Norfolk Ambition

1
Norfolk Ambition

• Introduction to Local Area Agreements

2
What is a Local Area Agreement?

• An agreement with central government to improve
  the specific outcomes in an area
• Freedom on how to achieve the outcome is what
  matters
• Dismantling some ring fencing around some funding
  streams
• Achieved through partnership

3
What can be included?

• 4 blocks
• Safer and stronger communities
• Children and young people
• Healthier communities and older people
• Economic regeneration

4
How do they work?

• Set of outcomes agreed
• Targets negotiated
• Funding streams identified and agreed
• Performance managed locally
• Central Government monitors outcomes

5
More about the funding streams

• Covers additional funding streams - not
  mainstream funding
• For example
• Childrens Fund Sure Start Teenage
• pregnancy
• Liveability Fund anti-social behaviour
• CDRP allocation

6
Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

• NRF to be built into Agreements, but still
  targeted at specific neighbourhood renewal area

7
Safer, stronger communities

• Changes from 2005/6 already underway
• Package of funding streams to be brought together
• Effectively a mini-LAA
• Same principles and arrangements

8
Funding

• In principle, funds can be spent on activities
  within the block

9
Roles and responsibilities

• Partnership is a pre-requisite
• Local Authority responsible, in partnership with
  CSP, for
• driving the LAA
• ensuring delivery of outcomes
• establishing a performance framework

10
Roles and responsibilities - 2

• Two-tiers - CSP leads negotiations
• County Council is the accountable body for
  funds included in the LAA

11
GO-East

• Significant role for Government Offices
• Will represent central government
• Will oversee negotiations
• Broker the LAA
• Monitor agreements

12
Link with LPSA2

• Elsewhere, LPSAs will be negotiated alongside the
  Local Area Agreement
• Norfolks LPSA signed March 05
• Its outcomes and targets dovetail well with the
  LAA blocks
• Well-placed, given the ground work of the LPSA

13
Whats in it for Norfolk?

• Renewed focus on outcomes not processes
• Shared, streamlined targets around issues we all
  struggle with
• Better value for money from existing funds
• Less central monitoring and reporting

14
Experience from pilots LAAs

• Concentrate first on outcomes - what is it you
  want to achieve
• Consider the scale of ambition
• Two-tier LAAs are complex to work through
• It will test, but should strengthen partnership
  working

15
Experience from pilots LAAs - 2

• Build on existing engagement to draw in wider
  community and voluntary sector
• Mainly positive feedback on role of Government
  Offices
• Mix of policy, process and programme management
  skills required

16
Timetable 2nd round Pilots

• 22nd June Norfolk announced as Pilot
• July Sept develop clear vision for LAA, built
  on priorities in Community Strategies
• 30th Sept submission to GO-East of high level
  outcomes and priorities
• Oct Feb negotiation on delivery, targets,
  timescales and funding streams to be pooled,
  aligned
• 24th March 06 sign off LAA