9. Performance Plans

9.1 Overview

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to publish various plans, within the Council's “Policy Framework”.  These are generally categorised as:

• Corporate statutory plans - Community Plan/Best Value Performance Plan (BVPP) are BVPP’s still applicable?
• Service statutory plans - e.g. Education/School Development Plan
• Local requirements - such as Service Plans

All of the statutory plans are particularly important as they give an indication of the Council’s standing for inspection, audit and grant bidding purposes.

Corporate Plans need to take account of the Council’s corporate objectives, as do Service Plans, but these also need to take account of the service improvement priorities.

9.2 Accountability/Responsibility

9.2.1 Council (click here for all responsibilities for Council)

Approving Performance Plans

9.2.1  Chief Executive (click here for all responsibilities for the Chief Executive)

Ensuring Statutory and local plans are produced in accordance with relevant timetables and requirements.

Issuing advice and guidance for the production of performance plans where appropriate. Should this be the Head of Strategic?

9.2.2 Directors (click here for all responsibilities for Directors)

Reviewing Performance Plans to ensure they meet with the corporate objectives and service improvement priorities.

Leading on any development or improvement to the policy on Performance Plans.

Monitoring the performance plans of  the Authority on a monthly basis and challenging Business Unit Heads with regards any variations.

Leading the development of corporate and service targets, objectives and performance indicators and monitoring their implementation.

9.2.3 Section 151 Officer (click here for all responsibilities for the Section 151 Officer)

Assist in supplying and advising on the financial information required for performance plans in accordance with statutory requirements and agreed timetables.

Contributing to the development of corporate and service targets, and objectives and performance information.

Monitoring the overall financial performance of the Authority.

Producing the timetable for the production of budgets.

9.2.4 Business Unit Heads (click here for all responsibilities for Business Unit Heads)

Producing and publishing performance plans for their Services, in accordance with any procedures established by the Chief Executive and Directors.

Contributing to the preparation and development of Performance Plans in line with statutory and local requirements/timetable, taking account of corporate objectives and service improvement priorities.

Implementation of approved Performance Plans.

Monitoring and reporting on Performance Plans to Directors’ Management Team on a monthly basis.

9.3 Policy (click here for the detailed procedures)

It is important that all plans reflect the Council’s Financial Strategies and vice-versa. They must contribute to and support the Community Plan through Best Value Performance Plans (BVPP) and where appropriate be produced in accordance with statutory regulations.  All plans must be consistent with each other.

Part IV illustrates the links between the Community and Council plans.