A new performance framework for monitoring and regulating local government is set out in Chapter 6 of the Local Government White Paper: 'Strong and Prosperous Communities', October 2006. Key elements of the new framework include:
- Local Strategic Partnerships: Under the framework, each local area will have a Local Strategic Partnership which will decide on local priorities. Third sector organisations are full and equal partners in LSPs and the partnerships have a duty to involve local citizens in decision-making.
- Local Area Agreements: The priorities agreed by the LSPs will be set out in Local Area Agreements (LAAs). LAAs are agreements between central government, local authorities and their partners to improve services and the quality of life in an area.
- National Indicators: The performance framework includes a set of 198 National Indicators. These indicators cover all the national priority outcomes which local authorities will be responsible for delivering. Each LAA will have up to 35 of these targets agreed as priorities. Performance against the priorities set out in the LAA will be assessed through Comprehensive Area Assessments (CAAs).
- Comprehensive Area Assessments CAAs consist of:
- an annual publication of the performance of all areas against all the measures in the 198 national indicators
- an 'annual risk assessment' for every area to be delivered jointly by the Audit Commission working with other inspectorates
- an annual scored 'direction of travel' judgement for every local authority – this will assess the effectiveness of each local authority in driving continuous improvement
- an annual scored 'use of resources' judgement by the Audit Commission for all councils, primary care trusts, fire and rescue authorities and police authorities – building on current judgements to provide public, independent assurance about the organisational effectiveness of these key local partners.
More details of the new local government performance framework can be found on the CLG website[external website]. Documents that are of particular interest include:
- Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities Statutory Guidance [external website]: a guidance document which covers Local Strategic Partnerships and the duty to involve Local Area Agreements.
- Principles of representation [external website]: a sector owned document, drafted by a third sector stakeholder group, facilitated by CLG. It provides a set of guiding principles intended to assist the local third sector to organise itself and maximise the impact of its voice on LSPs.
Local Government and the third sector
Two of the most important indicators for LSPs to consider in terms of the third sector are NI 7 ‘An environment for a thriving third sector' and NI 6 'Participation in regular Volunteering'.
National Indicator 7: 'An environment for a thriving third sector'
NI 7 will measure the contribution that local government and its partners make to the environment in which independent third sector organisations can operate successfully.
A stronger third sector can be an asset to every local authority area and this indicator has been included as a government priority in the National Indicator set in recognition of:
- The importance of the third sector to strong, active and empowered communities: A vibrant, diverse and independent third sector is a vital part of a fair and enterprising society. It can help communities to be more cohesive and inclusive, and help individuals to have more say over issues that affect them
- The value of the third sector to responsive and effective local government: The third sector can help local statutory agencies to address a wide range of community concerns, from strengthening community cohesion; to increasing environmental sustainability; to tackling many of the causes and consequences of social and economic disadvantage.
- The value of local government to the third sector: Local statutory agencies can be influential in shaping the environment in which third sector organisations work. NI 7 is designed to capture the overall contribution made by local statutory agencies to the environment in which third sector organisations operate.
The Office of the Third Sector has published a briefing note to provide LSPs with more information on NI7. It is designed to compliment information already provided by CLG.
The briefing note covers:
- Why NI 7 has been included in the National Indicator set
- How performance against NI 7 will be measured
- The proposed new third sector survey; and
- Guidance on agreeing NI 7 improvement targets
Briefing for Local Strategic Partnerships NI 7: 'Environment for a thriving third sector' [PDF 174KB, 16 pages]
Further information on the development work and pilot study undertaken to guide decisions on the way NI 7 will be measured can be found in the Research and Statistics section of this website.
National Indicator 6: 'Participation in regular volunteering'
NI 6 will measure the levels of volunteering in an area. High levels of volunteering are one sign of strong, active communities. Volunteers are vital in supporting the range of activity undertaken by third sector organisations and within the public services. Local government has an important role to play in creating a culture in which individuals are able to contribute to their communities by volunteering.
The Office of the Third Sector has published a briefing note to provide LSPs with more information on NI6. It is designed to compliment information already provided by CLG.
The briefing note covers:
- Why NI 6 has been included in the National Indicator set
- How performance against NI 6 will be measured
- Guidance on agreeing NI 6 improvement targets
Briefing for Local Strategic Partnerships NI 6: Participation in Regular Volunteering [PDF 98KB, 8 pages]
Collection of information is proposed through a new 'Place Survey' which is being developed by CLG. As part of the development, CLG conducted a consultation on the new place survey. Details of the consultation can be found on the CLG website [external website].