LAAs

The Cumbria Agreement (LAA)

The Cumbria Agreement is the name of the Local Area Agreement (LAA) for the county. The Cumbria Agreement is a 3 year plan that sets out key improvement targets for Cumbria. Achievement of these targets will reflect significant progress towards achieving the long-term vision and outcomes agreed in the Cumbria Community Strategy 2008 - 2028.

The Cumbria Agreement is developed and delivered through the Cumbria Strategic Partnership (CSP). The Cumbria Strategic Partnership (CSP) is the countywide partnership in Cumbria which brings together partners representing public, private and third sector organisations. It is responsible, on behalf of the County Council, for developing and implementing the Cumbria Community Strategy and the Cumbria Agreement.

Cumbria County Council is the ‘responsible authority’ for the development and delivery of the Agreement, and for ensuring appropriate arrangements are in place across the partnership to effectively monitor and manage performance.

The second Cumbria Agreement was agreed with partners in the first half of 2008 and went into operation from 1st April 2008. The Agreement runs for 3 years ending on 31st March 2011.

The Agreement comprises of a number of targets. Thirty-five of these targets were negotiated with Central Government, through Government Office North West (GONW). These are the 'designated' targets. There are 16 statutory targets included that focus on education and early years.

There are also a number of 'local' targets included that have been agreed as priorities amongst partners in Cumbria.

The Agreement also includes the 12 'legacy’ stretch targets that have been carried forward from the first Cumbria Agreement which ran from 1st April 2007 until 31st March 2008.

The Cumbria Community Strategy and Cumbria Agreement documents are accessible through the CSP website – link below.

Delivering and Managing the Agreement

The LAA will be delivered by partners working together.  The Thematic Partnerships of the CSP will co-ordinate the plans for delivery, and will monitor and manage performance. The CSP Executive Board will take an overview of performance across the Agreement. The LAA Governance Framework sets out the roles and responsibilities of partners and partnerships involved in delivering and managing the agreement.

Each target in the Agreement is led by one of the 7 Thematic Partnerships, although a range of other partners and partnerships may be involved in delivering the target. The Lead Thematic Partnership has responsibility for co-ordinating delivery and performance management in respect of the particular target. Quarterly performance reports are considered by the CSP Executive Board.

Performance reports and further information about delivery can be accessed through the CSP website – link below.

Reviewing the Agreement

Government requires areas to undertake a formal annual review of the Agreement. This is integrated into the performance management cycle in place in Cumbria. 

The Thematic Partnerships of the CSP will be co-ordinating this work. Thematic Partnerships will be considering 6 month performance reports (up to 30th September 2008) in November 2008. As a result of this, and other new evidence, proposals will be made for any necessary changes to the Agreement; this involves:

·                   checking that the indicators included the Agreement still accurately reflect priorities

·                   updating baselines to the latest validated figures

·                   checking that the 3 year targets set against the indicators remain challenging and realistic and, where appropriate, asking GONW to re-negotiate the target

·                   checking that the all the partners signed up to delivery of each target are named in the Agreement

This will result in a 'refreshed' Cumbria Agreement 2008 - 2011 being agreed by partners in early spring 2009 and receiving Ministerial sign-off in April 2009. Cumbria County Council Cabinet will consider the refreshed Cumbria Agreement on 3rd February 2009 alongside the new Council Plan.

LAA Reward Scheme

There is potential for Cumbria to receive some Performance Reward Grant from Central Government based on performance against the targets agreed in the Cumbria Agreement. 

There are 3 streams of Performance Reward Grant related to the current Cumbria Agreement - more information on this is contained in the LAA Reward Scheme briefing available on the CSP website - link below.

Further information

Information about the development and delivery of the Community Strategy and Cumbria Agreement is regularly updated on the CSP website so that all partners can access up to date information – link below.

Useful links and contacts

For further information regarding the LAA please contact Clare Killeen, Senior Policy Officer, on: 01228 226514 or email Clare at the address below.

The contact for further information about the development of Cumbria's Community Strategy and the Cumbria Strategic Partnership (CSP) is Sue Stevenson, CSP Manager, email sue.stevenson@cumbriacc.gov.uk or telephone 01768 242311.

clare.killeen@cumbriacc.gov.uk