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Policy & Performance

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Vision

To enhance the economic and social future of the Borough to meet the needs and aspirations of the community.

Key aims to support the vision:

  1. Effective community leadership.
  2. Investing in our economic future.
  3. Creating an enhanced quality of life for local residents.
  4. Developing a safe confident and socially inclusive community.
  5. Delivering high quality accessible services.

Performance Management

Introduction to the Performance Management Framework

The Council has developed a performance management framework to link the activities and tasks, that we undertake on a daily basis. to the more aspirational aims of the Community Plan and our own corporate aims. The framework is based on identifying a number of improvement activities that will help us to achieve the aims of both the Community, as set out in the Community Plan and the Council. A number of improvement ideas are synergised to give a Key Priority that will deliver tangible benefits to the community. For each of the Key Priorities there is an action plan that includes annual objectives, action and measures so the progress can be measured.
 

Key Priorities 2008-2011

  • KP 1 - Create a safer, cleaner, greener Borough and reduce the gaps between the priority wards and the average
  • KP 2 - Meet the housing needs of the Borough and make decent housing more accessible 
  • KP 3 - Provide easier access to our services
  • KP 4 - Support Economic Regeneration
  • KP 5 - Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your Council
  • KP 6 - Expand facilities and activities for young people   

Key Priority Objectives for 2008/09.

2007/8 End of Year Report

Development Plan

As a result of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the national system for producing planning policy documents has changed and we are presently in a transitional phase between the old and the new systems.
 
The old development plan system of County Structure and Borough Local Plans and Supplementary Planning Guidance has been replaced by a new system comprising a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and a Local Development Framework (LDF). The Local Development Framework is a portfolio of spatial planning documents prepared by the Local Planning Authority.
 
Under the transitional arrangements, the old style Local Plan and Supplementary Planning Guidance and is saved for 3 years (or longer if the Secretary of State agrees), or until such time as it is replaced in whole or in part by the new LDF documents as they are produced. Each year the Council will publish a report - an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) setting out the progress of the LDF and indicating which policies and guidance continue to be saved.

Comprehensive Performance Assessment Report

Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) is part of the wider agenda set out in the Local Government White Paper Strong Local Leadership Quality Public Services. The White Paper encourages greater focus on improved services for local people by freeing good councils from central government controls and restrictions, and providing poorer councils with more, and better focused, support for improvement. CPA is the first step in this process, that of making an overall judgement of where each council stands.
 
This report presents an analysis of the councils overall performance as well as two short diagnostic assessments which cover important areas of responsibility. It also includes an assessment of the councils benefit service by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate, and the appointed auditors assessment of performance on each of the main elements of the code of audit practice. The appendices to this report set out further details on the findings of these assessments and the framework for CPA.
 
In its assessment the report states that:
 
"Barrow in Furness Borough Council is a fair authority that has achieved much in relation to its main objective to regenerate the area. However, core service performance has been weaker and there are variances in quality. The council has plans to improve performance management and to strengthen corporate processes to achieve more consistent levels of performance."
 
The full text of Barrow's Comprehensive Performance Assessment is available below.
The introduction, summary and recommendations sections of the report are also available:
You can read the Audit Commission's own summary at:
 

Crime and Disorder Partnership 

 

Covert Surveillance Policy

This Policy is intended to formalise the ways in which Barrow Borough Council will comply with the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) with regard to covert surveillance techniques.
 
The Covert Surveillance Policy in MS Word format (282 Kb).
 

Customer Service Strategy

The Council's goal is to provide top quality customer care at every point of contact with the Council whether it is by phone, face to face, over the web or via email, or through the post.
 
Our Customer Service Strategy sets out the standards of customer service you can expect from us.

Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI)

The Council has submitted a draft Publication Scheme to the Information Commissioner to meet its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 
 

Implementing Electronic Government (IEG)

Implementing Electronic Government reports:

Performance Plans & Indicators

Community Plan

The Community Plan presents a vision for the future of Barrow. It aims to co-ordinate the work of public, private, community and voluntary sectors to improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of Barrow Borough and all of its residents. It is an overarching, strategic document that brings together a range of plans, objectives and strategies so that they can be delivered in a joined-up way.

Further Information on Barrow Borough Council's Community Plan.

Delivery of Local Authority Benefits

The effective and secure delivery of Local Authority Benefits is one of the means by which the Council aims to support delivery of the objectives set out in our Community Plan.

3 year Play Strategy (September 2007 - 2010)

The overarching aim of this play strategy is to ensure that Barrow Borough’s children and young people have easy access to a range of quality play opportunities within a practical walking distance from their homes. Download the Play strategy (pdf 2Mb).

Procurement Policy

The Council's definition of procurement and policy on procurement issues.




Barrow Borough Council, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2LD, U.K.
Best Value: Tel: 01229 876344| Fax: 01229 876317 | bestvalue@barrowbc.gov.uk |
Copyright 2008 Barrow Borough Council
Last Updated 7/9/2010