Welcome Packs funded from the printing budget £0.004M.
2) Developing good quality translation of contact information into the main community languages, that can be used in major council publications - £0.002M
3) Developing online capacity of Town & Country - £0.003M.
A carry forward of these budgets will allow this work to be completed without adversely effecting the 2008/09 budgets which are fully committed.
10 16 Human Resources - Occupational Health
The contract to provide the Occupational Health service was relet with effect from July 2007. Analysis of service usage indicates a backlog of appointments has been accruing through a combination of increased sickness absence management referrals and periods where the contractor could not schedule appointments due to turnover of their staff.
The estimated cost of the backlog in referrals is £0.016M and it is anticipated that they will be cleared during 2008/09.
11 20 CX Office - LPSA2 Community Engagement
A number of programmed work items will be completed during 2008/09, the most significant being:
1) A contribution towards the implementation of Community TV (£0.006M). 2) Developing content on Community TV (£0.002M). 3) Printing of leaflets and venue costs following up actions from the previous neighbourhood questionnaire (£0.005M)
166 Annexe C
CORPORATE SERVICES / CX OFFICE BUDGET MONITORING Requested Carry Forwards to 2008/09
Total Explanation £'000 £'000
12 30 Director of Corporate Services - Implementing the Equality Standard Action Plan
A sum of £30,000 should be carried forward to cover the cost of external support to undertake equality impact assessment work. The work will focus on the three key areas identified for improvement within the Equality Standard Action Plan, by the Equalities Sub Group:
1) Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs)- reviewing progress to date, establishing new priorities and completing outstanding EIAs 2) Equality Impact Assessments - refreshing guidance and training for staff conducting EIAs. 3) Equality arrangements for procurement. 13 19 Insurance
The Council's insurer provides a net reduction in premiums for the council to undertake risk management consultancy. This was not programmed during 2007/08 due to the retender of the insurance contract but it is anticipated that work will be commissioned in the new financial year. 14 20 Grants to Voluntary Organisations
External funding for Shopmobility from the Lottery ceases in the summer and the sum of £20,000 is required to maintain services until the year end. 15 6 DSS - Electoral Registration
Grant funding was received during 2007/08 to cover the additional requirements of new legislation but was not committed during 2007/08. 16 10 Finance - Procurement
Consultancy supporting procurement work on efficiency initiatives was funded from Structural Changes Reserve during 2007/08. This has been commissioned but will be completed during 2008/09. 17 2 IT
To complete the upgrade of Town Centre Information Kiosks commenced in 2007/08 18 10 Chief Executives Office
A sum of £10,000 is required to commission a new crest for the Borough. 298 Total Carry Forwards
167 Annexe C
Education, Children's Services and Libraries Requested Carry Forwards to 2008/09
Note Total Explanation
£'000
LPSA2 - Behaviour and Attendance at school
i 42 An under spending of £42k is forecast on the Behaviour and Attendance at school LPSA. There has been some slippage in activity during 2007/8 which can be made up in the remaining period of the programme. Reporting is based on performance at the end of the academic year 2007/8 and a carry forward of the under spend is requested to enable the completion of the programme.
AD - Children & Families: Social Care
ii 23 The £30k in-year funding to support the PwC efficiency review around regional commissioning and an internal residential home for looked after children, due to deliver cost reductions from 2009-10 is in its early stages, with the majority of consultancy costs expected to occur next year. This results in a £23k under spend this year which is requested to be carried forward.
iii 50 CMT has previously been advised of the planned adoption of a sibling group of three, and that this would require expenditure of around £70k. Whilst around £20k of fees will be incurred this year, the formal adoption process is not expected to complete until next year, at which point the remaining £50k costs will be due. To fund this large commitment, a carry forward request is made.
115
168 Annexe C
ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE BUDGET MONITORING - MARCH 2008 Requested Carry Forwards to 2008/09
NoteReported Explanation variance £'000
1 10 LPSA 2 Monies for improving Community Cohesion through Cultural & Sport will not now be spent in this financial year. The Crowthorne Carnival project will not be taking place until July 2008. As a result of staff vacancies within the Arts & Cultural section project work has been postponed until 2008/09.It is therefore requested to carry this sum forward. 2 75 Environmental Health / Trading Standards & Licensing In recent months negotiations have taken place to secure a mobile working solution for these operational areas. The need can be addressed by developing the existing IT system that they use such that there is a direct field/back office interface. The system can not be put in place and operational before the end of the financial year and therefore with the agreement of the Borough Treasurer a request is made for a carry forward of £75k 3 64 Development Control A sum of £80,000 was approved in November being the capital element of the Planning Delivery Grant (PDG) the Council receives, together with the additional £4,000 received as part of the final notification of the PDG for 2007/08. Work on quantifying and specifying the work involved in converting the microfiche records into electronic records that can be accessed via IDOX is nearly complete. An invitation to tender will be sent out towards the end of February, this will mean that not all the work will be completed by 31 March. It is estimated that around £20,000 will be spent in this financial year and therefore a request is made to carry the remaining £64,000 forward to enable the completion of the project. 4 28 LPSA 2 - Public Transport Due to a lack of resource within the section it has not been possible to plan all the projects and complete the necessary works involved. A request is therefore made to carry this sum forward to enable these projects to be completed. 5 40 Great Hollands Master Plan There is a Corporate initiative to develop master plans to regenerate all neighbourhood centres commencing with Great Hollands.
217 Total
169 Annexe C
SOCIAL SERVICES & HOUSING BUDGET MONITORING - MARCH 2008 Requested Carry Forwards to 2008/09
NoteTotal Explanation £'000
Housing Strategy RSLs sponsored the event and this together with £1,000 contribution from planning (it was a joint conference) means 12 there is excess income of £1,600. This money should be carried forward for further consultation events on the emerging housing strategy.
Green Machine 2 80Learning Disability Services have earmarked £80,000 for start-up funding for the Green Machine from this years budget. In order to manage the financial risks in this funding, CMT may decide to award all of this money or otherwise, and if to award all of it, to stage the payments. Any unspent element could be carried forward from this year. Finance Support Fee Income from Bracknell Forest Homes for Accountancy Support during close-down, which will take place early 33 (February and March). The money could be used to offset some additional costs anticipated in April and May in doing the Performance returns, with agency staff required to cover staff vacancies. 4 12PWC invest to save monies ref SSH5 Care Homes - Work has not yet started 5 20PWC invest to save monies ref SSH2 Fairer Charging Care Homes - Work is ongoing into April and May
117 Total
170 Provisional Out-turn 2007/08 – Significant Variances Annexe D
Housing Revenue Account
Variance Explanation
£'000 23 Dwelling Rents (Gross) Increase in the provision for bad debts from Former Tenants. -53 Tenants Charges Additional income was received in the year from Supportive Housing Tenants for meals service £7,000 and heating and heating and hot water charges £20,000. This has a direct correlation with expenditure on materials and energy costs. Additional income from SLA with Bracknell Forest Homes £14,000 and Forest Care £15,000. -92 Contribution Towards Expenditure Small Land Sales and garages not adjoining dwellings, under the value of £10,000 generated additional income of £74,000. Additional income of £18,000 was also received from supporting people towards the costs of supporting clients not recovered as part of service charges 153 Repairs & Maintenance Write off of BFS balances for work in progress and stores from the balance sheet of £208,000. Off set by savings of £55,000 from lower than expected use of consultants. -27 Supervision and Management Savings of £100,000 in Corporate recharges from the transfer of housing stock to Bracknell Forest Homes. Increase in provision for bad debts £65,000. A DSB pressure arose within the division totalling £49,000. Savings from Supplies and Services of £58,000. Increase in insurance premium offset by leaseholder charges £17,000 -103 Special Services Savings arose with the realignment of Forestcare and from trading activities in the year of £77,000. DSB savings were made of £127,000. A budget pressure arose in premises related expenditure for Caretaking and Communal areas in flats and alarm and key response charges of £39,000. Expenditure on compensation and disturbance payments at Enid Wood House generated pressures of £110,000. Savings from aids and Adaptations of £89,000. Savings of £21,000 from Lift plant and security. Pressures of 62,000 arising from Gas, electricity and catering consumables offset up additional income above. 33 Rents, Rates, Taxes and Other Charges A budget pressure arose from council tax payments being made on void properties -23 Affect of LVT transfer The housing stock transfer has a limited effect on subsidy within the HRA.
-249 Interest Receivable Additional investment income was generated due to higher interest rates throughout the year that those used in estimating the budget for 2007/08.
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172 Agenda Item 11
TO: THE EXECUTIVE 24 June 2008
CAPITAL PROGRAMME OUTTURN 2007/08 (Director of Corporate Services)
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 At its meeting on 13 February 2007, the Executive recommended a capital programme for 2007/08-2009/10 which was subsequently approved by the Council on 28 February 2007. This report updates the Executive on the capital out-turn expenditure position for 2007/08 and requests approval for the carry forward of the remaining capital programme the majority of which is committed but not yet spent. The report also sets out how the 2007/08 expenditure is to be financed.
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 That the outturn capital expenditure and in particular the key variances identified in section 5.6 of the report be noted.
2.2 That the carry forward of £14.591m from the 2007/08 capital programme to 2008/09, including £0.160m relating to projects approved in 2006/07 (paragraph 5.7), be approved.
2.3 That the financing of capital expenditure as shown in Table 4 be noted.
3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 The reasons for the recommendations are set out in section 5 below.
4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
4.1 Not Applicable
5 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Outturn Capital Expenditure
5.1 The capital programme for 2007/08 consisted of £35.082m on projects and programmes. The projected outturn is £20.725m (59% of approved expenditure) which is consistent with performance in previous years. These figures remain subject to change, pending external audit. However, no significant movement is anticipated. The capital programme is monitored on a monthly basis by officers and reported formally to Corporate Management Team on a quarterly basis and through to Members in the Performance Monitoring Reports.
5.2 The published capital budget is based on scheme approvals and it does not reflect the anticipated cash flow. As part of the capital monitoring for 2007/08 cash budgets were introduced to reflect the spend profile of the capital works. The actual spend is
173 85% of the cash budget (£24.262m) and highlights the importance of setting cash budgets as a way of monitoring spend as opposed to scheme approvals. Many of the capital schemes are both technically and logistically complex to implement. Issues such as planning approvals, land transfers and inclement weather can all lead to unavoidable delays. In addition, their financial scale requires a lengthy tender process to ensure that best value is obtained prior to letting the works contract. It is therefore extremely difficult to complete such schemes within the financial year in which they are approved.
5.3 Table 1 summarises the outturn position for schemes managed by Service Departments based on latest information available. The detailed monitoring sheets are provided at Annexes A-D.
Table 1: Capital outturn for each Service Annexe Service Approved Estimated Carry (Under) budget Outturn forward /Over spend £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 A Corporate Services 1,206 654 536 (16) A Council Wide 2,117 1,590 796 269 B Education Children’s 15,505 5,206 10,284 (15) Services & Libraries C Environment & Leisure 8,684 6,452 2,246 14 D Social Service & Housing 1,617 1,015 638 35 D Housing Improvement 5,653 5,502 91 (60) Schemes Capitalisation of revenue 300 306 0 6 Total Capital Programme 35,082 20,725 14,591 231 % spent 59%
5.4 The total carry forwards requested by Service Departments amount to £14.6m. Some of this was planned and is reflected in the cash budgets mentioned above. The remainder arises mainly due to unforeseen circumstances that have resulted in expenditure on planned programmes falling into the current year. Many of the projects have been completed since 31 March or are contractually committed and underway. Out of a total of 186 schemes, 39% were fully completed by the end of the year.
5.5 Three large projects totalling £0.091m for aids and adaptations on what are now former Council Housing Stock properties have been agreed. This was to be financed from the 2007/08 housing improvement programme, however, work has not been completed and these commitments will need to be added to the Disabled Facilities Grant budget in 2008/09 as there is no housing improvement programme following the transfer of the housing stock.
5.6 According to financial regulations, departments are required to manage their budgets to ensure that the overall department capital programme is not exceeded. As can be seen above the overall capital programme is overspent against budget and there have been some significant overspends and underspends which are required to be drawn to the attention of Members (>£25,000). The key budget variances are detailed below.
174 Corporate Services
• Payroll/Personnel Replacement (£27,200 underspend). Following an extensive trial of the self service module it has been agreed the system will not be developed further, resulting in a saving of £0.027m.
Council Wide
• Civic Hub Project management (£269,200 overspend) Over the past few years the Council has continued to lead on the redevelopment of the Town Centre and in particular the development of the Civic Hub project. In the outturn last year the Council capitalised the costs associated with the development, with the agreement of the external auditors, to maximise revenue resources. In total £0.344m was incurred in 2007/08 in preparation for the new Civic Hub compared to a capital budget of £0.075m. The Borough Treasurer has again taken the decision to capitalise all costs associated with Civic Hub preparations, resulting in additional costs chargeable to capital and maintaining the revenue reserve set aside for the Civic Hub project.
Education Children’s Services & Libraries
• Portman Close refurbishment (£34,200 overspend). Higher than anticipated costs were offset by under spending on Library Self Issue machines of £0.050m as the scheme is currently not going ahead.
• Library Self Issue Machines (£50,000). A decision was made not to proceed with this scheme resulting in an underspend of £0.050m
• Ufton Court (£30,000 underspend). Maintenance liabilities undertaken at Ufton Court residential centre, which are subject to a joint arrangement and managed by West Berkshire, were underspent as a result of a reduced programme. West Berkshire, as lead authority for the management of Ufton Court, are currently negotiating termination of the lease and associated dilapidations.
Social Services & Housing
• RSL Support (£35,000 overspend). Contribution to Ability Housing for purchase of a shared ownership property. To be funded from retained housing receipts.
Housing Improvement Programme
Following transfer of the Council Housing Stock no further work has been undertaken on the Housing Improvement Programme and has resulted in an underspend against reprofiled budget of £0.060m.
5.7 In accordance with Financial Regulations, funding for capital projects is automatically permitted to roll forward for one year. After this, funding may only be rolled forward if work on a project has commenced on-site, unless the approval of Members has been obtained. Projects totalling £0.160m (as detailed in Annexe E) carried forward from 2006/07 have not yet been contractually committed. However, work is planned to commence on these schemes in the near future. Consequently, it is requested that these funds be carried forward to the current financial year.
175 Cap italisation of Revenue
5.8 Financial Regulations authorise the Borough Treasurer to review the balance of funding between Capital and Revenue at the end of the year and to transfer funds between these accounts where appropriate such that the level of revenue balances is protected.
Your Homes Following the “Yes” vote in April 2007 costs can now be capitalised to be offset against the capital receipt to be paid to the Council. The total amount capitalised in 2007/08 against the capital receipt for transfer of housing (£34.431m) was £8.412m made up as follows: Table 2: Your Homes costs £’000 BFBC - Pre ballot costs from 2006/07 853 BFBC - Post Ballot costs incurred in 2007/08 including 893 staff time BF Homes set up costs 2,687 LSVT levy payable to Government 3,979 TOTAL 8,412
5.9 The actual level of capital expenditure for 2007/08 was £29.225m, made up as follows: Table 3: Total Capital Expenditure 2007/08 £’000 Core capital programme 20,725 Your Homes 8,412 Other adjustments (Right to Buy costs) 88 Total Capital Expenditure 29,225
Use of capital resources
5.10 Capital expenditure can be financed from four main sources. These are Developers’ Contributions (S106 monies), Grants, Capital Receipts and Borrowing, although no external borrowing has been necessary during 2007/08.
Capital Receipts During 2007/08, £39.778m of capital receipts were received, mainly from the Housing Stock transfer (£34.431m) and sale of council houses (£5.059m). The level of General Fund sales achieved in 2007/08 was adversely affected by the Special Protection Area (SPA). Under the Local Government Act 2003 the Council is required to pay over to central government a proportion of its housing capital receipts. In 2007/08 £3.834m was paid over therefore, the total available resources are £35.944m of capital receipts.
It is proposed that of the 2007/08 expenditure £21.546m be financed from capital receipts.
The Council has committed itself to spending 75% of the available capital receipt from the Stock Transfer to fund new affordable homes. In addition it pledged an extra £1m from the Transfer funds to go towards new youth facilities in South
176 Bracknell. This will need to be added to the capital budget when detailed plans have been prepared.
S106 receipts Each year the Council enters into a number of agreements under Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 by which developers make a contribution towards the cost of providing facilities and infrastructure which may be required as a result of their development. Usually the monies are given for works in a particular area and/or for quite specific purposes. At the start of the financial year, £6.9m was available from accumulated developer contributions to fund projects.
During the year, a number of projects costing £1.698m have been undertaken that can be funded from Section 106 monies. In addition, £2.3m was received from developers towards new projects and £0.138m has supported revenue expenditure on bus contracts.
Taking into account the funding requirements identified above the total Section 106 resources available for future schemes consequently amount to £7.4m as at 31 March 2008. Of this, £3m has already been committed or provisionally allocated for future projects.
Government grants/Contributions A total of £5.981m of government grants and other external contributions have been used to finance capital projects in 2007/08. The majority of the grants received were from the DfES for education projects including devolved capital to schools (£1.4m), and Children’s Centres (£1.0m) and from the DfT for Local Transport Plan (£1.5m).
Major Repairs Reserve In 2001/02 the Government introduced the major repairs allowance (MRA). This was additional funding for capital investment delivered through the subsidy system. However for negative subsidy authorities the impact of this was to significantly reduce the level of subsidy transferred to the General Fund. Transitional arrangements over 10 years were introduced to dampen this effect. From 1 April 2004 the Government announced it would no longer require authorities to finance all of this transitional scheme from its own resources but would contribute to this scheme. This has meant that 2/3 rds of the MRA was available through the major repairs reserve towards investment in housing. However the Council has chosen not to use this reserve but to fund the Housing Improvement expenditure from available capital receipts leaving £2.7m in the Major Repairs Reserve as part of HRA balances. In accordance with regulations these will be transfer to the General Fund on the closure of the HRA.
5.11 Table 4 below summarises how the capital expenditure for 2007/08 will be financed:
Table 4: Financing of Capital Expenditure £’000 Total capital expenditure 29,225
To be financed by: -Capital receipts 21,546 -Government Grants/contributions 5,981 -S106 monies available 1,698 -Major repairs reserve 0 29,225
177 Capital Financing Requirement
5.12 The total capital receipts available to fund capital expenditure were £35.944m. £21.546m was used to fund capital expenditure in 2007/08 leaving a balance of £14.398m of available resources. These resources have been set aside to extinguish the Council’s underlying capital borrowing need brought forward from 2006/07. This means that the Council has an overall negative capital financing requirement at the 31 March 2008 and therefore no minimum revenue provision is required to be made in 2008/09 as anticipated in preparation of the 2008/09 budget. This arose as part of the financial impact of the transfer of housing.
Future Capital Programme
5.13 Work will be commencing over the coming months to prepare the capital programme for 2009/10-2011/12. The extent of the capital programme is based on affordability supplemented by any external funding. The affordability of the capital programme takes into account the revenue impact of the capital scheme both in running costs and the necessity to repay the capital sum. As Members are aware the Council faces a challenge over the next three years on its revenue budget. Therefore, this will necessarily impact on the Council’s ability to continue to fund a capital programme at current levels. It has been assumed in the Medium Term Financial Plan that the capital programme financed from the Council’s own resources will be limited to £6.5m. The actual Council’s resources which will support the capital programme will be considered as part of the budget process over the coming months.
6 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor 6.1 The authorisation for incurring capital expenditure by local authorities is contained in the legislation covering the service areas.
Borough Treasurer 6.2 The financial implications are contained within the report.
Impact Assessment 6.3 None
Strategic Risk Management 6.4 The most significant risk facing the Council is the impact of the capital programme on the revenue budget. As the outturn is in line with that assumed in setting 2007/08 budget the risk on the revenue budget has been minimised. The level of capital receipts received from Stock Transfer and other Council House Sales has resulted in significant additional interest income in 2007/08.
6.5 There are also a range of risks that are common to all capital projects which include: • Tender prices exceeding the budget • Planning issues and potential delays • Uncertainty of external funding (especially when bids are still to be submitted or the results of current bids are unknown) • Building delays due to unavailability of materials or inclement weather • Availability of staff with appropriate skills to implement schemes and IT projects in particular.
178 7 CONSULTATION
7.1 Not Applicable
Background Papers 13 February 2007 Executive Item 8
Contact for further information Chris Herbert – 01344 355621 [email protected] Alan Nash – 01344 352180 [email protected] Mary Farrow – 01344 352158 [email protected] Doc. Ref Capital Year End Executive report.doc
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180 Annexe A
Corporate Services & Chief Executive's Office Capital Monitoring As at 31 March 2008 Cost Centre Description Approved Cash Expenditure Estimated Cash (Under) / Key Target for Current status of the project Budget Budget to date Total Budget Over 31 March including changes to Cash Profile for the 2007/08 Funding 2008/09 Spend year Required against for the approved year budget (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000)
CS Schemes commenced prior to 2007/08
FIMS 7.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.3 0.0 Linked with further developments of Agresso during 2008/09. Payroll Systems Replacement 39.7 12.5 12.5 12.5 0.0 -27.2 Scheme being reviewed Following an extensive trial of the self service module it has been agreed the system will not be developed further. Customer Contact Initiative 149.7 65.5 65.5 65.5 84.2 0.0 A pilot process will have been A balance of £0.077M is currently unallocated and will not be spent during 2007/08. Therefore developed ready for testing. the cash budgets have been amended to show a change in profile. Mobile Working 78.2 70.8 70.8 70.8 7.4 0.0 Electronic Data Records Management System as part of Civic Hub workstream.
New revenue & benefits system 0.0 0.0 10.0 10.0 0.0 10.0 Final payment
Capital Programme - CS (prior to 2007/08) 274.9 148.8 158.8 158.8 98.9 -17.2
Percentages 107% 58% 36% -6%
CS Schemes commenced 2007/08
General Building Maintenance 119.2 92.5 92.5 92.5 26.7 0.0 Completion of programme Electrical work at Depot not undertaken, awaiting results of electrical test. 60% completed. 06/07 projects underway-Email archive/ Single Sign-Off/Identity management projects delayed due to Housing moves, to be carried forward to 08/09. Cash profile amended to reflect current
181 information. £0.020M additional spend already moved to 2008/09 re Civic Hub Technologies. Work now started early on identity management. Carry over to 2008/09 reduced by £20k as IT Developments 375.3 252.4 252.4 252.4 122.9 0.0 maintenance contract ordered early now achieving discount. Case Management Software 37.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 30.0 0.0 Contract awarded with Two suppliers have been shortlisted. Selection to be made during April/May. implementation programme agreed. Transport - Routing & Scheduling Software 57.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 33.0 0.0 New system installed & working System installed. Training ongoing. Going live with Customer Services 14th April Business requirements drafted. Initial contact with suppliers. Procurement process CRM/Telephony Upgrade 151.8 12.8 12.8 12.8 139.0 0.0 Completion end of year. underway. IS Agresso Refinancing 106.0 106.0 106.0 106.0 0.0 0.0 Completion end of year. Invoice paid Equipment in process of commissioning, funding already received from partner authorities and Community TV 85.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 85.0 0.0 Completion end of year. from capital grant funding. Managed via the CDRP. Capital Programme - CS (current year schemes) 931.3 494.7 494.7 494.7 436.6 0.0
Percentages 100% 53% 47% 0%
Capital Programme - CS [all schemes] 1,206.2 643.5 653.5 653.5 535.5 -17.2
Percentages 102% 54% 44% -1% Annexe A
Corporate Services & Chief Executive's Office Capital Monitoring As at 31 March 2008 Cost Centre Description Approved Cash Expenditure Estimated Cash (Under) / Key Target for Current status of the project Budget Budget to date Total Budget Over 31 March including changes to Cash Profile for the 2007/08 Funding 2008/09 Spend year Required against for the approved year budget (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) Council-wide Schemes - prior to 2007/08
Budget committed to IPT Telephony. To be transferred to YM003. £30.4K carry forward to ICT Maint Prog - Network Refresh 40.0 8.8 8.8 8.8 31.2 0.0 08/09. Website Development (Intranet Upgrade) 14.1 12.3 12.3 12.3 1.8 0.0 Underspend in 2007/08 needed for future training requirements. Remaining 50% Fujitsu contract payable, £7.5k currently unallocated so carry forward into Smartconnect - Invest to Save 28.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 28.7 0.0 08/09. Capital Programme - Council-wide (prior to 2007/08) 82.8 21.1 21.1 21.1 61.7 0.0
Percentages 100% 25% 75% 0%
Council-wide Schemes - Commenced 2007/08 Letter of Intent has been issued for a £69k building contract for the remainder of this year's Access Improvement Programme 205.5 102.3 102.3 102.3 103.2 0.0 Completion of programme programme. The work will extend into the summer. Programme of schemes identified. Integrated Travel Card may not proceed so £158.2k shown Smart Card General (Integrated Travelcard, E+Card) 319.9 154.7 154.7 154.7 165.2 0.0 as carry forward and £10k LMS Chip & Pin will be completed in 2008/09. Server replacement identified. £0.025M saving transferred to IPT Project. Replacement Server Refresh 135.7 81.8 81.8 81.8 53.9 0.0 delayed - £0.054M carry forward to 08/09. Civic Hub - Project Management 75.0 344.2 344.2 344.2 0.0 269.2 Monitored through revenue spend - adjusted at year-end ICT Maint Prog - Desktop 312.9 312.9 312.9 81.7 0.0 200 PC's purchased at considerable savings. Refresh supported by contracted engineer, (4 weeks). On track for completion of third quarter refresh. £0.045M budget already transferred to IPT Project. Will generate £0.100M saving from bulk purchasing with DELL during 2007/08 and this will be carried into 2008/09. Next years programme will be reduced by £0.100m. Carry forward now reduced to £80k as purchase of equipment has been brought forward. 394.6 182 Due to recent supplier problems five copiers remain that are over 5 years old. These will be ICT Maint Prog -Photocopiers 240.0 40.1 40.1 40.1 199.9 0.0 All copiers less than 5 years old replaced as part of the 2008/09 programme. Capitalisation of Revenue (Budgets Only) 300.0 300.0 306.0 306.0 0.0 6.0 Monitored through revenue spend - adjusted at year-end ISB (Energy) 126.0 106.5 106.5 106.5 19.5 0.0 94% completion Awaiting contractors to complete works. This programme has been topped up with £35k from an Education budget for asbestos removal. In total, work to the value of approx. £86.5k has either been completed or is in hand Asbestos Management 60.0 48.9 48.9 48.9 11.1 0.0 Completion of programme and approx. £8.5k is to be carried over to 08/09 budget. Orders now placed for surveys of all Secondary & Primary schools. Work will be undertaken during school holidays. 2007/08 projected expenditure inc. fees approx. £53.9k. Balance to be Water Hygiene 60.0 17.5 17.5 17.5 42.5 0.0 Completion of programme carried over to 08/09 budget. A building contract for remedial works to the value of approx. £38k has just been completed Fire Safety 50.0 13.6 13.6 13.6 36.4 0.0 Completion of programme and surveys of some primary schools have been ordered. Members IT Refresh 93.3 89.6 89.6 89.6 3.7 0.0 All refresh was completed by the end of September. Remaining budget to be allocated towards purchase of equipment for member's offices and first year rental of Blackberry devices. Invest to Save Server Refresh 192.0 176.4 176.4 176.4 15.6 0.0 Purchase of Storage Area Network, completed and installed. IP Telephony Pilot Project 81.8 80.4 80.4 80.4 1.4 0.0 Pilot underway. Funding for the additional purchase of phones, server and development work has been identified from Network Refresh. Expenditure in 2008/09 will require the carry forward funding from YM182 Network Refresh. Capital Programme - Council-wide (current year schemes) 2333.8 1868.9 1874.9 1874.9 734.1 275.2
Percentages 100% 80% 31% 12%
Capital Programme - Council-wide (all schemes) 2,416.6 1,890.0 1,896.0 1,896.0 795.8 275.2
Total Capital Programme 3,622.8 2,533.5 2,549.5 2,549.5 1,331.3 258.0
Percentages 101% 70% 37% 7% Annexe B Education, Children's Services & Libraries Capital Monitoring 2007-08 provisional outturn
Cost Centre Description Approved Final Expenditure Estimated Cash (Under) / Key Target for Current status of the project Budget Cash to date Total Budget Over 31 March including changes to CashProfile for the Budget Funding 2008/09 Spend year 2007/08 Required against for the approved year budget (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000)
Schemes commenced prior to 2007/08
South Bracknell Re-organisation - Birch Hill 2a - Redesigned Infant Classrooms 7.5 7.5 22.5 22.5 0.0 15.0 Complete. Post completion. South Bracknell Re-organisation - Birch Hill 2b - Redesigned Infant Classrooms 210.4 122.1 122.1 122.1 88.3 0.0 Complete. Mobilisation. South Bracknell Re-organisation - Pines - staffroom & administration 21.5 21.5 6.1 6.1 0.0 -15.4 Complete. Post completion. South Bracknell Re-organisation - Pines - Single Modular 17.4 17.4 17.7 17.7 0.0 0.3 Complete. Post completion. South Bracknell Re-organisation - Pines - Nursery and Foundation Class 168.9 155.2 155.2 155.2 13.7 0.0 Complete. Post completion. South Bracknell Re-organisation - Pines - Occupation of remaining space 150.0 7.1 7.1 7.1 142.9 0.0 Complete. Outline proposals. Building Schools for the future -planning 50.6 0.2 0.2 0.2 50.4 0.0 Masterplans Complete. Garth Hill complete, Ranelagh yet to start, others in draft Modernisation Funding -Roof voids 40.8 3.4 3.4 3.4 37.4 0.0 Complete. Additional works identififed following insurance assessments. In progress. Brakenhale School Changing Rooms & Sports Hall Floor 0.0 0.0 3.0 3.0 0.0 3.0 On site. Scheme at planning stage with land sale receipts subject to SPA being lifted Brakenhale Land Sale - OLC demolition, Reprovision & Relocations 2,486.3 320.3 320.3 320.3 2,166.0 0.0 On site. Tender action. Brakenhale Land Sale - School Refurbishment 1,690.0 1.4 1.4 1.4 1,688.7 0.0 In design. Strategic brief. Garth Hill - Additional School Places (modulars) 3.8 3.8 16.5 16.5 0.0 12.6 Complete Post completion. Kennel Lane Modular Building 7.0 7.0 8.7 8.7 0.0 1.7 Complete Post completion. Section 106 Contributions - Schools 384.7 194.3 194.3 194.3 190.5 0.0 Funds Allocated Schemes agreed. School Improvements 5,239.0 861.2 878.4 878.4 4,377.8 17.2
Curriculum Development 7.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.6 0.0 Complete Garth Hill, Easthampstead Park & Kennel Lane complete. Retentions to pay. 183 Curriculum Development 7.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.6 0.0
SI Cranbourne Primary 40.0 2.2 2.2 2.2 37.8 0.0 Complete Post completion. Crowthorne Primary 176.6 169.3 169.3 169.3 7.3 0.0 On site. Tender action. Suitability 216.6 171.6 171.6 171.6 45.0 0.0
Retentions 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.0 Complete Final fees to pay
CAPITAL PROGRAMME - DEPT CONTROLLED 5,464.0 1,032.8 1,050.0 1,050.0 4,431.2 17.2 [schemes b/fwd from prior year(s)]
Percentages 101.7% 101.7% 0.3%
Schemes commenced 2007/08
Primary AP - Health & Safety 0.0 1.8 1.8 1.8 -1.8 0.0 Committed Various projects Health & Safety 74.7 54.2 54.2 54.2 20.5 0.0 Complete. Brakenhale fire safety works in progress. Special AP - Health & Safety 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Committed Various projects Asbestos Management (Asbestos at Work Legislation) 25.5 26.2 26.2 26.2 -0.8 0.0 Complete. Outline proposals. Water Hygiene Prevention of Legionellosis (COSHH Legislation) 14.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 14.4 0.0 In progress In progress. Safety Glazing (Safety Glazing Regulations) 40.3 34.9 34.9 34.9 5.3 0.0 In progress In progress. Heath & Safety 154.8 117.2 117.2 117.2 37.6 0.0
Primary AP - School Meals Kitchens 7.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.7 0.0 School Meal Kitchens 7.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.7 0.0 In progress Rolling programme
Disabled Access (SENDA & DDA Legislation) 88.7 59.4 59.4 59.4 29.3 0.0 Complete Works at Easthampstead Park School - tender action. Seymour House Lift -3.0 -3.0 10.2 10.2 0.0 13.2 Complete Post completion. Access for Disabled 85.7 56.4 69.6 69.6 29.3 13.2
Minor Works 5.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.9 0.0 Minor Works 5.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.9 0.0 Complete In progress Annexe B Education, Children's Services & Libraries Capital Monitoring 2007-08 provisional outturn
Cost Centre Description Approved Final Expenditure Estimated Cash (Under) / Key Target for Current status of the project Budget Cash to date Total Budget Over 31 March including changes to CashProfile for the Budget Funding 2008/09 Spend year 2007/08 Required against for the approved year budget (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) Edgbarrow - additional places and post 16 accomodation 1,172.7 4.0 4.0 4.0 1,168.7 0.0 On site. Outline proposals. Binifeld School Hall (S106) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Complete Outline proposals. Kennel Lane additional parking and external lighting 50.0 20.9 20.9 20.9 29.1 0.0 On site. Strategic brief. School Improvements 1,222.7 24.9 24.9 24.9 1,197.8 0.0
Curriculum Development 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Library Service 8.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 7.0 0.0 Complete In progress Youth Service 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 Complete Edgbarrow Youth Centre complete. Awaiting final account. Ascot Heath Library suitability improvements (s106) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Complete Complete, in defects period Suitability 8.6 1.3 1.3 1.3 7.3 0.0
Planned Maintenance (schools) 908.7 356.6 356.6 356.6 552.1 0.0 In progress. In progress.
Planned Maintenance (non Schools) 152.8 91.2 91.2 91.2 61.5 0.0 In progress. In progress.
Ufton Court 30.0 30.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -30.0 Complete On-going maintenance costs as per Berkshire Joint Arrangement Education ICT 15.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 15.5 0.0 Complete. Options being considered Extended Schools 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 In Progress Various schemes currently in design Children's Centres 724.8 42.7 42.7 42.7 682.1 0.0 In Progress Various schemes currently in design Children's Centre - Easthampstead Park Area 0.0 612.1 612.1 612.1 -612.1 0.0 Complete. Great Hollands, planning approved. Children's Centre - Brakenhale Area 180.3 367.3 367.3 367.3 -187.0 0.0 Complete. Fox Hill, on site.
Children's184 Services System Integration 494.3 116.5 116.5 116.5 377.7 0.0 System implemented. Tenders being evaluated. Portman Close refurbishment 258.4 258.4 292.5 292.5 0.0 34.2 Complete. Post completion. Mobile technology to support children's social workers 19.1 10.8 10.8 10.8 8.3 0.0 Complete. Options being evaluated. Old schemes 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 Other (Education) 1,722.4 1,437.9 1,442.1 1,442.1 284.5 4.3
Section 106 Contributions - Community (Libraries & Youth) 9.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.5 0.0 Complete Out to tender Youth Service Website Development 30.0 0.2 0.2 0.2 29.8 0.0 Complete Under development Youth Capital Fund 80.1 80.1 80.1 80.1 -0.0 0.0 Programme agreed Works on schemes at various stages Youth Facilities 119.6 80.3 80.3 80.3 39.3 0.0
Libraries Self Issue Machines 50.0 50.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -50.0 Programme agreed Scheme deferred. Library Improvements 50.0 50.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -50.0
Library Management System integration with Smart Card 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 Complete Work in progress. Other (Libraries) 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0
CAPITAL PROGRAMME - DEPT CONTROLLED [current year schemes] 4,439.4 2,215.7 2,183.1 2,183.1 2,223.7 -32.6
Percentages 98.5% 98.5% -0.7%
CAPITAL PROGRAMME - DEPT CONTROLLED [all schemes] 9,903.4 3,248.4 3,233.1 3,233.1 6,655.0 -15.4
Percentages 99.5% 99.5% -0.2% Annexe B Education, Children's Services & Libraries Capital Monitoring 2007-08 provisional outturn
Cost Centre Description Approved Final Expenditure Estimated Cash (Under) / Key Target for Current status of the project Budget Cash to date Total Budget Over 31 March including changes to CashProfile for the Budget Funding 2008/09 Spend year 2007/08 Required against for the approved year budget (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000)
Schemes outside department control
Edgbarrow - Specialist School (s106) 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.2 0.0 Complete. Complete. In defects and awaiting final account. Curriculum Development 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.2 0.0
NOF Harmans Water All Weather Pitch 9.7 -6.0 -6.0 -6.0 15.7 0.0 Complete. Post completion. NOF Brakenhale Trampolining Centre 669.7 -34.6 -34.6 -34.6 704.3 0.0 In design. Final proposals (estimate) NOF Edgbarrow Tennis Court Modernisation 0.0 -24.5 -24.5 -24.5 24.5 0.0 Complete. Complete. In defects. NOF Orienteering Course 1.7 -1.6 -1.6 -1.6 3.3 0.0 Complete. Complete. In defects. Rebuild of Garth Hill College 2,015.0 607.1 607.1 607.1 1,408.0 0.0 Contractor appointed. Outline proposals. Jennetts Park Primary School 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 -0.5 0.0 Contractor appointed. Outline proposals. School Improvements 2,696.1 540.9 540.9 540.9 2,155.2 0.0
Devolved Capital 2,903.6 1,432.2 1,432.2 1,432.2 1,471.5 0.0 In Progress School managed projects at various stages of progress
CAPITAL PROGRAMME - OUTSIDE DEPT CONTROL 5,602.0 1,973.1 1,973.1 1,973.1 3,628.9 0.0
Percentages 100.0% 100.0% 0.0% 185 TOTAL CAPITAL PROGRAMME 15,505.3 5,221.5 5,206.1 5,206.1 10,283.9 -15.4
Percentages 99.7% 99.7% -0.1% Annexe C ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE CAPITAL MONITORING 2007/08 As at 31 March 2008
Total Cash Expenditure Estimated Total Cash (Under)/Over (Under)/Over Budget Budget to date Funding Budget Spend Spend Required for the For 2007/08 2007/08 Year 2008/09 Section 106
£'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s
PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION 2,740.8 2,243.9 2,244.7 2,244.7 496.9 -1.1 1.9 ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC PROTECTION 3,013.6 2,291.4 2,297.2 2,297.2 722.2 5.8 - LEISURE 1,295.7 1,058.6 1,063.0 1,063.0 237.1 4.4 - CULTURAL & VISUAL ENVIRONMENT 1,501.5 750.5 754.3 754.3 751.0 3.8 - SUPPORT SERVICES 131.8 92.5 93.2 93.2 39.3 0.7 -
TOTAL ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE CAPITAL PROGRAMME 8,683.4 6,436.9 6,452.4 6,452.4 2,246.5 13.6 1.9
186 Percentages 74.3% 25.8% Annexe C
ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE CAPITAL MONITORING 2007/08 As at 31 March 2008
Scheme Total Cash Expenditure Estimated Total Cash (Under)/Over (Under)/Over Key Current status Budget Budget to date Funding Budget Spend Spend target of the project Required for the For 2007/08 2007/08 Year 2008/09 Section 106 for 31 March Target for 2008 Completion £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Locks Ride Footway 18.0 18.0 18.2 18.2 0.2 Complete Aug-07 Scheme complete Cycle Network Signing Improvements Phase 1 (Design Work) 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete
Sandhurst/Crowthorne Package Pedestrian and Cycling Schemes : - - Yorktown Road Puffin Crossing nr Branksome Hill Road 55.0 55.0 65.5 65.5 10.5 Complete Feb-08 Scheme complete North Bracknell Package Pedestrian and Cycling Schemes : 80.0 80.0 80.7 80.7 0.7 Calfridus Way to London Road Footway/Cycletrack - - Complete Nov-07 Scheme complete Waldron Hill Footway/Cycletrack - - Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete Longhill Footway - - Complete Sep-07 Scheme complete B3408 Package Pedestrian and Cycling Schemes : 23.2 23.2 20.9 20.9 (2.3) London Rd F/C - Mutton Hill to Farley Copse Lighting Improvements - - Complete May-07 Scheme complete Staff College Off-Site Works : - - Bagshot Road Footway/Cycletrack, Lighting Imps and Toucan Crossing 226.7 226.7 237.3 237.3 10.6 Complete Oct-07 Scheme complete Ralphs Ride Footway/Cycletrack and Toucan Crossing 80.0 80.0 84.7 84.7 4.7 Complete Nov-07 Scheme complete Peacock Farm Off-Site Works : - - Complete Ringmead (near Welbeck) Footway/Cycleway and Toucan Crossing 80.0 80.0 80.3 80.3 0.3 Mar-08 Scheme complete Mill Park Footway/Cycletrack 100.0 100.0 97.6 97.6 (2.4) Complete Aug-07 Scheme complete Peacock Lane/Waterloo Road Cycling Provision 50.1 6.8 6.8 6.8 43.3 Complete Jun-08 Works in progress on site. Completion due in June TOTAL WALKING & CYCLING 723.0 679.7 702.0 702.0 43.3 8.4 13.9 Safe Routes to Schools Programme : 240.0 209.0 209.0 209.0 31.0 Complete 187 Harmans Water Primary - Harmans Water Road Footway/Cycletrack Complete Jun-07 Scheme complete Holly Spring Schools - Bay Road Pedestrian Crossing Complete Apr-08 Scheme designed and works ordered to start end of May in line with road closure date for surfacing works
Warfield C of E School - Harvest Ride Footway/Cycletrack Complete Nov-07 Scheme complete Improvements From School Travel Plans Complete Apr-08 Works still in progress on site. Problems with equipment suppliers Winkfield St Marys Primary - Chavey Down Crossroads Signals mps Complete Jun-08 Quotations being sought through consultants following recent Exec Member approval to proceed with detailed design TOTAL TRAVEL TO SCHOOL 240.0 209.0 209.0 209.0 31.0 - - 2007/08 Local Safety Schemes : 160.0 160.0 154.9 154.9 -5.1 Complete A3095 Warfield Rd j/w Harvest Ride Complete Nov-07 Scheme complete B3034 Forest Rd j/w Braziers Lane/Locks Ride Complete May-08 Works ordered B3348 Dukes Ride j/w New Wokingham Rd Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete Ringmead (East) and Birch Hill Rd Area Complete Dec-07 Scheme complete Visibility Improvements at Rural Junctions - Phase 1 Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete TOTAL LOCAL SAFETY SCHEMES 160.0 160.0 154.9 154.9 0.0 -5.1 - Park and Ride Scheme Development 5.0 5.0 10.5 10.5 5.5 Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete Decriminalisation of on-street parking offences preparation 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 Complete Jun-07 Scheme complete Parkmark Works - Phase 1 20.0 20.0 27.6 27.6 7.6 Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete TOTAL PARKING 28.4 28.4 41.5 41.5 - 13.1 - Bus Stop Imps, Connecting Paths and Pole Upgrades Programme 119.1 119.1 118.7 118.7 (0.4) Complete Jan-08 Schemes completed Bracknell Rail Station Forecourt Improvements (Design Work) 25.0 25.0 23.2 23.2 (1.8) Complete Mar-08 Schemes completed Congestion Hotspots Improvements 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 Complete Oct-07 Schemes completed Lites Contribution 5.0 5.0 4.3 4.3 -0.7 Complete Mar-08 Schemes completed Route Specific Quality Partnership Feasibility Works and Completion of RTPI 48.6 13.6 13.6 13.6 35.0 Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete. Carry forward of balance required for future 2 years maint.
Replacement of Bus Priority Control System Phase 1 15.0 15.0 9.4 9.4 -5.6 Complete Dec-07 Schemes completed Installation of Bus Priority On-Board Trigger Equipment at Bus Garage 15.0 15.0 13.8 13.8 -1.2 Complete Jul-07 Scheme complete TOTAL BUS, RAIL & TAXI TRAVEL 237.7 202.7 193.0 193.0 35.0 -7.5 - 2.2 2007/08 Speed and Traffic Management Schemes : 201.1 201.1 189.7 189.7 -11.4 B3348 Dukes Ride - Complete Jan-08 Scheme complete B3017 Chavey Down Road - Complete Jan-08 Scheme complete Market Street - Complete Sep-07 Scheme complete A3095 Crowthorne Rd / Nine Mile Ride - Complete Jul-07 Scheme complete Frieght Signing - Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete Annexe C
ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE CAPITAL MONITORING 2007/08 As at 31 March 2008
Scheme Total Cash Expenditure Estimated Total Cash (Under)/Over (Under)/Over Key Current status Budget Budget to date Funding Budget Spend Spend target of the project Required for the For 2007/08 2007/08 Year 2008/09 Section 106 for 31 March Target for 2008 Completion £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Bay Road Traffic Management Works (in conjunction with ped crossing) Complete TM Schemewithdrawn now due to repositioning of SRTS Zebra Crossing Longhill Rd / Priory Rd Junction Imp Feasibility Complete Nov-07 Scheme complete London Rd / Longhill Rd Capacity/Signal Review Complete Nov-07 Scheme complete Baldocks Garage Roundabout Interim Improvements 63.0 63.0 48.3 48.3 -14.7 Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete
TOTAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT 264.1 264.1 238.0 238.0 - - 11.4 -14.7 Mobility Improvements 40.0 40.0 39.0 39.0 -1.0 Complete Sep-07 Scheme complete Traffic Modelling 250.0 137.6 137.6 137.6 112.4 Complete 2008/09 Modelling in progress. C/F reqd to complete work in 2008/09 Travel Choice promotion works 10.5 10.5 12.3 12.30 1.8 Complete Jun-07 Scheme complete TOTAL DEMAND MANAGEMENT AND TRAVEL CHOICE 300.5 188.1 188.9 188.9 112.4 0.8 - Peacock and Mill Pond Roundabouts 18.3 18.3 24.2 24.2 5.9 Complete Dec-07 Scheme complete Three Legged Cross - Complete 2008/09 Third party land purchase negotiations underway. Works now due in 2008/09
Plough & Harrow 152.5 113.6 113.6 113.6 38.9 Complete Apr-08 Scheme substancially complete. C/F reqd to finish works in April
London Road Dualling Coppid Beech & JNW 116.6 88.9 88.9 88.9 27.7 Complete Apr-08 Detailed design nearing completion. C/F reqd to complete consultants work A3095 Wildridings Roundabout / Mill Lane Roundabout 55.0 34.7 34.7 34.7 20.3 Complete 2008/09 Scheme partially complete due to problems with condition of street lightingcable in Mill Lane. C/F reqd to finish off the scheme next year after Mill Lane street lighting refurb. Broad Lane / Bardeen Place Junction Enlargement 50.0 50.0 49.0 49.0 -1.00 Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete Junction Broad Lane/Ralphs Ride/ Brants Bridge 124.6 122.9 122.9 122.9 1.7 Complete Aug-08 Tree removed in Brants Bridge. Stats diversion/protection works underway. Main roundabout constrution programmed to start in June.
B3408 Package188 - Mutton Hill Junction 10.0 10.0 10.2 10.2 0.2 Complete Jan-08 Scheme complete SBA Southbound Upslip onto A3095 from SBA 59.2 59.2 59.6 59.6 0.4 Complete Feb-08 Scheme complete
TOTAL HIGHWAY CAPACITY AND ROADSPACE ALLOCATION 586.2 497.6 503.1 503.1 88.6 0.6 4.9 IT Application - Development Control 20.8 - - 20.8 Complete Apr-08 Order about to be placed to transfer information currently on microfiche onto electronic records. TOTAL OTHER SCHEMES 20.8 - - - 20.8 - - Car Park Lifts and Escalators 180.1 14.3 14.3 14.3 165.8 Complete Jun-08 Tenders have now been received, awaiting legal process for land transfer. C/F reqd to carry out work in 2008/09 MAINTENANCE 180.1 14.3 14.3 14.3 165.8 0.0 0.0
TOTAL PLANNING & TTRANSPORTATION 2,740.8 2,243.9 2,244.7 2,244.7 496.9 -1.1 1.9
Percentages 81.9% 18.1% Annexe C
ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE CAPITAL MONITORING 2007/08 As at 31 March 2008
Scheme Total Cash Expenditure Estimated Total Cash (Under)/Over (Under)/Over Key Current status Budget Budget to date Funding Budget Spend Spend target of the project Required for the For 2007/08 2007/08 Year 2008/09 Section 106 for 31 March Target for 2008 Completion £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Bridge Strengthening 249.8 151.3 151.3 151.3 98.5 Complete Mar-08 Works in progress. C/F required for Mill Lane Footbridge Scheme Bridge Structural Maintenance 70.9 23.8 23.8 23.8 47.1 Complete Mar-08 Works in progress. C/F required for Mill Lane Footbridge Scheme Bridge Assessments 80.9 26.2 26.2 26.2 54.7 Complete Mar-08 Works in progress. C/F required for Mill Lane Footbridge Scheme Road Maintenance - Surface Treatment 523.5 523.5 523.7 523.7 - 0.2 Complete Sep-07 Surface treatment programme completed, final account agreed. Mill Lane Footbridge 1,050.0 730.1 730.1 730.1 319.9 Complete 2008/09 Works in progress LTP Grant - - - - LTP schemes have been partly funded in 2007/08 by specific grant. Capitalisation of Revenue (Highways) 200.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Complete 2008/09 Carry forward for inclusion in 2008/09 surface treatment programme TOTAL HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE 2,175.1 1,554.9 1,555.1 1,555.1 620.2 0.2 - Carriageway Refubishment (NTI) 67.0 61.3 61.3 61.3 5.7 Dec-07 Surface treatment programme completed, final account to be agreed.Bullbrook stage came in below estimate , £5.7k carry forward for Easthampstead stage. Footway Refurbishment (NTI) 183.0 183.0 183.8 183.8 0.8 Dec-07 Surface treatment programme completed, final account agreed. TOTAL NEW TOWN INHERITANCE 250.0 244.3 245.1 245.1 5.7 0.8 Easthampstead Crematorium - Reline Cremator 30.0 18.3 18.3 18.3 11.7 Complete Nov-07 Scheme complete Easthampstead Crematorium - Floral Display Area Cover / Waiting Area 32.0 32.0 31.7 31.7 -0.3 Complete Jun-07 Scheme complete Bracknell Market Renovation Exterior 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 Complete Dec-07 Scheme complete Amenity Improvements (New Towns Inheritance) 120.0 120.0 125.2 125.2 - 5.2 Complete Nov-07 Scheme complete Maintenace (Steet Lighting) 132.8 132.8 132.7 132.7 - -0.1 Complete Mar-08 Schemes in progress Land Drainage 31.3 27.5 27.5 27.5 3.8 Complete Sep-07 Some schemes complete remaining schemes in progress Asset Management Plan 40.5 16.2 16.2 16.2 24.3 Complete Mar-08 Project in progress £24.3k budget carry forward Recycling 22.0 - - 22.0 Complete 2008/09 Costs transferred to YP234 Blue bins will be ordered in summer 2008 when MRF is completed 189 Purchase of Refuse Bins & Boxes 36.9 2.4 2.4 2.4 34.5 Complete 2008/09 Costs transferred to YP234 Blue bins will be ordered in summer 2008 when MRF is completed Waste Performance & Efficiency Schemes 128.0 128.0 128.0 128.0 - Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete - - - TOTAL OTHER SCHEMES 588.5 492.2 497.0 497.0 96.3 4.8
TOTAL ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC PROTECTION 3,013.6 2,291.4 2,297.2 2,297.2 722.2 5.8
Percentages 76.3% 24.0% Annexe C
ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE CAPITAL MONITORING 2007/08 As at 31 March 2008
Scheme Total Cash Expenditure Estimated Total Cash (Under)/Over (Under)/Over Key Current status Budget Budget to date Funding Budget Spend Spend target of the project Required for the For 2007/08 2007/08 Year 2008/09 Section 106 for 31 March Target for 2008 Completion £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Edgbarrow Sports Centre - Conversion Bar Area - Building Works 146.4 146.4 148.7 148.7 2.3 Complete Apr-08 Scheme nearly complete
Edgbarrow Sports Centre - Conversion Bar Area - Fixtures & Fittings 45.0 13.3 13.3 13.3 31.7 Complete Apr-08 Fixtures and fittings now being ordered LEISURE EXTERNALLY FUNDED 191.4 159.7 162.0 162.0 31.7 2.3 Downshire Golf Complex - Equipment Replacement 35.0 35.0 35.1 35.1 0.1 Complete Sep-07 Scheme complete
OUTDOOR RECREATION 35.0 35.0 35.1 35.1 - 0.1 Minor Works - Refurbishment 97.4 75.9 75.9 75.9 21.5 Complete Apr-08 Schemes nearly complete. Minor Works - Improvements 69.0 62.4 62.4 62.4 6.6 Complete Apr-08 Schemes nearly complete. Minor Works - The Look Out 5.0 - - 5.0 Complete Apr-08 Awaiting planning permission ICT Leisure 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.2 Complete Apr-08 Scheme complete MINOR WORKS 178.6 145.5 145.5 145.5 33.1 0.0 Building Maintenance 618.9 452.6 452.6 452.6 166.3 Complete Mar-08 Various schemes in progress. Surveyors programme has slipped, awaiting update.
MAINTENANCE 618.9 452.6 452.6 452.6 166.3 0.0 Easthampstead Park - Refurbishment Bedrooms 163.8 163.8 165.8 165.8 2.0 Complete Aug-07 Scheme complete Downshire Golf Complex - Automatic Tees 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 Complete Apr-07 Scheme complete Edgbarrow Sports Centre - Gym Refurbishment 63.0 57.0 57.0 57.0 6.0 Complete Apr-08 Scheme complete.C/F required for marketing new facility. INVEST TO SAVE SCHEMES 271.8 265.8 267.8 267.8 6.0 2.0
TOTAL LEISURE 1,295.7 1,058.6 1,063.0 1,063.0 237.1 4.4
190 Percentages 82.0% 18.3% Annexe C
ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE CAPITAL MONITORING 2007/08 site As at 31 March 2008
Scheme Total Cash Expenditure Estimated Total Cash (Under)/Over (Under)/Over Key Current status Budget Budget to date Funding Budget Spend Spend target of the project Required for the For 2007/08 2007/08 Year 2008/09 Section 106 for 31 March Target for 2008 Completion £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Binfield Nursery 150.0 73.7 73.7 73.7 76.3 Complete Mar-08 Replacement polytunnel to be purchased and erected with the next 4 weeks. Repairs to the roofing of existing buildings are underway. Pre Planning Application is to be submitted regarding proposed alterations to the internal of existing building, construction of a rain water storage tank and hard standing areas. Delays have been experienced in the installation of new independent electricity supply.
Replacement of Treebase - Tree Surveys 100.0 32.8 32.8 32.8 67.2 Complete Mar-08 After some delays in implementing the new computer system, work on data capture has now started on site and is proceeding rapidly. TOTAL OTHER SCHEMES 250.0 106.5 106.5 106.5 143.5 - Shepherds Meadow 2.8 2.8 2.0 2.0 -0.8 Complete Oct-07 Scheme complete Purchase of Land Hayley Green Woods 20.0 - - 20.0 Complete Mar-09 Project delayed as dependant on outcome of negotiations with several land owners, which is unlikely to be concluded by March 2008 Farley Wood Tennis Centre 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 Complete Apr-07 Scheme complete Deepfield Road Play Area Renewal 60.0 - - 60.0 Complete Apr-08 Contractors on site, work will not now be complete until April Wildmoor Heath Habitat and Access Management 85.0 21.2 21.2 21.2 63.8 Complete Mar-08 Interpretation works will be complete. Fencing, path improvements and other works will not be completed until 2008/09. Delays due to staff changes at Berks Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (partner) and SPA designation. Chaucer Woods Pond and Landscape Enhancement 10.0 10.0 12.0 12.0 2.0 Complete Mar-08 Scheme complete
Horseshoe Lake Access Improvements 20.0 20.0 20.7 20.7 0.7 Complete Oct-07 Scheme complete Warfield Bridleways and Byway Surfacing Programme 20.0 9.6 9.6 9.6 10.4 Complete Dec-07 Scheme complete Sandhurst191 Footpath 2 Urban Path Surfacing 24.0 24.0 25.8 25.8 1.8 Complete Dec-07 Scheme complete Clintons Hill - Woodland Works 20.0 12.8 12.8 12.8 7.2 Complete Jul-08 Work in progress, due to seasonal nature of work will not be completed until summer 2008 Lily Hill Park Restoration Phase 3 409.7 287.4 287.4 287.4 122.3 Complete 2008/09 Scheme nearing completion, additional works delayed due to lead in time for steel orders. Binfield Boys Football Club 4.0 - - 4.0 Complete Mar-09 Project delayed pending site review Grant Bracknell Forest Natural History Society 3.0 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.9 Complete Dec-07 Lottery bid awarded, works in hand. South Hill Park - Grounds Restoration Project 28.0 - - 28.0 Complete 2009 Lottery bid now submitted, approval expected March 2008. Work will not therefore commence until 2008/09. Programme of Leisure S106 Schemes (Budget only) 183.9 - - 183.9 Complete Aug-08 Schemes currently being investigated, process of approvals and tendering of work means that not all schemes will be completed by March.
LEISURE EXTERNALLY FUNDED 895.5 394.0 397.7 397.7 501.5 3.7 891.8 Play Areas Rolling Programme 110.0 71.3 71.3 71.3 38.7 Complete Mar-08 Works mostly complete. Final invoice on hold whilst snagging issues are addressed Lottery Projects Funding 15.0 - - 15.0 Complete Mar-08 Ambarrow Court project nearly complete, remaining monies for future bids which will not now be completed by March due to length of the application process. Lily Hill Park Misc 17.9 - - 17.9 Complete Mar-08 Project delayed
OUTDOOR RECREATION 142.9 71.3 71.3 71.3 71.6 - Easthampstead Community Centre 125.5 125.5 125.6 125.6 0.1 Complete Jul-07 Scheme complete, final account to be agreed, retention to be paid in 2008/09 Community Centres Refurbishment 55.3 28.7 28.7 28.7 26.6 Complete Mar-08 Work in progress COMMUNITY FACILITIES 180.8 154.2 154.3 154.3 26.6 0.1 South Hill Park -Health & Safety 4.6 1.4 1.4 1.4 3.2 Complete Mar-08 Works are in hand South Hill Park -Minor Improvement Works 27.7 23.1 23.1 23.1 4.6 Complete Mar-08 Works are in hand MINOR WORKS 32.3 24.5 24.5 24.5 7.8 0.0
TOTAL CULTURAL & VISUAL ENVIRONMENT 1,501.5 750.5 754.3 754.3 751.0 3.8
Percentages 50.3% 50.0% Annexe C
ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE CAPITAL MONITORING 2007/08 As at 31 March 2008
Scheme Total Cash Expenditure Estimated Total Cash (Under)/Over Key Current status Budget Budget to date Funding Budget Spend target of the project Required for the For 2007/08 2007/08 Year 2008/09 for 31 March Target for 2008 Completion £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s GIS upgrade 33.4 21.1 21.1 21.1 12.3 Complete Apr-08 Corporate GIS Strategy was deferred to ICT steering group in April. Data capture work continuing. IT Applications - Replacement Programme 45.0 22.0 22.0 22.0 23.0 Complete Apr-08 Before a decision can be takenabout linking IDOX to M3 further research is required to understand the pros and cons as it is a complex solution. Replacement of MVM Monitor & Contractor 18.4 14.4 14.4 14.4 4.0 Complete Apr-08 Consultancy day was cancelled by supplier. Further consultancy days will be required in 2008/09 Replacement of Treebase - IT 35.0 35.0 35.7 35.7 0.7 Complete Apr-08 Scheme complete
TOTAL OTHER SCHEMES 131.8 92.5 93.2 93.2 39.3 0.7
TOTAL SUPPORT SERVICES 131.8 92.5 93.2 93.2 39.3 0.7 192 CAPITAL BUDGET YEAR Annexe D 2007 - 2008 Social Services Capital Monitoring As at 31st March 2008
Estimated (Under)/ Total Over Spend Approved Cash Funding Cash against Budget for Budget Required for Budget approved the year 2007/08 Expenditure to the year 2008/09 budget Current status of the project Cost Centre Description (£'000) (£'000) date (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) Key Target for 31 March including changes to Cash Profile DFG Excess Payments 2.9 2.9 0.0 0.0 2.9 - Communities Against Drugs 36.6 36.6 36.6 36.6 0.0 - Complete Health & Safety/Fire Precautions 81.0 81.0 141.3 141.3 -60.3 - All works complete complete - overspend covered by YH133 Community Health Service Reprovision 202.0 202.0 82.9 82.9 119.1 - All works complete Rolling programme complete Choice Based Lettings - Policy 90.0 8.9 81.1 Manager being recruited - Consultation in 90.0 8.9 - September Single Assessment Process 162.9 48.6 114.3 SAP process in place & staff Trg scheduled for Jan rollout. Review of Adults 162.9 48.6 - using system - double entry system for CAFA solution Improving the Care Home Environment 90.0 90.0 83.6 83.6 6.4 - Improving the Care Home Env. For older people 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - Social Service general 665.4 665.4 401.9 401.9 263.5 - SS&Hsg Departmental ICT Equipment Replacement 18.6 18.6 10.6 10.6 8.0 - Project completed Currently on schedule 193 Social Services IT Replacement Programme 175.0 33.0 142.0 Review of Anite systems req'd. Preparation for Billing module implentation April 08 Res/Nur billing implemented and systems review for replacement Adults system 175.0 33.0 - Improving Information for Social Care (Capital Gr) 116.6 54.5 62.1 Plan approved for 2006/7 & Action plan in progress. 116.6 54.5 - 2007/8 spend Electronic Social Care Record 130.6 19.2 111.4 Back scanning 90% completed CTPLD scanning will commence April 08. Review of ESCR solution as part of the replacement Adults system & corporate DMS solution 130.6 19.2 - Choice Based Lettings - IT 60.0 0.0 60.0 Systems specification ready for Systems scoping requirements in draft. Systems 60.0 0.0 - approval procurement in 08/09 New Housing Management System 86.2 86.2 0.0 0.0 86.2 - On Hold Replacement for Housing Needs under review IT 587.0 587.0 117.3 117.3 469.7 - Communal Aerials 1.3 1.3 0.0 0.0 1.3 - Support to RSL 0.0 0.0 35.0 35.0 0.0 35.0 Other Schemes (General Fund) 1.3 1.3 35.0 35.0 1.3 35.0 Disabled Facilities Grant 363.6 363.6 460.4 460.4 -96.8 - Renovation Grants 363.6 363.6 460.4 460.4 -96.8 0.0
TOTAL CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1,617.3 1,617.3 1,014.6 1,014.6 637.7 35.0
Percentages 63% 63% 2% CAPITAL BUDGET YEAR Annexe D 2007 - 2008 Housing Improvement Programme Capital Monitoring As at 29th March 2008
Estimated (Under)/ Total Over Spend Approved Cash Funding Cash against budget for Budget Required for Budget approved the year 07/08 Expenditure to the year 08/09 budget Current status of the project Cost Centre Description (£'000) (£'000) date (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) Key Target for 31 March including changes to Cash Profile Window Replacement 1500.0 1500.0 1602.0 1602.0 0 102.0 All works complete On site-Will be fully spent Heating Installations 1134.2 1134.2 1500.3 1500.3 0 366.1 All works complete On site Cavity Wall Insulation 69.9 69.9 37.2 37.2 0 (32.7) On site Improvements to Common Boilers 61.0 61.0 113.6 113.6 0 52.6 All works complete On Site - August Re-wires 300.0 300.0 53.6 53.6 0 (246.4) All work complete Surveys Complete Heating & Insulation 3065.1 3065.1 3306.7 3306.7 0.0 241.6 Improvements to Communal Areas at Flats 20.0 20.0 20.5 20.5 0 0.5 All works complete Rolling programme Garage Areas 25.0 25.0 27.3 27.3 0 2.3 All works complete Rolling programme Lift Replacements 153.0 153.0 50.7 50.7 0 (102.3) All works complete Tenders Out Unfit Properties 200.0 200.0 200.6 200.6 0 0.6 All works complete On Site Decent Homes 350.0 350.0 374.9 374.9 0 24.9 All work complete Rolling programme Door Replacements 175.0 175.0 13.8 13.8 0 (161.2) Improvement Programme 923.0 923.0 687.8 687.8 0.0 -235.2
Safety194 & Security 44.0 44.0 11.3 11.3 0 (32.7) All works complete Rolling programme Security Improvements 44.0 44.0 11.3 11.3 0.0 (32.7) Structural Work 800.0 800.0 784.4 784.4 0 (15.6) All works complete Rolling programme Misc Remedial Works 98.0 98.0 84.5 84.5 0 (13.5) All works complete Rolling programme Underpinning 260.0 260.0 223.0 223.0 0 (37.0) All works complete In progress-Will be fully spent Capitalised Repairs 1158.0 1158.0 1091.9 1091.9 0.0 (66.1) Aids & Adaptations 235.4 235.4 295.5 295.5 91 151.1 All works complete Demand led programme Landlord Services 40.0 40.0 34.2 34.2 0 (5.8) All works complete Rolling programme Housing ITC 87.5 87.5 0.0 0.0 0 (87.5) Health & Safety (HIP) 100.0 100.0 74.4 74.4 0 (25.6) Rolling programme Other Schemes (HIP) 462.9 462.9 404.1 404.1 91.0 32.2
TOTAL CAPITAL PROGRAMME 5,653.0 5,653.0 5,501.8 5,501.8 91.0 (60.2)
Percentages 97% 97%- 0.0 Annexe E
Schemes carried forward from 2006/07 to be carried forward to 2008/09 not yet contractually committed
Carry forward to Scheme 2008/09 Comments on delay £'000 FIMS 7.3 Linked to further developments of Agresso during 2008/09 Water Hygiene 14.4 Scheme in progress School meal Kitchens 7.7 Rolling programme of works Minor Works 5.9 Scheme in progress Education ICT 15.5 Options being considered
IT Application - development Control 20.8 Order about to be placed to transfer information currently in microfiche onto electronic records Recycling 22 Blue bins will be ordered in Summer when MRF is completed Minor Works - Look Out 5 Awaiting planning permission
*195 Purchase of Land - Hayley Green Woods 20 Project delayed as dependent on outcome of negotiations with several land owners * Binfield boys club 4 Project delayed pending site review Ambarrow Court project nearly complete, remaining monies for future bids which will not now be Lottery Projects Funding 15 completed by March 2008 due to length of application process. Lily Hill Park Misc 17.9 Work delayed DFG excess payments 2.9 Scheme approvals being sought Communal Aerials 1.3 Awaiting scheme
TOTAL 159.7
* Section 106 funded scheme This page is intentionally left blank
196 Agenda Item 12
TO: THE EXECUTIVE 24 JUNE 2008
CORPORATE PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW REPORT (Chief Executive)
1 PURPOSE OF DECISION
1.1 To inform the Executive of the performance of the Council over the fourth quarter of 2007/08 (January - March 2008).
2 RECOMMENDATION
2.1 To note the performance of the Council over the period from January to March 2008 highlighted in the Overview Report in Annex A.
3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 To brief the Executive on the Council’s performance, highlighting key areas, so that appropriate action can be taken if needed.
4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
4.1 None applicable.
5 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Performance Management
5.1 The Council’s performance management arrangements require the preparation of quarterly Performance Monitoring Reports (PMRs) by each department. These PMRs provide an update of progress and performance against departmental Service Plans.
Performance Monitoring Reports
5.2 Executive Portfolio Holders will have received the fourth quarter PMRs for their areas of responsibility in May. PMRs are also distributed to all Members, and will be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Scrutiny Panels. This process enables all Members to be involved in performance management.
Corporate Performance Overview Report
5.3 Information from the PMRs facilitates the production of a ‘Corporate Performance Overview Report’ (CPOR). This report brings together the progress and performance of the Council as a whole, enabling the Corporate Management Team and the Executive to review performance, highlight any exceptions, and note any remedial actions that may be necessary, either from under-performing or over-performing services, across the range of Council activities.
197 5.4 The CPOR for the fourth quarter (January-March) 2008 is shown in Annex A.
6 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor
6.1 There are no specific legal issues arising from this report.
Borough Finance Officer
6.2 There are no direct financial implications arising from this report.
Access Implications
6.3 There are no access implications arising directly from this report.
7 CONSULTATION
7.1 Not applicable.
Background Papers
PMR – Education, Children’s Services & Libraries Department – Quarter 4, 2007/08 PMR – Social Services & Housing Department – Quarter 4, 2007/08 PMR – Environment & Leisure Department – Quarter 4, 2007/08 PMR – Corporate Services & Resources Department – Quarter 4, 2007/08 PMR – Chief Executive’s Office – Quarter 4, 2007/08
Contact for further information
Timothy Wheadon, Chief Executive: (01344) 345609 [email protected]
Victor Nicholls, Assistant Chief Executive, (01344) 355604 [email protected]
David Clifford, Policy Officer (01344) 352174 [email protected]
Document Reference
H:\Performance_And_Improvement\Performance Management\2007-08\Corporate Performance Overview Report\4thQuarter\Executive Covering Report.doc
198
199 Corporate Performance Overview Report
4th Quarter: January-March 2007/08
Timothy Wheadon Chief Executive
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 Overview of Council Performance
1 Introduction
1.1 This report sets out an overview of the Council’s performance for the period January-March 2008. It complements the detailed quarterly Performance Monitoring Reports for the period produced by each Director, which were circulated to Members in May. The purpose of this overview is to provide the Executive with a high-level summary of key achievements, and to highlight areas where performance is not matching targets or expectations, along with any remedial action that is being taken to address this.
2 Overview of Performance
2.1 The Departmental Service Plans for 2007/08 contain 344 detailed actions to be completed in support of the 12 interim Corporate Themes which were agreed by the Executive in March last year. The five quarterly Performance Monitoring Reports show that 317
200 (92%) of these actions were achieved by year end, whilst 27 (8%) are still outstanding. Annex A contains the complete list of actions, giving details of remedial action being undertaken with regard to those which have not been achieved.
2.2 A significant part of the Council’s work relates to day-to-day service provision which is not specifically covered by priority actions in Service Plans. However, performance against targets for day-to-day services is also important, and is covered in Annex B of this report. This shows that out of a total of 146 performance indicators, there are only 50 where data is not yet available at the end of the 4th quarter.
Of the 128 indicators where data is available:
79 no. (62%) have already achieved the target or are anticipated to achieve it; and
49 no. (38%) have not achieved the target or are not anticipated to achieve it.
2.3 This overall progress maintains a consistent trend, as the anticipated outturns last quarter were 68% “green” and 32% “red”.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 3 Progress against Key Objectives
3.1 Overall the final quarter of 2007/08 saw good progress towards achieving the Council’s priorities, rounding off an extremely successful year which culminated in the CPA ‘Four Stars, Improving Strongly’ rating. Several departments reported previously “red” actions changing to “green” this quarter, with actions which had not been on target last quarter nonetheless being completed on schedule by year end. The following paragraphs highlight some areas of note.
Corporate Theme 1: Promoting the sustainable development of Bracknell Forest
3.2 Work on the Town Centre regeneration progressed well this quarter, with no call-in by the Secretary of State of the revised planning application and no High Court challenge to the grant of permission. Stage D (Design Development) of the Civic Hub project is now almost complete. The Council worked closely with its development partners, BRP, to present evidence to the town centre regeneration Compulsory Purchase Order public inquiry in February. No objectors appeared to give evidence against the Council, and the Government's response is due by the Summer. The current economic climate is being analysed, especially in terms of the potential
201 impact on the development programme. Officers are keeping in close contact with BRP and will keep the situation under review.
Corporate Theme 2: Promoting sustainable communities through housing strategies and maintenance policies
3.3 The entirety of the Council’s housing stock was successfully transferred to Bracknell Forest Homes in February, an achievement which will have a positive impact on the Counci’s budget for 2008/09 and beyond. Progress on a number of other housing objectives slipped because of the pressure to deliver the stock transfer, but these have now been reprogrammed, and a new Chief Housing Officer has been appointed. Consultation took place during the quarter with stakeholders including private-sector landlords on the new Local Housing Allowance, which will be paid to new benefit claimants in private-sector rented accommodation from April. More generally, the Benefits Service completed its year-end process successfully notwithstanding complications arising from the transfer of Council housing stock last quarter. Members were given an update on the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) and associated viability study, key components of the Local Development Framework.
Corporate Theme 3: Help create a stronger community which is socially cohesive
3.4 Fourth quarter figures show that overall BCS crime within the Borough fell by a remarkable 20.4% in 2007/08, contributing to a three-year reduction of 12.5%. The 2007/08 result for Bracknell Forest represents the biggest reduction of crime in the Thames Valley force area. The ‘Fear of Crime’ survey was completed during the quarter, with the results anticipated in June, and it has been agreed that the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership’s real-time data on anti-social behaviour within the Borough will be made available to
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 the public via the Council website. The Community Cohesion Strategy (‘All of Us’) and the new Voluntary Sector Compact were finalised during the quarter and are due for Executive approval in May. The Council’s Race and Gender Equality Schemes were finalised and published internally, and work has progressed on the Equality Standard Action Plan with the aim of achieving Level 3 by March 2009 (BVPI 2a).
Corporate Theme 4: Increase participation in and enjoyment of, art, culture, sport and recreation
3.5 During the quarter the Council was notified of the successful outcome of its bid to secure Lottery grant funding for renovation of the grounds at South Hill Park: the £2.5m award will assist with the Council’s ambitious plans for the site, which including extensive remedial works to trees, stonework and the southern lake, the creation of new gardens and a network of access pathways from neighbouring residential areas, and the provision of improved visitor information.
Corporate Theme 5: Protect and improve public health in the Borough
3.6 Work under this theme has progressed well this quarter, and Bracknell Forest is now the leading authority in the country on reducing teenage pregnancies. The number of schools achieving the new Healthy Schools Standard was slightly below target, but the progress 202 made nonetheless places the Borough in a good position compared to other authorities. Interim host arrangements were made with regard to the Council’s new responsibility under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act to establish a Local Involvement Network (LINk), which will replace Patients Forums under the Act. The interim host is Evolve (formerly Oxford and Area Consortium for Patient and Public Involvement in Health), and tendering processes are underway to secure a permanent host by September 2008.
Corporate Theme 6: Improve outcomes for children and young people
3.7 Publication in February of the Ofsted report of the Joint Area Review was confirmation of the success of children’s services within the Borough, with an overall grade of 3 out of 4 (Good). Meanwhile, Whitegrove Primary School was judged by Ofsted to be ‘Outstanding’ – the third BFBC school to achieve this grade. Preparations for the transition from the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership to a Children’s Trust were completed by the Partnership for approval by the Council Executive. The capital programme, which includes major projects at Garth Hill School, on the Brakenhale School site and in Jennett’s Park, has continued in line with the project plans, with considerable effort going in to ensuring that the projects remain affordable. In addition, the basic restructuring to bring adults’ and children’s services together was completed, but work will continue throughout 2008 to embed the changes more fully.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 Corporate Theme 7: Increase participation in adult learning
3.8 Work is progressing well in this area. The Adult Learning Plan continues to offer planned opportunities for learning, subject to limitations of the Learning and Skills Council’s grant funding.
Corporate Theme 8: Improve services for vulnerable adults and older people
3.9 Work under this Corporate Theme progressed well during the quarter. The timetable for approving commissioning strategies was met, with the Executive approving Mental Health and Learning Disabilities strategies in February and a strategy for People with Long-Term Conditions in March. Work also began to develop an approach to commissioning substance misuse services across East Berkshire, with the establishment of a commissioning group chaired by the Chief Officer – Adult Social Care.
Corporate Theme 9: Create and maintain a quality environment
203 3.10 The Council slightly exceeded its year-end target of 26% of household waste recycled, and although low composting rates during the bad weather in Quarter 4 meant that the 14% target for composting was narrowly missed, a total of 40% of household waste in the Borough was either recylced or composted. A good deal of work was put in to raising public awareness of the temporary closure of the Longshot Lane waste disposal and recycling facility for refurbishment, which is now underway. Additional monies made available by the Council have been allocated to improved cleaning and maintenance of verges on high-speed roads, deep cleansing neighbourhood centres every quarter, more frequent deployment of the chewing gum machine, attending to subways, and improved grounds maintenance.
Corporate Theme 10: Improve transport and movement in and around the Borough
3.11 Progress under this Corporate Theme was mixed in the final quarter of 2007/08. The Integrated Transport Team and the Smartcard Team worked extremely hard to produce 8,000 new smartcards for the National Concessionary Fares Scheme, and Bracknell Forest will now have the most advanced multi-application smartcard in operation anywhere in the country. Much surveying work has been undertaken to provide raw data for the Highway Asset Management and Highway Network Management Plans, but resource pressures have prevented the final completion and publication of these documents. The 2007/08 target of a 10% reduction in the number of journeys to school made by car has not been met, but the 3% reduction achieved at least represents a good basis on which to build in 2008/09. A review of the Borough's performance on minimising road traffic casualties has been undertaken jointly by a working group of the former Environment and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel and a representative of the Thames Valley Police. The report of the review will be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission in early June.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 Corporate Theme 11: Improve efficiency, effectiveness and access to services
3.12 In addition to securing approval of the Council’s budget proposals for 2008/09, new banking and insurance contracts were finalised during the quarter, and detailed work on the financial arrangements for the transfer of the Council’s housing stock was completed, including the implementation of a new payroll service for Bracknell Forest Homes. A new Customer Contact Strategy was published internally, and improvements were made to the online payments software. At year end, over 97.5% of council tax and 99.5% of business rates had been collected, compared with 97.4% and 99.7% respectively at the same time last year. Eighty per cent of council tax was paid by direct debit.
Corporate Theme 12: Improve Corporate Governance and Partnership Working
3.13 A draft refresh of the Sustainable Community Strategy was published for consultation during the quarter, and a draft of the Local Area Agreement (LAA) was submitted to GOSE, negotiations on which are still ongoing. Proposals were also formulated for the restructuring of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function to align it with the restructured Council departments, and progress was made with the ongoing work of the Council’s 15 Overview and Scrutiny working groups.
204 4 Performance against Actions and Indicators, Corporate Health, Budgets and Bracknell Forest Partnership Performance
4.1 Detailed performance against targets is set out at Annex B. Information on Corporate Health is set out at Annex C. Budget information is set out at Annex D. Work achieved by the Bracknell Forest Partnership is set out at Annex E.
5 Conclusion
4.1 Overall, performance against targets during the final quarter of 2007/08 was very good, with a number of key milestones being met. The progress achieved during the quarter has contributed to an extremely successful year for Bracknell Forest Borough Council, in which our solid performance was awarded national recognition in the CPA ‘Four Stars, Improving Strongly’ rating.
Timothy Wheadon Chief Executive June 2008
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 ANNEX A COUNCIL PERFORMANCE AGAINST KEY ACTIONS
Corporate Theme 1: Promote the sustainable development of Bracknell Forest
Key Actions/Outcomes:
1.1 Lead the regeneration of Bracknell Forest Town Centre 1.2 Deliver the annual programme set out in the Local Development Scheme. 1.3 Publish and commence a five year programme to develop master-plans for neighbourhood centres in the former New Town areas of Bracknell Forest Borough Council. 1.4 Work with partners to ensure that all new developments contain a mix of housing in accordance with the Council’s policies that supports long term sustainability. 1.5 Deliver the Council’s LAA agreement commitment to support economic development and enterprise.
Draft and consult on internal regeneration strategy, based on Town Centre workstreams. Approve and agree detailed design for Civic Hub.
Support relocation of Town Centre users displaced by regeneration plans.
Support development of third party sites.
Ensure Members and Scrutiny Function are involved in the development of the
Town Centre. Co-ordinate and implement communication strategies for the Town
Centre regeneration, including the vitality of the town before regeneration, internal communications and the Council’s element of the project e.g. Civic Hub. Draft Town Centre Management Strategy, including keeping Bracknell Town Centre alive during the redevelopment, ready for consultation. Develop with BFP a clear statement for carbon reduction in the Town Centre.
Finalise design and layout of library.
Adopt a Core Strategy which sets the spatial vision and policies for the Borough, outlining potential uses for all sites within the settlement area.. Prepare issues and options for the Amen Corner Area Action Plan DPD.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 205 Prepare issues and options for development management policies covering housing and commercial uses and sites. Compile list of economic development activity already occurring, and subsequently consider launching an Economic Partnership. Finalise plans for cultural facilities in the new Civic Hub.
Commence the statutory processes to implement the outline planning permission and other consents. Complete the Sustainable Resource Management Supplementary Planning
Document. Apply new policies in relation to car parking.
Apply new policies in relation to limiting the impact of development.
Apply new policies in relation to the Thames Basin Health Special Protection
Area. Publish a five year programme of master- This has not been undertaken due to plans for neighbourhood centres in the workload and delayed pending housing former New Town areas of Bracknell stock transfer to provide funds to Forest Borough Council. complete works.
Commence work outlined in the five year This has not been undertaken due to master-plans for neighbourhood centres in workload and delayed pending housing the former New Town areas of Bracknell stock transfer to provide funds to Forest Borough Council. complete works.
Work with partners to ensure that all new developments contain a mix of housing in accordance with the Council’s policies, to support long term sustainability. Contribute to the delivery of the Council’s LAA commitment to support economic development and enterprise. Co-ordinate and implement communication strategies for the Town
Centre regeneration, including the vitality of the town before regeneration, internal communications, and the Council’s element of the project e.g. Civic Hub. Assess the opportunities for capital investment in youth facilities.
Contribute to the development of enhanced community initiatives.
Work with Strategic Housing Partnership Timetable for this work has been to develop prioritised affordable housing revised to allow for further consultation. projects based on Housing Market Consultation draft now due July 2008.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 206 Assessment and revised Housing Strategy. In consultation with the Housing Strategic This work will follow on from the Partnership and Bracknell Forest Homes, completion of the Housing Strategy. develop a five-year programme to deliver Autumn 2008. affordable housing through use of 75% of housing transfer capital receipt. Progress designs for Civic Hub to Stage E.
Develop and implement a Procurement Strategy for the Civic Hub Project.
Work with colleagues to complete workstreams and meet project deadlines for provision of new Civic Hub and provide all necessary support, advice and guidance. Finalise plans for the new democratic offer/suite in the Civic Hub, following consultation with Members. Complete delegated workstream reports and offer advice and guidance on customer service delivery in the new civic offices. Develop plans for the necessary adaptations to Time Square.
Secure a confirmed Compulsory Purchase acquisition (CPO).
Facilities Management to lead on development of plan to move to new Civic Hub in 2009, in liaison with other departments and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP). Ensure accurate headcount figures are in place to facilitate effective space planning. Review policies around flexible working to ensure they support the technological requirements. Construct business plans to support cultural change workstream activities.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 207
Corporate Theme 2: Promote sustainable communities through innovative housing strategies and effective maintenance policies
Key Actions/Outcomes:
2.1 Implement the outcome of the housing stock options ballot of Council tenants. 2.2 Develop choice-based lettings for social housing in partnership with partner housing associations. 2.3 Increase the number of Council homes that meet the Decent Homes Standard. 2.4 Increase the number of affordable homes built in the Borough in accordance with the Local Area Agreement. 2.5 Update the Council’s Housing Strategy and submit it to the Government Office for the South East. 2.6 Implement the Housing Act 2004 in relation to all houses let in multiple occupation. 2.7 Implement a programme to ensure 70% of private sector housing occupied by vulnerable people meets the Decent Homes Standard by 2010.
Develop and implement internal and external communications plan for housing stock transfer. If a yes vote, identify implications for the Landscape Team and prepare the team for transfer to the new organisation.
If a yes vote, identify the implications for highway Adoption and Management.
By implementing the Council’s planning policy seek to increase the number of affordable homes built in the borough in accordance with the Local Area Agreement. Establish a register of all houses let in multiple occupation in accordance with the Housing Act 2004. Licence all housing in multiple occupation Staff vacancies have impeded in accordance with the Housing Act 2004. progress, but in addition to this, common practice is that once the requirements are known, many landlords simply revert the homes back into single occupation rather than bring them up to standard. Implement a programme of inspection to Progress slow due to continued ensure 70% of private sector housing resource pressures. Standard to be occupied by vulnerable households meets dropped in 2008 as a national indicator. the Decent Homes Standard by 2010. Many homes are however being targeted for insulation works. Ensure Bracknell Forest Homes (BFH) is established and transfer of housing stock complete by 31 March 2008. Disaggregate the HRA budgets from the general fund budgets.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 208 Support managers to identify and plan any TUPE transfer of staff to the new housing association. Support the AD Sustainable Communities to prepare the IT systems for transfer to the new Housing Association. Separate the staff and resources in the Resources Division ready for transfer to the new Housing Association. Develop a CBL scheme for consultation Work on the CBL scheme is underway with BFH and other partners by March and the CBL Manager is in post. New 2008. outline policy to Executive in April 2008. Progress continues. An officer/Member steering group has been established. Timetable currently being revised. Implement the approved housing capital programme to increase the percentage of
Council Homes that meet the standard during 2007/08. Work with Strategic Housing Partnership Timetable for this work has been to develop prioritised affordable housing revised – now July 2008. projects based on Housing Market Assessment and revised Housing Strategy. In consultation with Housing Strategic This work will follow on from the Partnership and Bracknell Forest Homes, completion of the Housing Strategy develop a five-year programme to deliver now due July 2008. affordable housing through use of 75% of housing transfer capital receipt. Council to adopt Housing Strategy draft for The timetable for the delivery of the consultation. draft Housing Strategy has been changed to accommodate a major consultation event which took place in October. The new timetable for the housing strategy is therefore April 2008. Council to adopt revised Housing Strategy A Housing Strategy consultation event following consultation process. took place on 17 October 2007. The Strategy will be developed as per target. Consultation draft now due July 2008. Agree stock valuation with Bracknell Forest Homes.
Prepare all required plans for transfer and instruct Environmental
Surveyors if required. Prepare transfer contract.
Submit to DCLG for consent to transfer.
Complete stock transfer.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 209 Enter into Transfer Agreement and complete conveyancing.
Disaggregate housing functions from the rest of the Council.
Provide financial support to the LSVT post ballot project.
Complete staffing transfer and disaggregation of policy procedures and all staffing matters. Advise on the impact of the transfer on residual staff and structures in the
Strategic Housing function. Consider the future requirements for payment processing and the role of the Cash Office. Produce a timetable for transferring customer enquiries relating to tenants’ repairs to the new Housing Association.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 210
Corporate Theme 3: Help create a safer, stronger community which is socially cohesive
Key Actions/Outcomes:
3.1 Work with partners to reduce the incidence of British Crime Survey crime within the Borough. 3.2 Seek to reduce the fear of crime in the Borough. 3.3 Work with the Bracknell Forest Partnership to update the Council’s Community Cohesion Strategy to cover the period 2007-2010. 3.4 Improve community cohesion through culture and sport in accordance with the targets set out in the Local Area Agreement (three-year target). 3.5 Increase the level of community engagement and volunteering activities in the Borough in accordance with the targets set out in the Local Area Agreement. 3.6 Deliver the commitments in the Children and Young People’s Plan for children and young people’s safety. 3.7 Implement the Youth Justice Plan. 3.8 Support partners in targeted speed reduction campaigns. 3.9 Implement the electronic proof-of-age scheme through e+. 3.10 Develop licensing and related policies which support cohesive communities. 3.11 Improve safety and the sense of security in Bracknell Town Centre.
Restructure the Safer Community Team.
Ensure that Community Safety issues are addressed in the Town Centre regeneration, through the production of a strategy. Implement and review the Safer Communities Strategy (CPA).
Support the development of Neighbourhood Policing arrangements including the use of Police Community Support Officers for reassurance patrolling (Community Plan). Undertake at least three initiatives each year with Crimestoppers (Community
Plan). Encourage crime deterrent schemes in public car parks such as car valeting and security guards to reduce car crime (Community Plan). Work with Bracknell Chamber of Commerce to protect business staff from violence (Community Plan). Use preventative and rehabilitative initiatives to reduce offending by Prolific and other Priority Offenders. (Community Plan). Work with partners to reduce vehicle crime and provide diversionary activities.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 211 Implement the Domestic Violence Strategy 10 of the 11 indicators of the BVPI have to comply with BVPI 225. been complied with. The strict wording required in the tenancy agreement for Bracknell Forest Homes does not meet exactly with the requirement in measure 9 of the BVPI. Contribute to the development of the Corporate Community Cohesion Strategy.
Reduce the number of school governor vacancies to 9% of the total by end of
March 2008, by: • persuading and encouraging the promotion of governance by governing bodies; • presence at events and targeted locations (eg Libraries); • ensuring better use of free opportunities available to the Council; • more active participation with the School Governors One Stop Shop; • contact with voluntary and placement organisations; • enhanced information collection and better analytical use of service information already collected; • engaging directly with under- represented social and ethnic groups; • more targeted advertising and enhanced promotional materials. The CYPP details the priorities identified to safeguard children and young people in
Bracknell Forest. The Youth Justice Plan details the actions identified to reduce the offending of children and young people in Bracknell Forest. Produce plan to secure delivery of LAA target on volunteering and engagement, specifically: • Special Constables and school governors; • Informal volunteering rates; • Helping residents to influence decisions. In collaboration with the Youth Service and BRP, identify options for youth provision and inclusion in the Town Centre. Provide opportunities to participate in a wide range of arts and leisure services to help reduce crime in the Borough through purposeful diversion. Provide comments on the draft Community Cohesion Strategy.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 212 Implement and maintain work that will improve community cohesion through culture and sport, working towards the targets set out in the LPSA/Local Area Agreement which will be next measured in the 2009 residents survey.
Support partners in targeted speed reduction campaigns by introducing signage and designing traffic calming measures in areas with speed issues. Implement an electronic proof-of-age scheme by using the e+ card.
Adopt and implement the Council’s Gambling Policy.
Review and redraft the Council’s Licensing Policy.
Introduce an upgraded digital CCTV system to Charles Square Car Park.
Join the Park Mark safer parking scheme.
Through Park Mark undertake a full security assessment of the High Street
Car Park. Contribute to the development of the Council’s Community Cohesion Strategy, particularly inputting the views of those whose voices are seldom heard. We will aim to increase participation by those who are seldom heard by developing an ‘Expert by Experience’ project with a target of involving five users in the first year. Consult on the key areas of change to the Community Cohesion Strategy.
Publish revised Community Cohesion Strategy.
Evaluate Bracknell Forest’s progress against the revised Equality Standard.
Support the ACE with the delivery of: • BF1500 residents panels;
• Neighbourhood Action Groups and Forums run in conjunction with Thames Valley Police. Increase engagement in and awareness of democratic processes amongst members of the public, including young people through Local Democracy Week activities and neighbourhood forums.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 213
Corporate Theme 4: Increase participation in and enjoyment of art, culture, sport and recreation
Key Actions/Outcomes:
4.1 Develop a new Cultural Strategy covering 2008-2010. 4.2 Develop a new Parks and Open Space Strategy. 4.3 Continue to implement the Council’s Heritage Strategy, focussing on historic landscapes, and in particular: • establish an enhanced management regime for Lily Hill Park; and • create a Lottery bid for South Hill Park. 4.4 Improve access to Leisure facilities. 4.5 Increase the percentage of 5-16 year olds who spend at least two hours per week on high-quality PE and school sport to 85% by 2008. 4.6 Increase the percentage of adults participating in at least 30 minutes of moderate sport activity on three or more days per week (three-year target). 4.7 Increase further user satisfaction with library and information services.
Develop detailed response to PAYP programme.
Plan building of the trampoline centre at Brakenhale School.
Increase participation in physical education through developing school-club links, leadership and volunteering opportunities, and competition. This is delivered through the School Sport Partnership Programme. Make extensive use of opportunities to publicise the services available in libraries.
Modernise the library service further by the Project delayed by agreement with the introduction of self-service facility. Executive Member. Awaiting possible move to new Library Management System and development of the new library in the Civic Hub. Build a new improved library in Bracknell.
Develop a Cultural Strategy through review and extension of the existing Strategy. Commence work on a Cultural Services Self-Improvement plan.
Complete the regional commentary for cultural services.
Establish and support a Public Arts Advisory Panel to ensure innovative and appropriate public art is delivered. Write a new Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 214 Establish an enhanced management regime for Lily Hill Park.
Create and submit a Lottery bid for South Hill Park.
Maintain and develop arrangements for vulnerable groups to access ‘mainstream’ leisure facilities. Increase membership of the ‘leisure saver’ scheme.
Maintain Charter Mark at three of the leisure facilities.
Maintain and promote services that will contribute towards increasing the percentage of adults participating in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical recreation per week. Increase number of LD support workers working in the leisure services to four to offer seven-day access within existing resources. Develop new ways of organising support, e.g. membership schemes, for people to access leisure. Increase use of Direct Payment to facilitate access to leisure facilities for mental health service users. Detailed accessibility survey to be carried out of all Council buildings.
Detailed programme of access work to be agreed by Community Cohesion Working Group and commented on by the Access Advisory Panel prior to programme commencement.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 215
Corporate Theme 5: Protect and improve public health in the Borough
Key Actions/Outcomes:
5.1 Develop an overarching Health Strategy for the Borough involving all Council departments and other partners, and in particular review options with the Berkshire East Primary Care Trust to increase provision of health facilities in the Borough. 5.2 Deliver the commitments in the Children and Young People’s Plan relating to the health of children and young people. 5.3 Work with the PCT to improve access to health centres. 5.4 Implement and enforce new provisions in relation to smoking in work or public spaces. 5.5 Introduce new ‘Catering for Health’ and ‘Safe Food’ awards. 5.6 Produce a public health report for the Borough.
Consult partners and deliver a Health and Well-being Strategy for the Borough.
Review options with the Berkshire East Primary Care Trust to increase provision of health facilities in the Borough. Contribute input from Overview and Scrutiny to the annual ‘Healthcheck’ declarations by the four NHS Trusts. Support Overview and Scrutiny Working Groups on:
• Healthcare Funding; • Patient Focus; • Health Strategy; and • Extended Schools / Children’s Centres. Support Health Scrutiny Members (both BFBC and Joint East Berkshire) in making an effective contribution to debate about and consultation on local health provision. To ensure all schools are engaged in the Healthy Schools Programme, the key priorities will be: • Continue link with local partners; • Continue to manage the Healthy Schools Programme; • Work with schools and support teachers. Work with members of the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership to deliver the commitments in the CYPP relating to the health of children and young people (Actions BH1-6). Promote healthy eating through the school meal service.
Contribute to the overall priorities of the Public Health Working Group (E&L lead).
Work with Education, Children’s Services & Libraries to encourage all schools to join in
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 216 the Healthy Schools Programme. Maintain the very high usage of leisure facilities.
Maintain the delivery of GP referrals to sports and fitness facilities.
In liaison with the PCT improve footpaths Awaiting consultation result from PCT. and cycleways and increase the number and frequency of bus routes passing health centres. Work with Corporate HR to develop a smoking policy in relation to BFBC workplaces. Write guidance for staff on enforcing smoking in public places, and publicise changes in the law. By working with local business and the PCT, implement the provisions of the smoking in public places legislation. By working with local business and the PCT, design and introduce a “Catering for Health” food award. By working with local business and the PCT, design and introduce a “Safe Food” award.
Working with the PCT, publish a comprehensive annual report on the state of public health within Bracknell Forest. Contribute to the work programme of the Berkshire East Joint Strategic
Commissioning Board and implement any joint commissioning proposals agreed by the Board. Revise the terms of reference of the Health and Social Care Partnership Board.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 217
Corporate Theme 6: Improve outcomes for children and young people
Key Actions/Outcomes:
6.1 Implement the actions included in the second year of the Children and Young People’s Plan. 6.2 Improve the life chances of looked after children by a) reducing the number of days of missed schooling, b) improving Key stage 2 and 3 results and c) increase percentage of children in out-of-school-hours learning. 6.3 Improve attendance and reduce exclusion at schools. 6.4 Work with partners to develop, promote and implement a Preventative Charter for all children and young people’s services. 6.5 Work with schools and other partners to ensure that 14 schools offer a full range of extended services and six Children’s Centres are established within the Borough. 6.6 Develop clear transition pathways for young people with physical or sensory disabilities as they reach adulthood. 6.7 Improve environmental management in schools: a) Increase the percentage of pupils in LA schools covered by a School Travel Plan; b) Increase recycling in schools; c) Improve energy management in schools. 6.8 Improve further the commissioning of children’s service and establish a children’s trust.
Deliver Actions EA 1-7, PC1-4, EW1-4, WT1 of the Children and Young People’s Plan
2006-2009. Implement actions arising from consultant’s report on exclusions.
Issue new guidance with regard to school attendance matters.
Implement the Preventative Charter and Self-Assessment Toolkit for children and young people’s services, reporting to the Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership. Work with schools and other partners to ensure that 14 schools offer a full range of extended services and six Children’s Centres are established within the Borough. Transition Policy developed and transition arrangements effective.
Promote recycling in schools through training and workshop events.
Improve and promote energy management in schools through training and workshop events. Work with the Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership to develop and establish a children’s trust model. Continue to review and improve the processes involved in the effective recruitment and retention of staff, both on the
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 218 frontline, including in schools, and across the Department. Project manage the construction of the new school at Garth Hill.
Lead the Department’s preparation for the APA/JAR assessment process.
Implement ICS software..
Implement ContactPoint.
Manage competition for development of a new school at Peacock Farm.
Complete the Portman Close Project.
Maintain the high number of attendances on junior teaching course offered through
Leisure. Maintain the high level of contacts through the Young People in Sport scheme delivered by Leisure. Increase the percentage of pupils in LA schools covered by a School Travel Plan.
Increase recycling in schools.
Improve energy management in schools.
Ensure all relevant staff receive training in the transitions pathway.
Review the function of the Transition Panel in preparation for 2008/09.
Finalise Transition Policy and Protocols.
Provide a building service to the Department of Education, Children’s Services & Libraries to meet their programme to develop schools and children’s centres. Prepare and circulate School Energy and Environmental Plans and provide advice on these areas when required.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 219
Corporate Theme 7: Increase participation in adult learning
Key Actions/Outcomes:
7.1 Develop an Adult Learning Plan. 7.2 Meet the targets set out in Local Area Agreement to meet the learning and training requirements for the Town Centre regeneration through the SEEDA-funded ‘Grow Your Own’ Project. 7.3 Increase the number of lowest-skilled, non-employed and under-employed adults to access learning, training and employability skills.
Negotiate and produce a Development Plan for Adult Learning as a basis for grant funding from the Learning and Skills Council (Thames Valley) for the academic year 2007/08. Prepare an Adult Learning Plan for Executive approval covering the academic year
2007/08. Work through the ‘Grow Our Own’ project team to establish pilot activity in Bracknell
Forest to support regeneration. Plan and implement programmes of adult learning which target and support those with low skills seeking improved employment opportunities. Complete the development of the Brakenhale Open Learning Centre.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 220
Corporate Theme 8: Improve services for vulnerable adults and older people
Key Actions/Outcomes:
8.1 Implement self-directed support for adults with learning difficulties. 8.3 Implement the Commissioning Strategy for Older People in conjunction with the East Berkshire PCT. 8.4 Agree timescales for developing Commissioning Strategies for all client groups. 8.5 Modernise services for people with a learning disability. 8.6 Increase the number of people with a physical disability being helped to live at home. 8.7 Improve adult protection procedures and awareness with all partners. 8.8 Implement the action plan for the Supporting People Strategy in consultation with the Audit Commission. 8.9 Increase the take-up of direct payments for all client groups. 8.10 Help older people with dementia to remain longer in the community rather than long-term institutional-type care. 8.11 Increase the number of older people being helped to live at home. 8.12 Deliver a single assessment framework for older people. 8.13 Agree the strategic framework for services for older people with mental health needs in partnership with PCT and Berkshire Health Care Trust. 8.14 Provide cultural development opportunities for adults through a) the Home Library Service and b) the activities of reading groups in residential homes. 8.15 Work with partners across the South East to implement a National Intelligence Model in respect of trading standards enforcement. 8.16 Finalise and begin implementation of a comprehensive Council-wide strategy for older people.
Deliver a Home Library Service to 37 residential (nursing and care) homes and day centres in the Borough. Deliver library materials to individuals confined to their own homes in the Borough. Organise reading groups in at least two residential homes in the Borough.
Organise reminiscence sessions for older people in at least four libraries in the
Borough. Work with partners across the South East to implement a National Intelligence Model in respect of trading standards enforcement. Prepare a draft Older People’s Strategy. Original timetable will not be met due to competing pressures and loss of staff. Work has progressed, but the production of a draft Strategy has been delayed due to staff shortages. Subject to recruitment, draft Strategy to be published in the Autumn. Discussion paper approved by Executive in December 2007, and stakeholder consultation complete.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 221 Complete the information/training programme for staff, service users and carers. Develop flexible ways of accessing Personal Budgets (e.g. e-cards, Individual Service Funds, Brokerage, etc). Develop a Purchasing Plan to underpin the Older People Commissioning Strategy.
Develop needs analysis for all client groups to inform the commissioning strategies.
Develop draft commissioning strategies for consultation for all client groups.
Develop Purchasing Plans for all client The strategies are in draft and they have groups. to be consulted on until December and then be agreed by the Executive in February and March. The Purchasing Plans come after the strategies. Revised target is June 2008. Review the Health and Social Care Partnership Board terms of reference, giving consideration to the emerging East Berkshire Partnership structure. Appoint an Assistant Care Manager – Assistive Technology.
Reduce waiting times for OT Assessments for DFG.
Raise the profile of adult protection through specific events including the Adult
Protection Forum. Revise the training programme for adult protection to reflect the Safeguarding
Adults Policy. Extend the options for e-cards.
Ensure current Domiciliary Care Service users can use direct payments to retain current provider if possible. Develop a new expanded Home Care Dementia Team within existing resources.
Develop a care pathway for older people A decision was taken that the care mental health including a single point of pathway needed to be developed with the contact. joint Community Mental Health Team for Old Age (CMHTE) Manager in post and when a definitive date for relocation of the CMHTE had been established. This has now been achieved and the care pathway is being led by the new manager, who was only recently appointed. Therefore the objective completion date has been revised from October 2007 and was completed by November 2007. Relocation of CMHTE has now taken
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 222 place. There is now a single point of access at the new base and therefore a new care pathway with a single point of contact. Referrals are all recorded on a single database. Develop an action plan following review of the Older Peoples’ Mental Health Strategy.
Support corporate work in the development Delay in the production of a Strategy due of a Strategy for Older People. to loss of staff in the Chief Executive’s Office. Draft Strategy to be published in the Autumn. Support has been provided as required by Corporate Services. Participate in the training needs analysis for staff, and deliver the learning and development requirements.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 223
Corporate Theme 9: Create and maintain a quality environment
Key Actions/Outcomes:
9.1 Further improve the standards of open spaces and the visual environment within the Borough. 9.2 Improve waste management and recycling in the Borough. 9.3 Incorporate plans for Combined Heat and Power in the designs for the new Civic Hub. 9.4 Develop a climate change action plan to meet the Council’s obligations under the ‘Nottingham Declaration’. 9.6 Review the management plan and future investment need for the London Road ex-landfill site. 9.7 Work with external contractors, land owners and agencies to reduce the amount of fly-tipped rubbish in the Borough.
Revise RE3 Communications Strategy with Wokingham and Reading Councils.
Within resources available, design and implement projects to improve the standards of open spaces and the visual environment in the Borough. Assess the designation merits in respect of a new conservation area around Church Road, Crowthorne and a new conservation area around Monks Alley, Binfield.
Develop a joint waste strategy for RE3 with Wokingham and Reading Councils.
Increase recycling rates in the Borough to 40%.
Ensure plans for Combined Heat and Power are included in the designs for the new Civic Hub. Undertake an energy efficiency audit of the Council’s buildings.
Write and publish an Energy Strategy for the Borough.
Work with the Head of Property Services to generate and implement initiatives to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in Council buildings. Develop and implement a Bracknell Forest Climate Change Strategy by 2009.
Review the management plan and future Report on current position and future investment need for the London Road ex- investment requirements being prepared, landfill site, and submit a capital bid for the but no bids made in 2007/08. work. Work with external contractors, land owners and agencies to develop plans to reduce the amount of fly-tipped rubbish in
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 224 the Borough.
Energy Manager to assist consultants by providing information to enable brief to be developed. Corporate Property to work with Environment & Leisure to develop a climate change action plan by providing information on energy consumption and suggested measures for reduction.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 225
Corporate Theme 10: Improve transport and movement in and around the Borough
Key Actions/Outcomes:
10.1 Implement the first phase of the LTP2 programme. 10.2 Implement the Green Travel Plan for the Borough Council. 10.3 Work with the Government Office for the South East and neighbouring authorities to press for improvement in major junctions in and around the Borough. 10.4 Continue to support the Airtrack Forum to deliver a direct rail link to Heathrow Airport via Bracknell Forest. 10.5 Create the first phase of the Bracknell Forest traffic model. 10.6 Enter into a punctuality improvement partnership with First Bus. 10.7 Complete the first phase of the review of ‘A’ and ‘B’ class road speed limits. 10.8 Produce a Highway Asset Management Plan. 10.9 Produce a draft Highway Network Management Plan. 10.10 Introduce the National Concessionary Fares Scheme for Borough residents. 10.11 Increase the level of public transport uptake and satisfaction. 10.12 Reduce the percentage of journeys to school made by car.
Replace the Mill Lane Bridge.
Complete the planned programme of highway maintenance
Implement actions due in 2007/08 from the Awaiting approval to launch Travel Plan. Green Travel Plan.
Attend meetings with the Government Office for the South East and neighbouring authorities to press for improvement in major junctions in and around the borough. Attend meetings of the Airtrack Forum to lobby for a direct rail link to Heathrow
Airport via Bracknell Forest Borough Council. Write the first phase of the Bracknell Forest traffic model.
Write and have signed punctuality Agreement will shortly be ready for improvement agreement with First Bus. signature.
Complete the first phase of the review of ‘A’ and ‘B’ class road speed limits.
Write, consult on and have published a Much surveying work has been highway asset management plan. undertaken to provide raw data, but the Plan will not be complete for 2007/08. Write and put out for consultation a draft Much surveying work has been Highway Network Management Plan. undertaken to provide raw data, but the Plan will not be complete for 2007/08. Implement and administer the national concessionary fares scheme for borough residents.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 226 Increase number and frequency of bus and train routes in the Borough.
Reduce the percentage of journeys to 3% reduction in total number of children school made by car by 10%. travelling to school by car.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 227
Corporate Theme 11: Improve efficiency, effectiveness and access to services
Key Actions/Outcomes:
11.1 Review the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy in the light of the housing stock transfer ballot. 11.2 Increase efficiency through delivery of further procurement savings. 11.3 Implement the Council’s Risk Management Strategy and Business Continuity Plan. 11.4 Complete a review of the joint arrangements established between Berkshire UAs. 11.5 Implement a programme for the disposal of any surplus assets. 11.6 Develop and implement infrastructure and support services to deliver mobile and flexible working initiatives. 11.7 Implement the next phase of the Customer Contact Strategy and Stage 2 of the CRM frontline system development. 11.8 Develop, consult on and implement five-year ICT Strategy. 11.9 Administer the Borough/Parish Council elections in accordance with legislation including the Electoral Administration Act. 11.10 Implement the outcomes of the Council-wide efficiency review and the Support Services Review. 11.11 Improve access to the planning service. 11.12 Establish systems to support integration of work across Children’s Services and the sharing of information between professionals. 11.13 Implement the Workforce Strategy to (d) ensure all practitioners working with children and young people are appropriately qualified and trained and are able to access professional development to support their role. 11.14 Implement HR and finance self-service provisions for staff and managers. 11.15 Implement the Council’s Equality Schemes for Gender and Disability. 11.16 Review the Council’s Race Equality Scheme. 11.17 Address issues of community cohesion by working with partners to establish a BME forum and using forum to assess unmet needs.
Undertake Direction of Travel self-assessment N/A No self-assessment required. (CPA). Direction of Travel assessment now finalised as “Improving Strongly”. Manage annual CPA.
Undertake timely monitoring and assessment/comparison of performance information, highlighting changes in performance appropriately. Prepare and publish an Annual Report.
Act as a resource to the Council and its services to undertake research – with emphasis on future developments, new legislation and guidance. Investigate, specify and – subject to resources – implement a performance management system for the whole Council. Provide support and assistance and co-ordinate any Beacon Council applications.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 228 Seek out and participate in relevant performance benchmarking groups.
Refresh approach to QOR and CPOR reports (as part of this develop plans for a transition from performance monitoring to more of a performance management approach). Produce statement assessing the community cohesion and inclusion aspects of The Town Centre regeneration. Produce and implement annual departmental communications and marketing forward plans.
Produce Town & Country every quarter.
Answer media enquiries according to the Council’s media protocols.
Produce Forest Views staff newsletter every month.
Conduct staff attitude survey 2007.
Review internal communications strategy as a result of the staff survey.
Carry out internal and external communications campaigns according to the Council’s priorities. Implement the Council’s Risk Management Strategy and Business Continuity Plan.
Implement the outcomes of the Council-wide efficiency review and the Support Services Review. Shared Processes Group to manage the integrated services agenda (including e-CAF,
Information Sharing and IT), in delivering the actions under priority WT4 in the CYPP. Update recruitment practices in response to departmental requirements to attract appropriately skilled personnel to posts within the children’s workforce. Provide advice and support on professional development opportunities for school staff and workforce remodelling practices. Implement the Council’s Equality schemes for Gender and Disability.
Contribute to the review of the Council’s Race Equality Scheme.
To ensure safe recruitment practice is maintained a system of recording the pre- employment checks will be made operational across the children’s workforce. Continue to lead the Department in its search for financial efficiency without risking the quality of services provided, nor the effective
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 229 promotion of school standards and the wider ECM agenda. Implement B2B system for Personnel.
Implement IT remote access to school admin network.
Improve accuracy of student address data.
Support performance management within the department including responding to requests for performance information and analysis, and supporting the development of an integrated performance management framework across the department. Coordinate department performance and policy returns including service plans, corporate plans and government returns. Run a test of the Council’s Business Continuity Plan.
Maintain the OHSAS 18001 Quality Management System for Health & Safety in six of the leisure sites. Provide e-enabled access to leisure services.
Implement the on-line licensing package.
Start to implement the e-enabled complaint on-line package for environmental health and trading standards. Draft a corporate GIS strategy for 2007-2010.
Carry out any actions arising from the PWC Council-wide efficiency review.
Start to research and implement any action from the PWC Council-wide efficiency review.
Make any structural changes required by the outcome of the Support Services review.
Enabling and promoting planning applications to be made online through the National
Planning Portal. Enabling comments on planning policy matters to be made on line via Public Access.
Enabling planning enforcement concerns to be registered and monitored online.
Capturing all the planning history of the Borough into the Council’s planning database.
Implement the actions in the Disability Equality Scheme Action Plan.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 230 Implement the actions in the Gender Equality Action Plan .
Provide comments on the draft Race Equality Scheme.
Support DMT to carry out any changes for 2007/08 and 2008/09 required by the Council- wide efficiency review. Support DMT to start to research and implement any changes in 2009/10 required by the Council-wide efficiency review. Make any structural changes required by the outcome of the Support Services review.
Produce Action Plan for the department’s deliverables in the Equality Schemes.
Contribute to the review of the Council’s Race Equality Scheme.
Monitor, update and deliver the medium term financial plan, with particular emphasis on the delivery of the 2007/08 budget and preparations for the 2008/09 budget. Support transition to a new external auditor.
Implement corporate contracts to achieve procurement savings, e.g. home-to-school transport, taxis, banking, insurance, building cleaning. As lead authority, provide financial support to the Berkshire Improvement Partnership and the Berkshire Procurement and Shared Services Unit. Extend the remit of the Integrated Transport Unit to include Social Services transport.
Develop and implement a risk management training programme for Members and officers.
Refresh the Corporate Risk Register.
Joint Arrangements to be reviewed by BFBC Pressure of work within the Legal in consultation with other Berkshire Unitary Services Section has dictated that the Authorities. review is unlikely to be completed in this municipal year, although most of the major joint arrangements have been reviewed and revised agreements are being put in place for some of the arrangements. Amendments to Joint Arrangement Amended agreements for some of the Agreements. Joint Arrangements have been put in place. Pressure of work within the Legal Services Section has meant that not all Agreements will be amended this Municipal Year.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 231 Complete a review of the financial aspects of Berkshire joint arrangements / shared services. Work with Department of SS&H, develop property strategy to reduce revenue outgoings as well as raise capital for investment in improved service provision for adults with learning difficulties. Disposal programme to recommence when SPA mitigation measurers approved.
Develop and implement infrastructure and support services to deliver mobile and flexible working initiatives. This will support work styles being developed to support the Civic Hub, etc. Implement the CRM work programme for 2007.
Produce a CRM programme for 2007-2010.
Develop, consult on and implement five year ICT Strategy, and in particular increase the online transaction capability of the Council’s website, including extension of the online payments facility. Increase use of the online payments facility.
Administer the Borough/Parish Council elections in accordance with legislation including the Electoral Administration Act 2006. Prepare effectively for, and deliver successfully the 2007 Borough/Parish Council elections, ensuring adequate levels of Staff, managing the postal vote opening sessions, and maintaining the integrity of the democratic process. Implement outcomes of the Support Services Review in accordance with agreed action plan.
Implement agreed programme of works for Corporate Services from the Council-wide efficiency review. Support Council departments to implement agreed programmes of works from the
Council-wide efficiency review. Implement the Pay and Workforce Strategy to (a) develop improved basic skills for workers to enhance career prospects within the Council, (b) develop better leadership and management skills within the workforce to improve management competence, and (c) develop clear, viable ‘Grow Your Own’ routes for a range of professional areas within the Council.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 232 Submit version 3 of the Pay and Workforce Strategy to Employment Committee for endorsement, which will include a revised Action Plan to meet the requirements of the Key Actions. Ensure 100% staff appraisal return (except for long term sickness).
Consider the Council’s response to the Modernisation Agenda for the Registration
Service. Deliver the agreed Member Induction Programme and/or rolling four-year programme to ensure Member learning and development needs are met. Implement HR and Finance ‘self-service’ provisions for staff and managers.
Improve and upgrade the functionality of Yourself. Revise the staffing structure of Payroll/HR Systems Administration to create a team able to develop the REBUS (Yourself) self-service model for staff and managers. Implement the Council’s Equality schemes for Gender and Disability.
Implement actions for Corporate Services in Disability Equality Scheme.
Implement actions for Corporate Services in Gender Equality Scheme.
Review the Council’s Race Equality Scheme.
Work with Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action to establish BME Forum.
Use BME Forum to assess unmet need.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 233
Corporate Theme 12: Improve corporate governance and partnership working
Key Actions/Outcomes:
12.1 Undertake a review of the Council’s practices against best practice of Corporate Governance and partnership arrangements, and implement any consequent amendments. 12.2 Ensure effective implementation of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act, in particular by establishing a new Public Services Scrutiny Board. 12.3 Support Member development. 12.4 Lead and co-ordinate the refresh of the Local Area Agreement between the Government and Bracknell Forest Partnership. 12.5 Lead and co-ordinate the refresh of the Sustainable Community Strategy. 12.6 Ensure that partners work together to improve outcomes for young people aged 14-19, including those who have additional needs.
Develop, re-shape and continue to support and facilitate the Neighbourhood Forums and Action Groups. Support members to develop a work programme for Overview and Scrutiny.
Review and update BFP governance arrangements in light of the changing Government agenda. Develop the LAA performance framework. Specifically, roll out integrated performance management framework to all key BFP partnerships (CYPP, H&SC, LSP, CDRP) and put plans in place for similar version for departments. Implement Action Plan to improve the BFP’s internal and external communications. Produce Annual Report of Overview and Scrutiny.
Restructure Overview and Scrutiny to N/A The Overview and Scrutiny provisions of accommodate requirements of the Police the Policy and Justice Act were not and Justice Act (and secure necessary ‘commenced’, have been repealed, and changes to Council’s Constitution). are being reviewed by the Government. Restructuring proposals consequent on the new Council structure have been formulated. Establish scrutiny arrangements for the Bracknell Forest Partnership.
Lead and co-ordinate the refresh of the Local Area Agreement between the
Government and Bracknell Forest Partnership. Produce six-monthly progress review of LAA for Government Office for the South
East (GOSE).
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 234 Draft the refresh of the Sustainable Community Strategy.
Produce proposals on a set of voluntary (and benchmarked) Quality of Life performance indicators. Ensure schools have up-to-date information on accredited award schemes and support in developing programmes. Support schools following Diploma Diploma Gateway submission not Gateway outcome (March 2007) in order to successful. develop range of provision from September 2008. Influence providers of learning programmes to match provision with the needs of the learner, including support for teachers in the analysis of data and strategies to promote access to the curriculum and effective interventions. Support providers in the development of coordinated delivery models (including timetables) in order to enhance the role of the consortium in broadening the range of available provision. Contribute to the Bracknell Forest NEET Strategy coordinated by the Pathways To
Success Working Group. Embed new arrangements for the delivery of the Connexions Service in Bracknell
Forest. Support senior leaders in schools to evaluate school, group and individual attainment and progress and secure continued improvement. Review the terms of reference and membership of the 14-19 Partnership.
Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership work effectively towards strengthening partnership working to address the additional needs of 14-19 year olds. Implement ContactPoint.
Review to be conducted having regard to best practice guidance from CIPA, ACSeS,
DCLG. Partnership Handbook to be amended.
Review and develop robust partnership governance arrangements having regard to the Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Bill. Report to CMT and Executive following enactment identifying implementation
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 235 stages required and timetable. Report on amendments to Code of Conduct to Council following consideration by the Standards Committee. Advice to Parish Councils on revised Code.
Training sessions for all Borough and Parish Members.
Develop and implement a work programme to ensure the effective delivery of the Members’ Charter for Learning and Development.
denotes key actions which are anticipated to be achieved within timetable or already have been achieved.
denotes key actions which have not been or are not likely to be achieved on time.
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex A: Performance against Key Actions 236 ANNEX B COUNCIL PERFORMANCE AGAINST KEY INDICATORS
Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile*
Corporate Theme 2: Promote sustainable communities through innovative housing strategies and effective maintenance policies GREEN BV 106 Percentage of new homes built on previously developed land. E&L % High 60.00 Worst 69.23 Third
GREEN BV 63 The average Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) energy SSH Number: SAP High 69 Second 73 Best efficiency rating of local authority owned dwellings expressed as a rating out of number out of 120. 120 GREEN BV 184a The proportion of local authority dwellings which were non-decent at SSH % Low 27 Second 27 Second the start of the financial year.
GREEN BV 184b The percentage change in proportion of non-decent local authority SSH % High 4.0 Worst 25.2 Second homes between the start and the end of the financial year.
GREEN BV 200a Did the local planning authority submit the Local Development E&L Yes/No Local Yes N/A Yes N/A LDS will be renewed next quarter. 237 Scheme (LDS) by 28th March 2005 and thereafter maintain a 3- year rolling programme? GREEN BV 200b Has the local planning authority met the milestones which the E&L Yes/No Local Yes N/A Yes N/A current Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out?
RED BV 212 Average time taken to re-let local authority housing. SSH Number of Low 27 Second 31 Second A number of empty properties days required extensive work, which adversely affected average re-let times. These are December 2007 figures, the last available figures prior to the stock transfer in February.
GREEN BV 66a Rent collected by the local authority as a proportion of rents owed SSH % High 97.00 Worst 97.41 Third These are December 2007 figures, on Housing Revenue Account (HRA) dwellings. the last available figures prior to the stock transfer in February. GREEN BV 66b The number of local authority tenants with more than seven weeks SSH % Low 6.50 Third 5.48 Second These are December 2007 figures, of (gross) rent arrears as a percentage of the total number of the last available figures prior to the council tenants. stock transfer in February. ? BV 66c Percentage of local authority tenants in arrears who have had SSH % Low 34.00 Third 41.65 Worst These are December 2007 figures, (Grn in Notices Seeking Possession served. the last available figures prior to the PMR) stock transfer in February. Performance on BV 66c is behind target as there has been a higher number of evictions, but this has contributed to the improved performance in rent arrears (BV 66a).
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 1 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* RED BV 66d Percentage of local authority tenants evicted as a result of rent SSH % Low 0.15 Best 0.39 Third These are December 2007 figures, arrears. the last available figures prior to the stock transfer in February. This is no longer the domain of BFBC, so no remedial action. N/A BV 74a Percentage of all council tenants, or a representative sample of SSH % High N/A N/A N/A N/A council tenants, stating that they are satisfied with the overall service provided by their landlord when surveyed. N/A BV 74b Satisfaction of ethnic minority local authority tenants (excluding SSH % High N/A N/A N/A N/A white minority tenants) with the overall service provided by their landlord. N/A BV 74c Satisfaction of non-ethnic-minority local authority tenants with the SSH % High N/A N/A N/A N/A overall service provided by their landlord.
N/A BV 75a Satisfaction of council housing tenants with opportunities for SSH % High N/A N/A N/A N/A participation in management and decision making in relation to housing services provided by their landlord. N/A BV 75b Tenant satisfaction with participation -- ethnic minority tenants. SSH % High N/A N/A N/A N/A
N/A BV 75c Satisfaction of non-ethnic-minority council housing tenants with SSH % High N/A N/A N/A N/A opportunities for participation in management and decision making in relation to housing services provided by their landlord. 238 GREEN BV 183b The average length of stay (weeks) in hostel accommodation of SSH Number Low 0 Best 0 Best households which are unintentionally homeless and in priority need (whole weeks) in the financial year. GREEN BV 202 The number of people sleeping rough on a single night within the SSH Number Low 0-10 N/A 0-10 N/A area of the authority.
GREEN BV 213 Number of households who considered themselves as homeless, SSH Number (per High 3.57 Second 3.71 Second who approached the local housing authority’s housing advice 1,000 (161 cases) (167 service(s), and for whom housing advice casework intervention households) cases) resolved their situation. ? BV 64 The number of non-local authority owned vacant dwellings returned SSH Number High 76 Second 58 Second There was a particularly low level of (AMBER to occupation or demolished during the year as a direct result of take-up on one of the initiatives which in PMR) action by the local authority. contribute to this indicator during quarter 3. Corporate Theme 3: Help create a safer, stronger community which is socially cohesive GREEN E47 Ethnicity of older people receiving assessment (new definition). SSH Low 1.20 N/A 1.16 N/A
GREEN E48 Ethnicity of older people receiving services following an assessment SSH Low 1.00 N/A 0.95 N/A (new definition).
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 2 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* GREEN BV 2a The level of the Equality Standard for local government to which the CXO Level High Level 2, N/A Level 2, N/A An Equality Standard Action Plan has Authority conforms in respect of gender, race and disability. (0-5) working working been produced for progressing to towards towards Level 3 in March 2009, and a timeline Level 3 Level 3 has been produced for progressing to Level 5 by 2014. GREEN BV 2b The duty to promote race equality checklist score. CXO % High 95 Best 95 Best
GREEN CC01 Percentage of people who feel that their local area is a place where CPS % High N/A N/A 82 Second Three-year assessment by AC. people from different backgrounds can get on well together (new National Indicator NI-1). RED BV 11a The percentage of the top paid 5 % of local authority staff who are CPS % High 35.00 Second 33.14 Third The small size of the affected group women (excluding those in maintained schools). means that small variations in number have a disproportionate effect on the overall percentage. RED BV 11b The percentage of the top 5% of Local Authority staff who are from CPS % High 5.25 Best 3.07 Second The small size of the affected group an ethnic minority. means that small variations in number have a disproportionate effect on the overall percentage. The reduction of two people has resulted in the failure to achieve the target. 239
GREEN BV 11c The percentage of the top paid 5% of staff who have a disability CPS % High 2.80 Second 3.00 Second (excluding those in maintained schools).
RED BV 16a The percentage of local authority employees declaring that they CPS % High 2.00 Third 1.61 Worst The number of disabled job applicants meet the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 disability definition. has not been strong; the number of employees in the affected group means that small variations in numbers affect the overall percentage in a disproportionate way.
RED BV 17a The percentage of local authority employees from ethnic minority CPS % High 3.3 Second 3.2 Second The small size of the affected group communities. means that small variations in number have a disproportionate effect on the overall percentage. GREEN BV 49 The percentage of children looked after on 31st March with three or ECSL % Local 13.00 N/A 12.00 N/A more placements during the last year.
RED BV 99a (i) Number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions E&L Number of Low 31 Best 36 Best Although slightly higher than the in the previous calendar year. people target, this is BFBC's second best ever value and puts the indicator back on track for achieving the 2010 target (subject to scrutiny/LAA review).
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 3 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* RED BV 99a (ii) Percentage change in number of people killed or seriously injured in E&L % Low -50.0 Best -41.9 Best Although slightly higher than the road traffic collisions since the previous calendar year. target, this is BFBC's second best ever value and puts the indicator back on track for achieving the 2010 target (subject to scrutiny/LAA review).
RED BV 99a (iii) Percentage change in the number of people killed or seriously E&L % Low -57.0 Best -50.0 Best Although slightly higher than the injured in road traffic collisions in the previous year compared to the target, this is BFBC's second best 1994 & 1998 average. ever value and puts the indicator back on track for achieving the 2010 target (subject to scrutiny/LAA review).
GREEN BV 99b (i) Number of children (aged under 16 years) killed or seriously injured E&L Number of Low 3.0 Best 2.0 Best in road traffic collisions. children
GREEN BV 99b (ii) Percentage change in number of children (aged under 16 years) E&L % Low -25 Second -50 Best killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions since the previous calendar year. GREEN BV 99b (iii) Percentage change in the number of children killed or seriously E&L % Low -66.7 Best -77.8 Best injured in road traffic collisions since the previous year compared to the 1994 & 1998 average. RED BV 99c (i) Number of people slightly injured in road traffic collisions in the E&L Number of Low 309 Best 345 Best There was an anomalous rise in the previous calendar year. people number of slight injuries recorded in
240 the early months of 2007. The latter months show that the normal trend has returned, and the indicator is expected to be on track for achieving the 2010 target. RED BV 99c (ii) Percentage change in the number of people slightly injured in road E&L % Low -0.3 Third +11.3 Worst There was an anomalous rise in the traffic collisions since the previous calendar year. number of slight injuries recorded in the early months of 2007. The latter months show that the normal trend has returned, and the indicator is expected to be on track for achieving the 2010 target. RED BV 99c (iii) Percentage change in the number of people slightly injured in road E&L % Low -25.4 Best -16.7 Second There was an anomalous rise in the traffic collisions in the previous year compared to the 1994 and number of slight injuries recorded in 1998 average. the early months of 2007. The latter months show that the normal trend has returned, and the indicator is expected to be on track for achieving the 2010 target. GREEN BV 162 The percentage of child protection cases which were reviewed ECSL % High 100 100 regularly, out of those cases which should have been reviewed during the financial year.
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 4 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* RED BV 163 Adoptions of looked after children. The number of looked after ECSL % High 5.0 4.6 Performance varies with changes in children adopted during the year as a percentage of the number of cohort (small number of adoption children looked after at 31 March who had been looked after for 6 cases). months or more at that date. GREEN BFPI Number of school governor vacancies as a percentage of the total. E&L % Low 9 Best 3 Best
RED BV 126 Number of recorded domestic burglaries per 1,000 households in CXO Number per Low 6.9 Second 9.9 Third Dwelling burglaries rose in Bracknell the local authority area. 1,000 Forest from March 2005 to March households 2007. Since then there has been a steady fall back to the original baseline. The trend is continuing downwards. RED BV 127a The number of violent crimes recorded per 1,000 population in the CXO Number per Low 15.7 Second 16.5 Second Violent crime rose between March local authority area. 1,000 2004 and September 2007. Since population then there has been a steady fall. This indicator includes Common Assault and Wounding. Common Assault rose steeply after the introduction of the power of arrest for this offence in January 2006, with figures falling 241 since September 2007. Numbers of woundings have been falling since January 2006. GREEN BV 127b The number of robberies per 1,000 population in the local authority CXO Number per Low 1.1 Third 0.5 Second Robberies have been reduced by area. 1,000 56.1%, due in part to targeting known population offenders and working to protect young people. No target was formally set for this indicator owing to a slight misalignment between the BVPI and a similar police target. The target of 1.1, which represents a 3% cut on TVP's previous year's outturn, was published in the 2006/07 BFBC Annual Report.
GREEN BV 128 The number of vehicle crimes recorded per 1,000 population in the CXO Number per Low 10.2 Third 8.6 Second There was a large reduction in thefts local authority area. 1,000 from vehicles due in part to targetting population known offenders and securing car parks and other vulnerable areas.
RED BV 166a Percentage score against a 10-point checklist of enforcement best E&L % High 100.0 Best 97.0 Third Due to the publicised intention to practice for environmental health. remove this indicator, it was decided not to utilise resources which were already short due to vacancies to improve the score rather than deliver key services.
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 5 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* RED BV 166b Percentage score against a 10-point checklist of enforcement best E&L % High 95.0 Worst 90.0 Worst Due to the publicised intention to practice for trading standards. remove this indicator, it was decided not to utilise resources which were already short due to vacancies to improve the score rather than deliver key services. N/A BV 174 The number of racial incidents reported to the local authority and CXO Number per Local 30.00 N/A 9.00 N/A There is no polarity for this indicator, subsequently recorded per 100,000 population. 100,000 which merely sets the context for population BV 175 (q.v.). GREEN BV 175 The percentage of racial incidents reported to the local authority CXO % High 100.00 Best 100.00 Best that resulted in further action.
RED BV 215a The average number of days taken to repair a street lighting fault, E&L Number of Low 5.00 Best 8.18 Worst An unexpected increase in reported which is under the control of the local authority. days faults in January (up 48%) temporarily exceeded our contractor's resource capacity. GREEN BV 215b The average time taken to repair a street lighting fault, where E&L Number of Low 26.00 Third 6.38 Best response time is under the control of a Distribution Network days Operator (DNO). RED BV 225 Percentage score against an 11-point checklist of Actions Against CXO % High 100.0 N/A 90.9 N/A One item (anti-DV clause in standard Domestic Violence. tenancy agreements) from an 11-point checklist cannot be ticked.
242 Corporate Theme 4: Increase participation in and enjoyment of art, culture, sport and recreation GREEN BV 219b Percentage of conservation areas in the local authority area with an E&L % High 100.00 Best 100.00 Best up-to-date character appraisal.
N/A BV 220 Compliance score against the Public Library Service Standards 4- ECSL Number (1-4) High N/A N/A 16.5 N/A point checklist. (Category 3) GREEN BV 156 The percentage of authority buildings open to the public in which all CPS % High 50.60 N/A 51.20 N/A Figure includes work currently on site. public areas are suitable for and accessible to disabled people (excluding external public conveniences, schools and educational establishments). GREEN BFPI 8 To minimise net expenditure by optimising income levels in Leisure. E&L Amount (£) High £8,860,000 N/A £9,024,000 N/A
GREEN BFPI 045 Number of customer visits/contacts to leisure facilities and sports E&L Number of High 2,242,000 N/A 2,359,478 N/A Overall usage of facilities has development (excluding EP Conference Centre but including BFBC visits / recovered from a slow start to achieve facilities operated by third parties). contacts the annual target and show marginal improvement on the previous year.
GREEN BV 205 Percentage score of quality of service against a 21 point checklist E&L % High 100.0 Best 100.0 Best for guidance to applicants.
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 6 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* RED BFPI Number of schools which have achieved the new Healthy Schools ECSL % High 78 N/A 73 N/A 28 schools have now achieved the Award. Award.
BV 197 Percentage change in the number of conceptions amongst 15-17 ECSL % Low -23.9 year old girls resident in the area, compared with the baseline year of 1998. Corporate Theme 6: Improve outcomes for children and young people RED BV 38 Percentage of 15 year old pupils in schools maintained by the local ECSL % High 64.0 Best 59.7 Second Results remain above national education authority achieving 5 GCSEs at grades A*- to C or average. equivalent. GREEN BV 39 Percentage of 15 year old pupils in schools maintained by the local ECSL % High 93.0 Best 93.3 Best education authority achieving 5 GCSEs at grades A*- to G or equivalent including English and Maths. GREEN BV 43a Percentage of proposed statements of special educational need ECSL % High 100.0 Best 100.0 Best issued by the authority in a financial year and prepared within 18 weeks excluding those affected by exceptions to the rule under the SEN Code of Practice. GREEN BV 43b Percentage of statements of special educational need issued by the ECSL % High 95.0 Second 100.0 Best authority in a financial year and prepared within 18 weeks including 243 those affected by exceptions to the rule under the SEN Code of Practice. RED BV 45 Percentage of half days missed due to total absence in secondary ECSL % Low 6.80 Best 8.01 Third schools maintained by the local education authority.
RED BV 46 Percentage of half days missed due to total absence in primary ECSL % Low 4.80 Best 4.87 Best schools maintained by the local education authority.
GREEN BV 50 The percentage of young people aged 16 or over leaving care in the ECSL % High 69 73 financial year with at least 1 GCSE at grades A*- G, or GNVQ.
RED BV 40 Percentage of pupils in schools maintained by the local education ECSL % High 84.0 Best 77.0 Second Results remain above national authority achieving Level 4 or above in the Key Stage 2 average. Mathematics test. RED BV 41 Percentage of pupils in schools maintained by the local education ECSL % High 85.0 Best 83.0 Best Results remain within the top quartile authority achieving Level 4 or above in the Key Stage 2 English nationally. test. GREEN BV 161 The percentage of those young people who were looked after on 1 ECSL % High 0.67 0.75 April in their 17th year (aged 16), who were engaged in employment, education or training at age 19 compared to the percentage of young people in the population who were engaged in employment, education or training at age 19. RED BV 181a Percentage of 14-year old pupils in schools maintained by the local ECSL % High 84.00 Best 78.00 Best Results remain within the top quartile education authority achieving Level 5 or above in the Key Stage 3 nationally. test in English.
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 7 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* RED BV 181b Percentage of 14-year old pupils in schools maintained by the local ECSL % High 83.00 Best 80.00 Best Results remain within the top quartile education authority achieving Level 5 or above in the Key Stage 3 nationally. test in Mathematics. RED BV 181c Percentage of 14-year old pupils in schools maintained by the local ECSL % High 82.00 Best 81.00 Best Results remain within the top quartile education authority achieving Level 5 or above in the Key Stage 3 nationally. test in Science. RED BV 181d Percentage of 14-year old pupils in schools maintained by the local ECSL % High 79.00 Best 72.00 Second Results remain above national education authority achieving Level 5 or above in the Key Stage 3 average. test in ICT. RED BV 194a Percentage of 11 year old pupils in schools maintained by the local ECSL % High 39 Best 37 Best Results remain within the top quartile education authority achieving level 5 or above in Key Stage 2 nationally. English. RED BV 194b Percentage of 11 year old pupils in schools maintained by the local ECSL % High 38 Best 31 Third education authority achieving level 5 or above in Key Stage 2 Mathematics. GREEN BV 221a Percentage of young people aged 13-19 involved in youth work ECSL % Local 80 Best 82 Best gaining a recorded outcome compared to the percentage of young people in the local authority area. RED BV 222a Percentage of leaders of integrated early education and childcare ECSL % High 55 Best 48 Best settings funded or part-funded by the local authority with a qualification at Level 4 or above. RED BV 222b Percentage of integrated early education and childcare settings ECSL % High 50 Third 45 Third funded or part-funded by the local authority which have input from
244 staff with graduate or post graduate training in teaching or child development. Corporate Theme 7: Increase participation in adult learning GREEN BFPI Report learner numbers and enrolments resulting from Adult ECSL Number High 2,240 N/A 1,865 N/A Figure based on Autumn 2007 and Learning Plan 2006/07: (a) Number of learners Spring 2008 terms only: overall well on target. N/A BFPI Report learner numbers and enrolments resulting from Adult ECSL Number High N/A N/A N/A N/A Learning Plan 2006/07: (b) Number of enrolments ? BFPI Report data from Grow Our Own project to meet LLA targets: ECSL Number High 10 N/A 0 N/A Programme was planned to start (Grn in Number of economically inactive or under-active people assisted in during Q4 2007/08, but is linked to the PMR) another way with skills development. regeneration timetable. GREEN BFPI Successful negotiation of LSC contract for Adult Learning. ECSL Yes/No N/A Yes N/A Yes N/A
GREEN BFPI Successful negotiation of SEEDA contract for Grow Our Own. ECSL Yes/No N/A Yes N/A Yes N/A
Corporate Theme 8: Improve services for vulnerable adults and older people N/A B11 Intensive home care as a proportion of intensive home and SSH % 34 N/A 32 N/A residential care.
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 8 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* N/A B12 Cost of intensive social care for adults and older people. SSH Cost Low £700.00 Not yet available N/A B17 Unit cost of home care for adults and older people. SSH Cost Low £15.00 Not yet available GREEN C72 Older people aged 65 or over admitted on a permanent basis in the SSH Low 75 53.1 year to residential or nursing care.
GREEN C73 Adults aged 18-64 admitted on a permanent basis in the year to SSH Low 0.4 0.0 residential or nursing care.
GREEN C29 Adults with physical disabilities helped to live at home per 1,000 SSH Number per High 3.6 3.7 population aged 18-64. 1,000 population GREEN C30 Adults with learning disabilities helped to live at home per 1,000 SSH Number per High 3.0 2.9 population aged 18-64. 1,000 population GREEN C31 Adults with mental health problems helped to live at home per 1,000 SSH Number per High 5.8 5.39 population aged 18-64. 1,000 population RED BV 53 Households receiving intensive home care per 1,000 population SSH Number per Local 13.00 N/A 12.89 N/A Indicator BV 53 is identical to indicator aged 65 or over. 1,000 C28. 245 population 65+
RED BV 54 Older people helped to live at home per 1,000 population aged 65 SSH Number per High 90.00 86.77 Indicator BV 54 is identical to indicator or over. 1,000 C32. population 65+
Corporate Theme 9: Create and maintain a quality environment GREEN BV 82a (i) Percentage of household waste arisings which have been sent by E&L % High 26.00 Best 26.78 Best the local authority for recycling.
GREEN BV 82a (ii) Total tonnage of household waste arisings which have been sent by E&L Number of High 14,750.00 N/A 15,059.00 N/A the Authority for recycling. tonnes
RED BV 82b (i) The percentage of household waste sent by the Authority for E&L % High 14.00 Second 12.76 Second Feb/Mar amount composted very low composting or treatment by anaerobic digestion. due to poor weather.
RED BV 82b (ii) The tonnage of household waste sent by the Authority for E&L Number of High 7,952.00 N/A 7,174.78 N/A Feb/Mar amount composted very low composting or treatment by anaerobic digestion. tonnes due to poor weather.
GREEN BV 82c (i) Percentage of the total tonnage of household waste arisings which E&L % High 0.00 Worst 0.25 Second 139 tonnes of waste from recycling have been used to recover heat, power and other energy sources. banks diverted from landfill for fibre fuel. GREEN BV 82c (ii) Tonnage of household waste arisings which have been used to E&L Number of High 0.00 N/A 139.00 N/A 139 tonnes of waste from recycling recover heat, power and other energy sources. tonnes banks diverted from landfill for fibre fuel.
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 9 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* RED BV 82d (i) Percentage of household waste arisings which have been landfilled. E&L % Low 60.00 Second 60.20 Second Landfill tonnage below target. Percentages affected by BV 82b.
GREEN BV 82d (ii) The tonnage of household waste arisings which have been E&L Number of Low 34,500.00 N/A 33,861.00 N/A Landfill tonnage below target. landfilled. tonnes
RED BV 84a Number of kilograms of household waste collected per head of the E&L Number of Low 496.0 Worst 507.0 Worst The latest population figures available population. kilograms are from 2006/07, since when the number of households has increased.
RED BV 84b Percentage change from the previous financial year in the number E&L % Low -0.2 Best +2.20 Third The latest population figures available of kilograms of household waste collected per head of the are from 2006/07, since when the population. number of households has increased.
GREEN BV 86 Cost of household waste collection per household. E&L Cost in £ per Low £37.45 Best £36.18 Best household
GREEN BV 87 Cost of waste disposal per tonne municipal waste. E&L Cost in £ per Low £68.25 Worst £64.85 Worst tonne
GREEN BV 91a Percentage of households in the authority’s area served by kerbside E&L % High 99.7 Second 99.9 Second collection of recyclables.
246 GREEN BV 91b Percentage of households in the authority’s area served by kerbside E&L % High 99.7 Second 99.9 Second collection of at least two recyclables.
GREEN BV 199a The proportion of relevant land and highways (expressed as a E&L % Low 9.0 Second 6.0 Best percentage) that is assessed as having combined deposits of litter and detritus that fall below an acceptable level. GREEN BV 199b The proportion of relevant land and highways (expressed as a E&L % Low 4 Third 1 Best percentage) from which unacceptable levels of graffiti are visible.
GREEN BV 199c The proportion of relevant land and highways (expressed as a E&L % Low 4 Worst 0 Best percentage) from which unacceptable levels of fly-posting are visible. GREEN BV 199d The year-on-year reduction in total number of incidents and E&L Number (1-4) Low 2 Second 2 Second increase in total number of enforcement actions taken to deal with ‘fly-tipping’. RED BV 204 The number of planning appeal decisions allowed against the E&L % Low 30.0 Second 45.5 Worst A detailed analysis of the performance authority's decision to refuse on planning applications as a is currently underway to establish percentage of the total number of planning appeals against refusals whether there is any pattern to this fall of planning applications. in performance and identify any corrective action that may be required.
GREEN BV 205 Percentage score of quality of service against a 21 point checklist E&L % High 100.0 Best 100.0 Best for guidance to applicants.
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 10 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* GREEN BV 216a Number of ‘sites of potential concern’ [within the local authority E&L Number Local 2,309 N/A 2,308 N/A area], with respect to land contamination.
RED BV 216b Number of sites for which sufficient detailed information is available E&L % High 14 sites to N/A 0 Worst The target has not been met due to to decide whether remediation of the land is necessary, as a be resource pressures within the percentage of all ‘sites of potential concern’. investigated Environmental Health team. The target will be carried over to the new financial year, when better progress is expected to be made. GREEN BV 217 Percentage of pollution control improvements to existing E&L % High 100 Best 100 Best installations completed on time.
GREEN BV 218a Percentage of new reports of abandoned vehicles investigated E&L % High 86.00 Third 93.00 Second within 24hrs of notification.
RED BV 218b Percentage of abandoned vehicles removed within 24 hours from E&L % High 87.00 Third 40.00 Worst The absolute numbers of vehicles the point at which the Authority is legally entitled to remove the requiring removal has dropped vehicle. dramatically in recent years, from 327 in 2004/05 to 70 in 2007/08. The low percentage outturn in 2007/08 is due to a small number of vehicles not 247 being collected on time by the Council's contractor. Corporate Theme 10: Improve transport and movement in and around the Borough GREEN BV 100 Number of days of temporary traffic controls or road closure on E&L Number of Low 1.0 Third 0.5 Second traffic sensitive streets or the road was closed, due to local authority days road works per km of traffic sensitive streets. (Exclude traffic controls at road works that were completed in less than a day).
RED BV 102 The number of local bus journeys originating in the authority area E&L Number High 1,876,000 Worst 1,790,000 Worst This is a provisional estimated figure. undertaken each year.
GREEN BV 109a Percentage of major planning applications determined within 13 E&L % High 65.00 Worst 83.67 Best weeks.
GREEN BV 109b Percentage of minor planning applications determined within 8 E&L % High 72.00 Third 88.00 Best weeks.
GREEN BV 109c Percentage of other planning applications determined within 8 E&L % High 85.00 Third 94.59 Best weeks.
GREEN BV 165 The percentage of pedestrian crossings with facilities for disabled E&L % High 100.0 100.0 100.0 Best people as a proportion of all crossings in the local authority area.
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 11 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* RED BV 178 The percentage of total length of footpaths and other rights of way E&L % High 100.0 Best 91.6 Best Bracknell footpath 15 flooded at winter which were easy to use by members of the public. inspection; remedial work now complete. RED BV 187 Percentage of the catergory 1, 1a and 2 footway network where E&L % Low 25 Third 49 Worst The percentage of our principal structural maintenance should be considered determied through footway network above investigation DVI measurements. level is substantially above the original trajectory and continues to follow an upward trend. Independent audit has shown that the actual condition of the footways remains at steady state and has not deteriorated to the extent apparently shown by this indicator. The specialist surveyors may be becoming more rigid in the defects they are recording. Throughout its life, this indicator, which is not being continued as a National Indicator, has proved to be unreliable.
GREEN BV 223 Percentage of the local authority principal road network where E&L % Low 9 Third 8 Second structural maintenance should be considered.
248 GREEN BV 224a Percentage of the non-principal classified road network where E&L % Low 16 Worst 11 Second maintenance should be considered using SCANNER surveys.
RED BV 224b Percentage of the unclassified road network where structural E&L % Low 25 Worst 26 Worst The percentage of the unclassified maintenance should be considered on the basis of DVI survey. network above investigation level is slightly above the original trajectory set and within acceptable margins for this indicator. Corporate Theme 11: Improve efficiency, effectiveness and access to services GREEN BFPI Number of teaching assistants with HLTA in BFBC schools. ECSL Number High Increase N/A 51 Best The current figure of 51 teaching (among assistants with HLTA includes an South- additional nine who have achieved the East LAs) standard this year. BV 201 Adults and older people receiving direct payments at 31 March per Number per High 150 243 Indicator BV 201 is identical to 100,000 population aged 18 or over (age standardised). 100,000 indicator C51. GREEN C62 Services for carers. SSH High 15.0 Best 15.0 Best
GREEN D37 Availability of single rooms. SSH % High 100 Best 100 Best
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 12 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* GREEN D39 Percentage of people receiving a statement of their needs and how SSH % High 98 Second 98 Second they will be met.
GREEN D40 Clients receiving a review. SSH % High 77 Best 81 Best
GREEN D41 Delayed transfers of care. SSH Low 20 9
RED BV 56 Percentage of items of equipment delivered and adaptions made SSH % High 92 90 Indicator BV 56 is identical to indicator within 7 working days D54.
GREEN BV 195 Acceptable waiting time for assessment for new older clients: the SSH % High 95.0 95.0 Indicator BV 195 is identical to average of the percentage where the time from first contact to indicator D55. beginning of assessment is less than 48 hours (i.e. 2 calendar days). GREEN BV 196 Acceptable waiting time for care packages for new older clients: the SSH % High 95.0 95.5 Indicator BV 196 is identical to percentage where the time from completion of assessment to indicator D56. provision of all services in a care package is less than or equal to 4 weeks (i.e. 28 calendar days). ? E82 Assessments of adults and older people leading to provision of SSH % High 69 64 249 (Grn in service (new definition). PMR) ? D75 Practice learning (adults element) (new definition). SSH 23 N/A 20.34 (Grn in PMR) RED BV 8 The percentage of invoices for commercial goods and services CPS % High 95.50 Second 94.51 Third Results from a creditors which were paid by the authority within 30 days of receipt or within benchmarking club we have joined the agreed payment time. show that the unitary average is 90%, suggesting that we are doing well in comparison to our peers. We may have set our target too high.
GREEN BV 9 The percentage of council tax received in financial year. CPS % High 97.50 Third 97.50 Third
GREEN BV 10 The percentage of non-domestic rates due for the financial year CPS % High 99.20 Second 99.51 Best which were received by the authority.
GREEN BV 76b The number of fraud investigators employed by the local authority SSH Number High 0.18 N/A 0.35 N/A per 1000 caseload (for the purpose of detecting or preventing fraud (Local (Local or error) polarity) polarity) GREEN BV 76c The number of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit fraud SSH Number High 31.80 N/A 35.76 N/A investigations carried out by the local authority per financial year per (Local (Local 1000 caseload. polarity) polarity) GREEN BV 76d The number of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit SSH Number High 7.70 N/A 8.68 N/A prosecutions and sanctions per financial year per 1000 caseload in (Local (Local the local authority area. polarity) polarity)
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 13 Ref Indicator BFBC Unit Polarity Target (2007/08) Unaudited Outturn Notes Dept (whole year 2007/08) Figure Quartile* Figure Quartile* ? BV 78a The average processing time (days) taken for all new for Housing SSH Number of Low 28.0 Second 28.4 Second (Grn in and Council Tax Benefit claims submitted to the local authority, for calendar days PMR) which the date of decision is within the financial year being reported.
GREEN BV 78b The average processing time (days) taken for all new written SSH Number of Low 10.0 Second 9.0 Second notifications to a claimant's circumstances that require a new calendar days decision on behalf of the authority within the financial year. GREEN BV 79a The percentage of cases within a random sample for which the SSH % High 99.00 Second 100.00 Best authority's calculation of Housing and Council Tax Benefit is found to be correct. RED BV 79b (i) The amount of Housing Benefit overpayments (HB) recovered SSH % High 70.00 Third 57.22 Worst A Housing Benefit overpayment of during the financial year as a percentage of HB deemed £120,000 was identified in Q3 recoverable overpayments during that period. 2007/08, in which a claimant claimed benefit they were not entitled to. A prosecution in this case is pending.
RED BV 79b (ii) Housing Benefit (HB) overpayments recovered during the period as SSH % High 33.00 Second 17.45 Worst A Housing Benefit overpayment of a percentage of the total amount of HB overpayment debt £120,000 was identified in Q3 outstanding at the start of the period plus amount of HB 2007/08, in which a claimant claimed overpayments identified during the period. benefit they were not entitled to. A prosecution in this case is pending.
GREEN BV 79b (iii) Housing Benefit (HB) overpayments written off during the period as SSH % Local 2.50 N/A 0.21 N/A Old debt has been reviewed and 250 a percentage of the total amount of HB overpayment debt (Local (Local passed to a debt collection agency. If outstanding at the start of the period, plus amount of HB polarity) polarity) the agency is not able to collect, we overpayments identified during the period. will write off the debt. GREEN BV 226a Total amount spent by the Local Authority on Advice and Guidance Value in £ Local £186,090.00 N/A ######### N/A services provided by external organisations.
*Quartile columns show position of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. (Order: Best - Second - Third - Worst. Source: AC)
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex B: Performance against Key Indicators Page 14 ANNEX C CORPORATE HEALTH
Complaints
Department Year Q4 Notes (Q4) End Education, Children’s Total: 33 8 Services and Libraries Stage 1: 18 5 Stage 2: 12 2 Stage 3: 1 0 Ombudsman: 2 1
Social Services and Total: 76 9 Housing Stage 1: 68 9 4 Short-term Services; 1 Long-term Services; 1 CMHT; 3 Sustainable Communities.
251 Stage 2: 5 0 Stage 3: 2 0 Ombudsman: 1 0
Environment and Leisure Total: 22 7 Stage 1: 15 7 Mostly related planning applications advice, refusals and rejections. Stage 2: 2 0 Stage 3: 0 0 Ombudsman: 5 0
Corporate Services / Total: 37 5 Chief Executive’s Office Stage 1: 36 5 1 CT (not upheld); 1 telephone payment; 3 service standards / Customer Care Charter. Stage 2: 1 0 Stage 3: 0 0 Ombudsman: 0 0
BFBC Grand Total: 168 29
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex C: Corporate Health Audits with Limited or No Assurance Opinions
Department Q4 Performance Notes
Education, Children’s Services None and Libraries Social Services and Housing None
Environment and Leisure None
Corporate Services and None Resources Chief Executive’s Office None
Staffing 252 Best Value Performance Indicators
Ref Indicator 2007/08 2007/08 Quartile information Target Outturn (Positions of 2007/08 figures when compared to national 2006/07 outturns. Source: Audit Commission) BV 12 The number of working days/shifts lost to the local authority due 6.80 7.52 Target: Best to sickness absence. Outturn: Best
BV 14 The percentage of employees aged 50 or over retiring early 0.25% 0.18% Target: Second (excluding ill-health retirements) as a percentage of the total Outturn: Best work force (includes all permanent positions including schools). BV 15 The percentage of employees aged 50 and over retiring on 0.18% 0.13% Target: Second grounds of ill health as a percentage of the total workforce Outturn: Second (includes all permanent positions including schools).
Corporate Performance Overview Report Q4 2007/08 – Annex C: Corporate Health Staff Turnover (BFBC total 2006/07: 13.39%)
Department Quarter 4 2007/08 Year End Notes (%) (%) Education, Children’s Services and Libraries 2.48 11.64
Social Services and Housing 4.38 12.28
Environment and Leisure 5.82 21.14
Corporate Services and Resources 3.67 8.98
Chief Executive’s Office 3.85 15.38
253 Staff Sickness (BFBC total 2006/07: 7.04 days per employee)
Department Quarter 4 2007/08 Year End Notes (days per employee) (days per employee) Education, Children’s Services and Libraries 2.98 10.25
Social Services and Housing 5.87 15.63
Environment and Leisure 2.30 8.51
Corporate Services and Resources 1.59 5.75
Chief Executive’s Office 2.73 2.73
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254 ANNEX D REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING – QUARTER 4 2007/08
At the end of the financial year the budgetary control reports for the General Fund reported an underspend of £1.337m which will be added to the Council’s General Reserves. Details of individual variances are outlined in each department’s Performance Management Report (PMR).
There are two significant issues that contributed to the underspend, namely the one- off capitalisation of costs relating to the transfer of the Council’s housing stock to Bracknell Forest Homes (£0.360m) and additional interest (£1.009m). There are three main reasons for the additional interest:
• Impact of the stock transfer • Higher interest rates as a result of turbulence in the financial markets, and • Higher cash balances, particularly as a result of government grants received in advance of expenditure.
Consideration has also been given to potential budget carry forwards into 2008/09, which amount to £0.582m. These represent planned expenditure which, for various reasons, could not be spent in the current year. Some of the more significant carry forwards are as follows:
• Start up funding for the Green Machine. Funding had been earmarked in 2007/08, but will not now be required until 2008/09 (£80,000) • Completion of a mobile working solution for Environmental Health/Trading Standards & Licensing (£75,000) • Conversion of microfiche records into electronic records in Development Control (£64,000) • Commitment arising from the planned adoption of a sibling group of three (£50,000) • Essential roof repairs to commercial properties delayed until 2008/09 (£40,000)
A full review of all the variances arising in 2007/08 is currently being undertaken so that any having an impact in 2008/09 and beyond are identified at an early stage and built into the Council’s medium term financial plans.
This overall position represents a significant improvement on previous years and means that the Council has spent within budget for the tenth consecutive year. This also suggests that many of the budgetary issues in previous years have been largely addressed either through the budget build process or changes to service provision and positions the Council well for 2008/09 and subsequent financial years.
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256 ANNEX E UPDATE ON THE WORK OF THE BRACKNELL FOREST PARTNERSHIP DURING THE QUARTER
Place Shaping Work is well underway to develop new versions of the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) and the Local Area Agreement (LAA). The draft evidence base is finalised and draws together local priorities, performance statistics and headlines of public opinion. Two stakeholder events were held (September and November) to gather additional views to supplement the desk based information gathering. The resulting draft frameworks for the SCS and the LAA were run through a stakeholder consultation during January and February 2008. The draft SCS was published for public consultation in Feb 2008. Negotiations were held with GOSE during March 2008 to agree the 35 indicators that will form the designated targets for the LAA.
In addition , the Partnership Board has • collated and analysed the third quarter performance report against the current Local Area Agreement; • begun procurement for the Community TV initiative.
The Partnership has been actively involved in several consultations which include:
Older People’s Strategy – In anticipation of the changes to the community that will occur with the rapid growth in the over 50 population, the Borough is developing an Older People’s Strategy with partners to plan and improve outcomes for the Borough’s older people of today and tomorrow.
For the next quarter , the focus of the Board will be on: • producing the final performance report for the current LAA; • finalising and publishing the new Sustainable Community Strategy; • finalising and publishing the new Local Area Agreement; • holding a launch event for the new SCS and LAA; • debating and contributing to local health plans and the Berkshire Economic Strategy; • appointing a provider for the Community TV pilot.
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