A full copy of the Corporate Plan 2004/2005 (incorporating the Best Value Performance Plan) is available as a PDF document by clicking here.  (Please note that this is a large file size and may take some time to download)

You will need Adobe Acrobat to view this document - this software can be downloaded for free from www.adobe.com.

What is the Corporate Plan all about?
It’s important to know how your Council is performing and that we’re providing you with value for money and quality services.  We use a process called ‘best value’ to look at how well services are delivered.  This ensures that your Council can make continual progress and identify any areas in your services that might be made better.

We are required by law to provide ‘best value’.  The Corporate Plan sets out what we have achieved, what we need to improve on, and our targets and ambitions for the next year and beyond.  Under the next few headings you will find some of the things that will be included in this plan. 

How are we doing?
Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) is a national Audit Commission assessment of how Councils are run and how their main services perform.  In 2002, Bournemouth was judged as ‘fair’, just one point short of ‘good’.  Our ambition is to achieve ‘excellent’ by the next full assessment in 2006.

In December 2003, the Audit Commission looked to see what progress the Council had made in the last year, and whether we had got better.  They said that service standards overall remain high and recognise that our plans will improve the way the Council is run.

The Housing Service has moved from ‘poor’ to ‘fit for purpose’, the first Authority in the South West to get this rating.  We have improved performance in the way we deal with homelessness, empty properties and standards of private accommodation.  96% of our Council housing has reached the Governments new ‘decent homes’ standard.  This is well ahead of the 2010 deadline.

Education has maintained its 3* rating, making it one of the best education services in the country.  The Benefits section also continues to be a top performing service.  Planning Services has continued to get better with significant improvements in dealing with planning applications.  We have made progress with our plans to improve customer service through easier access to all Council Services and better use of technology.  Our customer contact centre in Technical Services now sort out 76% (previous figure was 69%) of calls from customers at first point of contact.

We have grouped our services together under six priorities that have been developed in partnership with local people, businesses and voluntary groups.  These priorities reflect our shared Community Plan for building a better Bournemouth and are linked to measurable targets for action.  Our Corporate Plan sets out the Council’s contribution to building a better Bournemouth, and includes key ‘quality of life’ indicators for each priority to make sure that what we do is sustainable for you and future generations.

Quality Services and Value for Money
We are determined to build quality, equality and value for money into everything that we do.  This means we have to put your needs first and ensure that all citizens have access to Council services.

Our Service Reviews will help us find ways of improving the quality of our services and making them more effective. Consultation has a vital part to play in best value, so your views will help us shape our services in the future. 

The last Bournemouth Citizens Panel Survey that looked at Council Services was in 2002, results showed highest priority for the following Council Services:

• Council Tax
• Benefits

Key local targets for achieving Quality Services and Value for Money include:

• To provide excellent customer service in Bournemouth particularly through improved use of information technology.
• Implementing a planned programme for improving access to services, including meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
• Consulting local people annually through the Citizens Panel on satisfaction with the way the Council runs things. 

Caring For People
We have a responsibility to improve people’s quality of life and to care for those in need.  We will actively support people to enhance their life chances and to be as independent as possible. 

The Bournemouth Citizens Panel Survey 2003 showed highest priority for:

• Protecting children from abuse
• Reducing the number of people taking drugs

Key local targets for Caring for People include:

• Providing more information on how to live healthily
• Much less people being hurt or killed in road accidents
• Helping older people to stay independent so that they can continue to live in their own homes

Developing Communities And Tackling Crime
Bournemouth is a large urban centre with many diverse communities and differing needs and concerns.  By increasing opportunities for local people to work with members of the Bournemouth Partnership and other agencies, we can make overall improvements to local facilities.  In this way we can create strong, secure and safe communities.

The Bournemouth Citizens Panel Survey 2003 showed highest priority for:

• Reducing drunk or rowdy behaviour in public places
• Reducing the number of people begging and sleeping rough

Key local targets for Developing Communities and Tackling Crime include:

• Reducing the numbers of repeat incidents of domestic violence
• Increasing the proportion of private housing in decent condition occupied by vulnerable people
• Reducing the number of dwelling burglaries recorded annually by the Police

Education and Lifelong Learning
We recognise the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to learning - whatever their age. We are committed to improving quality, supporting school improvement, and encouraging endeavour and achievement. 

The Bournemouth Citizens Panel Survey 2003 results showed highest priority for:

• Improving the skills and employability of people who don’t work
• Improving the achievement of pupils and students

Key local targets for Education and Lifelong Learning include:

• Improving the performance of 11-year-olds in English and Maths
• Reducing the number of pupils leaving school with no qualifications
• Increasing the number of adults participating in learning, including people from under-represented and hard-to-reach groups, and people aged 50+

Strengthening Our Economy
Bournemouth’s employment is based on tourism, leisure, retailing, banking, financial and public services.  The Council and members of the Bournemouth Partnership aim to improve its prosperity and regeneration.

The Bournemouth Citizens Panel Survey 2003 results showed the highest priority for:

• Reducing unemployment
• Improving public transport within the Borough

Key local targets for Strengthening our Economy include:

• Achieving unemployment levels within Bournemouth below the regional average
• Increasing employment opportunities by raising the number of conference visitors to the town
• Improving the skill and training level amongst local businesses

Sustaining Our Environment
Bournemouth has an attractive and valuable environment.  The Council will work together to maintain and improve Bournemouth’s environment for residents and visitors to the town.

The Bournemouth Citizens Panel Survey 2003 showed highest priority for:

• Keeping our parks and beaches clean
• Reducing rubbish and litter on the streets

Key local targets for Sustaining Our Environment include:

• Achieving an overall improvement in the energy efficiency of residential accommodation
• Reducing the rate of growth of traffic on roads
• Reducing the number of abandoned vehicles and vehicle fires

Involving YOU
The Bournemouth Citizens Panel is the key way that both the Council and the Bournemouth Partnership consult with local people.  Information from the Summer 2003 Panel survey coupled with feedback from public workshops, has been used to help Councillors decide priorities for this year’s budget. 

And the Citizens Panel is helping to ‘build a better Bournemouth’ too.  The Summer 2003 Panel survey asked people to prioritise the targets of the Bournemouth Partnership, and the results are being used to help revise and update our Community Plan.

The Bournemouth Citizens Panel has 1200 members and is representative of the wider Bournemouth population in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and residential area.  Every year a third of the Panel’s membership is refreshed from households selected entirely at random, meaning that everyone has an equal chance of being invited to join.