Best Value Performance Plan

Excellent by any Standard

As the new  Leader of Chester City Council  I am pleased to write this forward to the 2007 Best Vale Performance Plan the seventh annual report on how the council has performed over the past year.

This report showcases the work of the council over the last 12 months, delivering services for residents, visitors and businesses.  In 2006 the Audit Commission, in its Annual Audit and Inspection Letter, noted that the "Council continues to make progress in delivering improved outcomes in its priority areas for the local communities".

One of the key achievements in 2006/7 has been the 9% reduction in crime levels achieved in partnership through the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.  The partnership is on target to reduce crime by 15% by 2008. Community Safety is one of the most important priorities of our residents. 

Other important improvements which meet resident's priorities are:

• Improved public spaces and play areas at Newton Fields, Northgate Ponds and Castlefields (Tattenhall).
• An improved website with a new health section where people can find out about walking and cycling routes in Chester, swimming tips and guidance.
• Introduction of the Neighbourhood Payments scheme which provides a network of over 125 outlets in the Chester District where people can pay their Council Tax and other council bills.

Local implementation of the Concessionary Travel Scheme which allows older residents to travel free off-peak across Cheshire has proved very popular with over 9000 new passes being issued.

In the May 2007 the Conservative Party achieved a majority of Councillors on the City Council, the first party to achieve an overall majority since 1986 In our first weeks of administration we have streamlined the Executive structure and reviewed the Scrutiny committee to align them to Executive Member responsibilities. In the next few months we plan to reconstitute Area Committee and implement political structures where every Member can effectively represent their residents and be involved in policy decisions.

Together we will continue to implement the Council's Corporate Plan, focusing in 2007/8 on improvements in the following areas:

• Making Chester District a place where public spaces are cleans and  people once again feel safe to walk (Clean Green and Safe Programme)
• Protecting and enhancing the City's Heritage and restoring its reputation as a place to visit and enjoy (Successful City District and Sub-region Programme)

To keep our commitment to keep Council Tax increases to inflation or below  over the period 2008-2011 we will apply sound management principles and re-examine all priorities to improve the value for money offered by council services.

Our ambition is to work closely with residents, County Council, Health organisations, Fire and Police authorities, local businesses and community groups to deliver first class services.

I look forward to presenting more detailed information on our progress to date and plans for the next three years in the Autumn this year.

Cllr M Parker
Leader, Chester City Council

Download

• Performance Indicator results 2007-8 (54kb)
• Best Value Performance Plan 2007-08 1.06Mb
• Best Value Performance Plan 2006-07 1.36Mb
• Best Value Performance Plan 2006-07 Summary 178kb
• Best Value Performance Plan 2005-06 912kb 
• Best Value Performance Plan - Appendix A Summary of Performance Indicators 135kb
• Best Value Performance Plan 2005-06 Summary 182kb 
• Best Value Performance Plan 2004-5 1.14mb 
• Addendum to BVPP 2004-5 15.3kb 
• Performance Indicator Summary 44.1kb