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There are thirteen targets making up the PSA and at least seven must reflect national targets. Targets for Education, Social Services and Transport must feature in the PSA. As must a target for “continuous improvement” (i.e. the Authority must be able to demonstrate it is attaining Best Value through the efficient and effective use of resources). Five Targets reflect local priorities. Outcomes must be expressed in terms of quantifiable targets.
From the outset the County Council worked with the six Cheshire District Councils on producing Cheshire’s PSA. The Cheshire Police and Fire Authorities, the Probation Service and other organisations represented on the Cheshire Partnership were also closely involved.
The theme adopted for the PSA was Improving Services for All through Partnership and this builds on the themes developed in the Cheshire Partnership’s Community Strategy. A total of thirteen stretch targets (linked to the Community Strategy themes) were identified.
The formal signing of the PSA between the government and Cheshire County Council was on 4 July 2002 and covers the period April 2002 – March 2005.
The benefits of a PSA are:
- Pump-priming funding of up to around £1.5m
- Access to “unsupported credit approvals” of £3m allowing the Council to increase its borrowing to fund roads maintenance
- Performance Reward Grant (PRG) of up to £15m, if the stretch targets (reducing on a sliding scale for partial achievements of 60% or more) are achieved.
- Limited additional freedoms and flexibilities from Government regulations and requirements.
However, perhaps the most, significant benefit of the PSA is its potential for focusing the efforts of Council services and partners in driving up performance in agreed priority areas by providing a clear financial incentive to do so. |