NELC Council Plan 2012-15

Council Plan2012 to 2015

ContentsIntroduction ......................................................................................................................03

Our vision and values ...........................................................................................04

Our equality statement .....................................................................................05

Working in partnership .......................................................................................05

Achievements in 2011/12 ................................................................................06

Our priorities and outcomes .......................................................................07

Our finances ....................................................................................................................08

Our priorities outcomes and indicators ........................................11

Our key projects .........................................................................................................14

How we will report on progress ..............................................................14

Council Plan 2012/2015

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Welcome to the Council Plan for North East Lincolnshire. This plan sets out the main work we will be focusing on from April 2012 to March 2015. It has been produced so that our residents, our communities, our partners and other external organisations can see clearly what we are trying to achieve with the resources available to us. This plan does not include all of the services that we deliver or all of the activities that we are engaged in. Instead, it concentrates on issues that will make the biggest difference to the lives of those who live in, work in, invest in or visit North East Lincolnshire.

Once again we have looked at what people are telling us about their lives in this area and we have reviewed our priorities. These are to ensure that:

All people in North East Lincolnshire benefit from a strong economy

All children, young people and adults learn and are ready for work

All people in North East Lincolnshire enjoy good health and wellbeing

To support these we are working on a fourth priority - to become a smaller and smarter council so that all people benefit from an efficient and effective council.

This plan covers three very difficult years. By 2015 we will need to have reduced our expenditure by £43 million compared to the position in 2010/11. In the last year we have balanced our budget and have substantially met our savings targets and we are confident that we have the right plans in place to make the remaining reduction in future years. These are hard times for everyone and some of our decisions will have to be tough ones. We are working to make sure that those decisions have the least possible impact on the important services on which our residents (especially the most vulnerable) and our communities rely. We will also continue to work with our partners and others in our community, to ensure every pound is well spent, focusing on where the need is greatest.

Nationally, the agenda remains one of shifting power from central government back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils. This provides many opportunities for us to engage with local people about running services and managing assets and it also enables us to manage our business in new ways. We look forward to the opportunities that this will give us to be even more responsive to local needs and aspirations and shape North East Lincolnshire to be a borough of opportunity where people want to live, work, invest and visit.

Councillor Chris Shaw, Leader of the Council

Tony Hunter, Chief Executive

Introduction

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Our vision and values

Valuing peopleWe want our citizens to be better informed, involved and listened to. Within the council we want our employees to feel confident, respected and have a high morale.

HonestyWe want the council to be seen as trustworthy with everyone feeling able to question, challenge and express opinions.

Striving for continuous improvementWe want our citizens to receive better care and have an improved quality of life. Within the council

we want our employees to focus on efficiency and improvements and have a can-do attitude.

CommitmentWe want greater community and citizen engagement to improve the area. Within the council we want everyone to be willing to go the extra mile and enjoy their work.

Behaving with integrityWe want our citizens to understand what can and cannot be done and to be confident in what is happening. There will be respect across all parts of the council and our values will be embedded.

OpennessWe want the council to be seen as transparent and an organisation that is responsive. Everyone in the council will be kept informed and have a positive attitude.

Our vision is to become a commissioning, enabling and facilitating organisation, focused on creating the right conditions for individuals, communities and businesses to prosper.

The six values that will guide our activities are:


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Working in partnership

Our equality statementThe council is committed to eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advancing equality of opportunity between different groups and fostering good relations between groups. The council will ensure that all services are provided fairly and without discrimination.

Reasonable adjustments will be made so that services are accessible to everyone who needs them. People’s cultural and language needs will be recognised and services will be commissioned, delivered or facilitated which are appropriate to those needs.

The council will work towards creating a workforce which reflects the borough’s population and it will ensure that no one is unfairly discriminated against when applying for a job or during the course of their employment with the council.

North East Lincolnshire Council has a strong commitment to partnership working to improve efficiency and to better meet needs. The council has been at the forefront of innovative partnership development, with the Care Trust Plus and Balfour Beatty Living Places. In 2011 we entered into a partnership with Serco for schools improvement services.

The council continues to actively seek and develop effective partnership working with other public bodies such as health, fire, police, probationary services and the voluntary and community sector. We will be placing a particular emphasis on increasing engagement with our communities to help shape services.

A core part of the council’s ambitious agenda is being delivered through its new commissioning and delivery team. The team will support our technical specialists to continue to make the most impact we can from our resources. To do this we will review how we currently deliver services and develop innovative new solutions for and with people in our community.

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Achievements in 2011/12We have looked back at the financial year of April 2011 to March 2012 and chosen a selection of our achievements to give a picture of the way that we are working across our community to bring in more funding and to bring new facilities and opportunities into our area. Many of these have been made possible by the hard work and co-operation of our partners, employees and individuals in our community. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them.

We have secured Enterprise Zone status for the Port of Grimsby. This brings incentives for business such as reduced rates, a simplified planning regime and access to superfast broadband. It is anticipated that by 2015 approximately 14 businesses will be established creating around 700 direct jobs and 1,190 indirect jobs.

This year we prevented more than 400 households from becoming homeless and the numbers of statutory homeless applications have been successfully reduced by 23 per cent through the Home Choice Lincs service.

This year the Community Investment team activity has assisted 386 people off benefits into employment, given support to over 690 residents and has created 149 jobs.

We have continued to have success with our young people leaving school to enter further learning, training or employment. Some 97 per cent of our year 11 and 12 leavers had an offer of learning or training, and 98.3 per cent of our 17-year-olds have had an offer of learning or training, although some of them may not take up the offer. Those who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) are supported by personal advisers and the number of NEETs was 376 as at September 2011, some 88 less than the same period in 2010, despite the current economic climate.

We have developed better respite care for children with significant complex health issues, at Cromwell House. The facility will allow increased family choice in an environment designed to provide safe, high quality care. Staff ensure that any child taking a break there has a fun experience with a home-from-home feel.

We have improved our clinical training and supervision for those working with children with

complex health and care needs. This means that there are now more people qualified to offer respite care locally.

Over the past year external cash and support to the value of £426,000 has been accessed for local sport and cultural activities. This has been vital to ensure that these activities and the local sport and culture sector can grow and flourish, for the benefit of the health and wellbeing of a wide range of people.

We were awarded £150,000 of ‘Inspired Facilities’ lottery funding to match our own money for the refurbishment of King George V Athletics Stadium.

Over 19,500 young adults have attended the multi-agency diversionary activity programme. This programme has also supported the decrease in youth-related anti-social behaviour incidents. From April to December 2011 there was a 27 per cent decrease in such incidents compared to the same time the previous year.

Over 5,000 people have participated in the ‘Active Seniors’ programme. This programme aims to increase sport and physical activity for older people across community facilities. It has been recognised by London 2012 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games as a truly inspirational project, supporting the Olympic values in encouraging more people to be active.

Through a mix of external and our own funding, the Doughty Gallery was created in the Fishing Heritage Centre to showcase the 200 items donated by local Grimsby man Wilfred Vere Doughty.

We achieved awards for our open spaces, including a Blue Flag award for the quality of Cleethorpes beach, Green Flag awards for five of our parks, and a Heritage Flag for People’s Park. Through magnificent community effort we were also awarded the East Midlands in Bloom gold award for Cleethorpes and silver gilt awards for Grimsby and Immingham.

Throughout the year we had over 600,000 customer contacts through our telephone contact centre and customer access points. 75% thought our face-to-face service was good and 96% felt that our telephone service was good.

We have restructured our strategic support services and this has achieved a saving of £500,000 to date.


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Our priorities and the outcomes we are working towards achieving:

All people in North East Lincolnshire benefit from a strong economy

A1 Grow businesses and jobs in North East Lincolnshire

A2 Bridge the skills gap of local people

A3 Improve places where people can live and work in North East Lincolnshire

All children, young people and adults learn and are ready for work

B1 All children and young people achieve their best in education, are ready for work and have skills for life

B2 All children and young people are involved in developments that affect them

All people in North East Lincolnshire enjoy good health and wellbeing

C1 All children and young people grow up healthy, emotionally secure and confident

C2 Outcomes for looked after children will be at least as good as those of all other children and young people

C3 All residents experience reduced levels of crime and anti-social behaviour

C4 All residents live in a safe environment

C5 Vulnerable and older residents are helped to live independently and manage their own lives

C6 Lives and life chances for children with a disability and additional needs are improved

C7 People benefit from action taken to prevent early deaths and the onset of disease or disability

C8 The mental health and wellbeing of all people is improved, especially those in the most deprived communities

All people benefit from an efficient and effective council

D1 All people benefit from the council working in a way that gives better value for money

D2 Information and technology is used in a way that supports achievement of our outcomes in the council plan

D3 Open, transparent and effective decision-making reflects engagement and good governance

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7m

2014/15

13m 2012/13

14m 2011/12

9m 2013/14

2012/13 is the second year of the four-year programme of the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review. This review reflected the Government’s deficit reduction programme through to 2014/15. Last year, the council and its partners responded to this by developing its budget and medium term financial plan to reduce overall spending in line with expected levels of resources the council will receive. Additional spending pressures have arisen throughout the course of 2011/12 which have consequently meant that additional efficiencies have been required. Over the four-year period from 2011/12 to 2014/15, the level of efficiencies the council needs to achieve is £43 million. This equates to £30,000 for every single day from April 2011 through to March 2015. The timing of when those efficiencies need to be delivered during the period 2011/12 through to 2014/15 is shown to the right graphically.

Despite the unprecedented financial challenges we continue to maintain a sound financial position and sustainable spending plans. These plans include increases in council tax over the medium term (zero percent in 2012/13, three per cent in 2013/14 and three per cent in 2014/15). This is supported by sustainable and affordable borrowing for investment. Balances held in reserve are adequate and can meet urgent needs if required.

Our finances


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Revenue budget 2012/13The chart below shows the planned spending for each of the council’s main service areas.

WHERE THE COUNCIL SPENDS MONEY (£349.0M)

14.4%

51.8%

29.2%

4.6%

14.4% Environment, Economy & Housing (£50.1m)51.8% People & Communities (£180.7m)29.2% Resources (£102.0m)4.6% Other budgets (£16.2m)

Friday, 25 May 2012

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19.8%

18.3%

10.8%12.6%

17.1%

20.8%

0.6%

19.8% Formula Grant (£69.2m)18.3% Dedicated Schools Grant (£63.8m)10.8% Other Government Grant (£37.8m)12.6% Fees, Charges & Other Income (£44.1m)17.1% Council Tax (£59.5m)20.8% Benefits Grant (£72.5m)0.6% Funded from Reserves (£2.1m)

Friday, 25 May 2012

Revenue budget 2012/13Council tax meets about £1 of every £6 spent. Fees and charges to service users and contributions from reserves are slightly less. The balance comes from national taxation. The chart below shows where the money comes from (£349.0m):

WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM (£349.0M)

£48m

£10m

£6m£2m£1m£3m

£48m Borrowing£10m Government grants£6m Capital receipts£2m Earmarked reserves£1m Revenue contributions£3m External funding

Friday, 25 May 2012

We remain committed to supporting capital investment to deliver the council’s priorities. Over the period 2012/13 to 2016/17 the council is planning to invest £70 million, with the largest proportion of this being from within its own resources.

However, the ability to resource and deliver all of the council plan priorities and aspirations will be subject to attracting and securing additional external funding. This will be a significant challenge, particularly when considering the general economic climate.

The following table indicates how the council is planning to fund the investment in capital projects:

WHERE THE MONEY FOR CAPITAL COMES FROM (£70M)

Capital investment


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Council Plan 2012-15: Table of priorities, outcomes and indicators

Priority: All people in North East Lincolnshire benefit from a strong economy

Outcomes The indicators we will use to measure our progress towards our outcomes

A1 – Grow businesses and jobs in North East Lincolnshire

A1.1 Sustain economic growth and investment coming into North East Lincolnshire

A1.2 Reduce the number of unemployed residents in North East Lincolnshire

A1.3 Residents in North East Lincolnshire achieve higher incomes

A1.4 Increase in the number of people supported to access employment opportunities

A1.5 Create and sustain local businesses

A2 – Bridge the skills gap of local people

A2.1 Increase the number of people achieving skills and qualifications to access employment opportunities

A2.2 Improve higher level skills and qualifications of local residents

A3 – Improve places where people can live and work in North East Lincolnshire

A3.1 Improve neighbourhoods and housing

A3.2 Improve public transport access to jobs and services

Priority: All children, young people and adults learn and are ready for work


B1 – All children and young people achieve their best in education, are ready for work and have skills for life

B1.1 Attainment levels and achievement for all children and young people are raised

B1.2 The gap in educational attainment between vulnerable groups and average attainment levels is reduced

B1.3 People progress to further education, training or employment

B2 – All children and young people are involved in developments that affect them

B2.1 Children and young people are routinely engaged in current services and relevant new developments

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Priority: All people in North East Lincolnshire enjoy good health and wellbeing


C1 – All children and young people grow up healthy, emotionally secure and confident

C1.1 Children and young people have positive mental health

C1.2 Children and young people have healthy lifestyles

C1.3 Families are effective in parenting and nurturing their children

C2 – Outcomes for looked after children will be at least as good as those of all other children and young people

C2.1 The gap in educational attainment for looked after children is reduced

C2.2 The health and wellbeing of looked after children is improved

C3 – All residents experience reduced levels of crime and anti-social behaviour

C3.1 Crime levels are reduced

C3.2 Reduction in crime/anti-social behaviour with target groups

C3.3 More people participating in positive activities

C4 – All residents live in a safe environment

C4.1 Children and young people are protected from death or serious injury on the roads

C4.2 Children and young people are protected from neglect or abuse, including substance misuse and domestic violence

C4.3 The community is protected from environmental risks including unsafe food, pollution, health and safety at work, unsafe products, housing, infectious diseases, sanitation problems

C4.4 The community is protected from consumer fraud and other practices that affect their economic well being

C5 – Vulnerable and older residents are helped to live independently and manage their own lives

C5.1 More residents are able to live in their own home for longer

C5.2 More residents are able to access affordable financial services and advice

C5.3 Percentage of vulnerable people achieving independent living

C5.4 Percentage of vulnerable people who are supported to maintain independent living

C6 – Lives and life chances for children with a disability and additional needs are improved

C6.1 Transition to adulthood is smooth and successful

C6.2 Children and their families receive timely and effective multi- agency support for their complex health needs / life limiting illnesses

C6.3 Children and young people have access to universal services including opportunities for sport, leisure and cultural activities

Priorities continued


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Priorities continued

Priority: All people benefit from an efficient and effective council


D1 – All people benefit from the council working in a way that gives better value for money

D1.1 Improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of the use of our resources

D1.2 Positive return on investment for our Future Shape programme

D1.3 Residents and businesses work with the council to design and deliver services in the most cost-effective way

D1.4 Improved delivery of outcomes with our partners

D1.5 Increased understanding in the community of what their money is being spent on

D1.6 Satisfaction with value for money

D1.7 Savings targets achieved whist maintaining delivery of our outcomes

D1.8 Reduction in council accommodation

D1.9 Greater efficiency in running our assets

D2 – Information and technology are used in a way that supports achievement of our outcomes in the Council Plan

D2.1 Higher levels of satisfaction with our web presence

D2.2 Reduction in transaction costs

D2.3 Improved value for money resulting from ICT investment

D3 – Open, transparent and effective decision-making reflects engagement and good governance

D3.1 Improved transparency of decision making

D3.2 On track to deliver our responsibilities in the Localism Act 2011

Priority: All people in North East Lincolnshire enjoy good health and wellbeing


C7 – People benefit from action taken to prevent early deaths and the onset of disease or disability

C7.1 Reduction in the prevalence of smoking in the population

C7.2 Reduction in infant mortality

C7.3 All adults have healthier lifestyles

C8 – The mental health and wellbeing of all people is improved, especially those in the most deprived communities

C8.1 Improve access to, use of and representation in mental health

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Our key projectsAs well as running a large range of vital services which local people need on a daily basis, North East Lincolnshire Council is also leading a number of major projects which will help us to deliver our priorities in the future.

These major projects are longer-term initiatives, which often involve millions of pounds of funding, and many months of work to realise, but which are vital to enable us to build a stronger local economy, more sustainable communities and a more efficient and effective council for the future. Because these projects are so important to the future of the area and local people we ensure that they are closely managed and monitored.

• Essential repairs to the central library

• Implementation of a new Enterprise Zone at Grimsby docks to provide new jobs

• Construction of a new CATCH 3 facility to provide training and development services to the chemical, renewable and associated industries

• Reducing our office accommodation, and using flexible working to increase productivity

• Reviewing our vehicle fleet to identify efficiencies

• Implementing our ‘Future Shape’ programme to reduce our ‘back office’ running costs, in order to help us protect front-line services to local people

• Sharing our revenues and benefits service with North Lincolnshire Council

• Further integration of public health services and the council

How we will report on our progressEach team within the council knows how its work contributes to achieving our council plan and they will work throughout the three years of the plan to deliver good progress. There are business plans that give more details of how we will deliver this work and the associated spend.

Once each quarter we will produce an in depth report on our progress. This will contain a summary of what has been happening around each of our sixteen outcomes. We will look at how we have performed and how our spending has supported this work. We will be honest and open about any areas where we are not meeting our targets and make plans to get back on track.

Our quarterly report will be presented to Cabinet and the report will be available to all through our website. Anyone can attend the Cabinet meetings and listen

to the discussions about our finances and our performance. Our councillors who sit on our scrutiny panels will also discuss our performance and can select issues to review or ask for more information. Finance and performance will be discussed at their public meetings and all are welcome to attend.

If you have any specific questions about the progress we are making to deliver our outcomes for our community then please contact us and we will be happy to answer them.


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Key contact numbers

For all general enquiries the council’s contact number is (01472) 313131 where an officer will be pleased to put you through to the relevant department.

Listed below are the direct telephone numbers for specific council services:

Housing benefit 01472 323830

Council tax 01472 323840

Street care 01472 324500

Waste and recycling 01472 325841

Phone ’n’ Ride service 01472 324440

Contact

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Request this plan in another languageIf you would like a copy of the Council Plan in another language and/or an alternative format such as large print, Braille and audio please contact the principal equalities officer on: Telephone (01472) 323737 Email: [email protected] Write to: Principal equalities officer, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU

Documents

NELC Council Plan 2012-15