Performance improvement and efficiency England/Wales

   

Audit Commission key docs

• 28 January 2008

  Audit Commission: Summary of use of resources scores 2007 This report summarises the use of resources scores for single tier and county councils and district councils for 2007. Separate sections within the report examine the scores for each type of council.

   

• 17 May 2007

  Seeing the light Audit Commission report which is intended to encourage local authorities to consider innovation as one way of achieving sustained performance improvement. By providing practical advice and support, based on authorities' own experiences of innovating, it aims to assist in creating the conditions in which innovation is fostered, developed and managed effectively

   

 

Performance management

• 15 October 2008

  Don't get caught in the the regulation funding loop For assistance with board appraisal and training, governance, performance improvement, inspection, business planning, options appraisals and funding solutions HQN is available to help at all stops

   

• 9 October 2008

  Housing IT solutions Network briefing by Louise Russell sets out the work that needs to be undertaken in the planning and pre-procurement stages when considering the introduction of a new integrated housing management system

   

• 30 September 2008

  Quality counts - A brief guide to quality standards and systems Network briefing by Cathy Jackson provides an overview of some of the key quality standards used by housing organisations, and whether anecdotal evidence would suggest that those organisations which have achieved externally assessed quality marks have improved their ratings in audit commission inspections

   

• 29 July 2008

  Roles and responsibilities in the local performance framework This document provides an overview of what councils, Local Strategic Partnerships, Government Offices, Inspectorates and central government departments will be doing to implement the new local performance framework following sign-off of Local Area Agreements in June 2008

   

• 4 March 2008

  Learning, Improvement and Innovation in Local Government Final Report of the Beacon Scheme Evaluation

   

• 12 February 2008

  Analysis of local authority housing management performance 2006/07 HQN’s annual analysis by Professor Hal Pawson of local authority performance shows costs stabilising while repairs and relets get faster and arrears reduce

   

• 11 February 2008

  Delivering economic prosperity in partnership: the crucial role of the new local performance framework CLG narrative which provides information about how the new local performance framework for local authorities working alone or in partnership will operate to drive improved economic outcomes for local areas.

   

• 4 January 2008

  Climate change and sustainability The crucial role of the new local performance framework

   

• 21 December 2007

  Building cohesive communities: The crucial role of the new local performance framework The Lyons report on the future of local government was clear that the placeshaping role of local authorities includes maintaining the cohesiveness of communities. This narrative provides information about how the new local performance framework for local authorities working alone or in partnership will work to engage and empower local communities

   

• 23 November 2007

  Ground breaking Corporation survey seeks to gain nationwide picture of local authority views on housing associations The Housing Corporation is inviting local authorities across England to take part in an online survey to provide feedback on their views of the performance of housing associations working in their areas

   

• 9 October 2007

  Housing Corporation circular 08/07 - Validation of performance reporting systems This circular replaces circular 06/04 - External validation of performance reporting systems of housing associations (August 2004)

   

 

Guidance and briefings

• 11 July 2008

  Rewarding awards? Network briefing by Cathy Jackson provides a flavour of some of the key awards that are available

   

• 19 September 2007

  Equality impact assessments Network briefing by Joanna Jeffery and Richard Seager examines the benefits of carrying out EIAs and offers practical guidance

   

• 5 September 2007

  New KLOEs for old? Network briefing by John Wheeldon outlines changes to the Audit Commission's Key Lines of Enquiry and offers tips on self- assessment

   

• 31 August 2007

  The Commission on Integration and Cohesion report: Our shared future Network briefing by Vanessa Morton outlines the report's themes and highlights the main recommendations on housing

   

• 18 May 2007

  Wales Audit Office unveils The Good Practice Exchange The Wales Audit Office has launched the Good Practice Exchange - an interactive online site which is designed to help public services improve, in Wales, the UK and beyond

   

• 8 March 2007

  The Cave Review of housing regulation: responses Network briefing by Janis Bright examines the key themes emerging and provides a summary of points from a range of leading organisations

   

• 9 January 2007

  Capability review of Communities and Local Government Network briefing by Doug Edmonds summarises the capability review of CLG

   

 

BV reviews

• 30 September 2008

  Quality counts - A brief guide to quality standards and systems Network briefing by Cathy Jackson provides an overview of some of the key quality standards used by housing organisations, and whether anecdotal evidence would suggest that those organisations which have achieved externally assessed quality marks have improved their ratings in audit commission inspections

   

• 24 May 2007

  Best Value User Satisfaction Survey 2006-07: General Survey National Report This national report presents national results for public satisfaction with local government and its services. The report focuses on the key statutory Best Value performance indicators and a small number of other key indicators

   

 

Efficiency

• 3 November 2008

  Need to squeeze out excellent value for money during these challenging times? There’s no time like now to reinvigorate your strategies for achieving greater efficiency and value. Whether you’re at the start of your journey and need to get to grips with the whole agenda, whether you have undertaken reviews and need to understand your priorities, or whether you’re ready to make the move from ‘good’ to ‘excellent’, HQN have a team of housing finance and performance management specialists who can bring their expertise to your benefit in taking VfM forward

   

• 13 February 2008

  Streamlined Annual Efficiency Statements take burden off housing associations The Housing Corporation has announced that housing associations will be not be required to complete an Annual Efficiency Statement for 2008. The statement, which has been a sector requirement for housing associations over the past two years, will this year be collected from data supplied by housing associations in their self assessment compliance submissions

   

• 17 January 2008

  Local government partnerships to deliver £5bn efficiency drive Local Government Minister John Healey today announced £185m support for councils to help them unlock £4.9bn in efficiency savings, improve services and meet the rising expectations of their local communities.

   

• 16 October 2007

  Delivering Value for Money in Local Government: Meeting the challenge of CSR07 Greater value for money - efficiency - will be key to meeting the challenge of improving local services within the resources available. Councils, along with the rest of the public sector, are expected to deliver 3 per cent per annum efficiency gains in CSR07; CLG document outlines the ways in which this expectation may be delivered and the activities planned to support their implementation

   

 

Action plans

No documents under this category

 

PIs and benchmarking

• 18 November 2008

  Latest key housing association performance indicators published Results on average across the sector and across the range of PIs are consistent with last year’s results. However there remain significant differences between those at the upper and those at the lower ends of the performance spectrum

   

• 30 June 2008

  Target shake up delivers stronger focus on issues that matter to the public The results of a comprehensive shake up of council targets and priorities are now published. The priorities - agreed in partnership with central government - show the pattern of issues across England that councils will now have to grapple with over the next three years. Councils will now need to devote considerable energy to ensuring their communities feel safer, that tackling serious violence and anti-social behaviour is a major priority, and that tackling unemployment and teenage pregnancy is comprehensively addressed

   

• 12 May 2008

  Performance indicators for the year ending 31 March 2009 This document provides clarification on the Housing Corporations performance indicator suite for the year ending 31 March 2009

   

• 12 May 2008

  National Indicators for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships: Handbook of Definitions This publication gives final detailed definitions for 198 national indicators following consultation on their proposed definition

   

• 27 March 2008

  National indicators for local authorities and local authority partnerships: update on publication of the final definitions for the national indicator set This publication gives final detailed definitions for 138 of the national indicators out of the total of 198 that were announced in October 2007 together with a short update on arrangements for publication of the final handbook

   

• 18 March 2008

  The Housing Quality Network revised performance indicator handbook for councils 2008 Part three Housing Benefit performance – based on performance during 2007/8

   

• 10 March 2008

  The Housing Quality Network revised performance indicator handbook for councils 2008 Part 2 Homelessness PI’s – based on performance during 2007/08

   

• 4 March 2008

  The Housing Quality Network revised performance indicator handbook for councils 2008 Part 1 Housing PI’s – based on performance during 2007/8

   

• 4 March 2008

  National Indicators for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships Update on publication of the final definitions for the national indicator set

   

• 14 November 2007

  Revised performance indicator handbook for housing associations The handbook has been revised, updated and new material written by HQN Associate John Wheeldon

   

• 13 November 2007

  National Indicators for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships The Local Government White Paper Strong and Prosperous Communities published in October last year, committed to introducing a set of streamlined indicators that would reflect national priority outcomes for local authorities working alone or in partnership. A single set of 198 national indicators was announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007

   

• 13 November 2007

  National Indicators for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships: Handbook of definitions - Draft for Consultation As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review announcement the Government recently published the single set of 198 national indicators that will underpin the new performance framework. The Government is now consulting on the detailed definitions of the set to ensure that the methodology for measuring individual national indicators at a local level is sound. The consultation seeks views on the methodology, frequency of reporting and data source of each individual indicator. Closing date for consultation 21 December 2007

   

• 13 November 2007

  National Indicators for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships: Handbook of definitions - Draft for Consultation As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review announcement the Government recently published the single set of 198 national indicators that will underpin the new performance framework. The Government is now consulting on the detailed definitions of the set to ensure that the methodology for measuring individual national indicators at a local level is sound. The consultation seeks views on the methodology, frequency of reporting and data source of each individual indicator. Closing date for consultation 21 December 2007

   

• 28 August 2007

  Your questions answered: the Housing Corporation's new performance indicator suite Network briefing by John Wheeldon tackles common problems with definitions, validation, void periods, appointments and STATUS questions

   

• 8 June 2007

  Update on the Housing Corporation’s new performance indicator suite Network briefing by John Wheeldon advises on what to look for, common pitfalls and timetabling for the new PI suite

   

• 26 February 2007

  Lifting the Burdens Task Force The Task Force is an independent practitioner body that has been set up to review the bureaucratic and performance management burdens that exist as a consequence of the current relationship between Central and Local Government

   

• 25 January 2007

  Analysis of local authority housing management performance 2005/6 The latest briefing in our annual series of performance indicator analyses by Hal Pawson

   

 

KLOEs

• 4 February 2008

  Audit Commission consultation on proposed revisions for Key Lines of Enquiry 10 – Supporting People Network briefing by Lesley Healey summarises the main changes proposed for KLOE 10 and some of the themes that emerge in this latest review

   

• 9 January 2008

  KLOE consultation launched Supporting People KLOE consultation. Closing date for consultation 13.2.08

   

• 5 September 2007

  New KLOEs for old? Network briefing by John Wheeldon outlines changes to the Audit Commission's Key Lines of Enquiry and offers tips on self- assessment

   

• 7 March 2007

  Consultation on amended key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) The Audit Commission Housing Inspectorate introduced key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) in 2004 as part of the new method for inspecting housing services. At the time the Commission stated that it would periodically review the KLOEs to ensure they remain relevant and up to date. Consultation on KLOE 7 Allocations and lettings and KLOE 8 Homelessness and housing need - responses by 16.3.07

   

• 5 February 2007

  Audit commission KLOE consultation The Housing Inspectorate is consulting on proposed changes to the KLOEs: KLOE 7 Allocations and lettings and KLOE 8 Homelessness and housing need. The closing date for responses is 16 March 2007