To agree the Performance Indicators to be included in the final Local Area Agreement (LAA) super refresh document.

The Chairman advised Members that the development of the Local Area Agreement was currently a living document which was subject to changes.  Amendments would be drawn to the attention of Members during the presentation of the report.

The Herefordshire Partnership Team Manager advised Members that the indicators listed on pages 100-102 had been discussed by the Chief Executives Partners Policy Group prior to consideration by Cabinet. 

• The support of GOWM had been gained to remove indicator N175 ‘Access to Services and Facilities by Public Transport, Walking or Cycling’ and a more locally defined indicator was being considered in conjunction with the Environment Directorate (details of which were subject to technical specification).

• LAA indicator 167 : ‘Congestion – average journey time per mile funding the morning peak’. Concerns had been raised around accessing the technical information required, however as it was important to retain a target which would indicate levels of congestion, it was proposed to include indicator NI 178 which related to bus services.
• LAA indicator 186 ‘Per Capita reduction in CO2 emissions in the LA area’ it was stated that following further consideration of the technical specification, this indicator may be difficult to monitor.  It was proposed to replace with Indicator NI 185, which focused on the Local Authority operations.

Currently it was not clear as to how the local indicators would be counted, however it was important to have clarity on the impact of the indicators and how they would assist the authority achieve its priorities.  

Members made the following comments:

• There was a need to ensure that the funding streams were protected and that indicators were robustly monitored.
• Responding to a question about the reward grant, the officer stated that Government was considering models of Reward Grant, but that there was no agreement to date.
• In response to a question relating to economic development, it was stated that LAA indicator 171 ‘New Business Registration Rate’ would be a mechanism to monitor economic development.  Consideration would be given in the future for an indicator which was aligned to Gross Value Added (GVA).
• The indicators outlined on pages 100/101 would need to be robustly monitored as many were joint targets which relied on other public bodies e.g Highways Authority, PCT.  The public needed to become aware of the targets that were to be achieved as they would have a direct impact on individuals and their communities. 
• Whilst a specific indicator could not be selected to measure congestion in the county, it was a major issue that needed to be addressed.

RESOLVED: That the proposed list of Indicators included in the LAA be supported, subject to the amendments as outlined above.

It was noted that a final version of the LAA indicators would be submitted to Cabinet on 29 May 2008 for approval.