Background Local Public Service Agreements (Local PSAs) were initially created following negotiation between the government and the Local Government Association as a means of developing a better relationship between local and central government, whilst also improving performance. Local PSAs free local authorities, such as ours, to deliver services that focus on and respond to local needs, whilst meeting and exceeding national targets.
A Local PSA involves the council committing itself to achieving 12 tough targets agreed with its regional partners and local people. The targets, which cover both national and local priority issues, are discussed in detail with the government.
These more demanding targets are rewarded with funding as an incentive to achieving better performance. At the beginning, the authority is granted 'pump priming' money to start up the PSA, followed by a reward grant at the end that is based on performance. The government also gives the authority extra freedom, locally, to decide how best to deliver services in order to meet these targets.
Stockton's first PSA
In winter 2000, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council was one of the first 20 authorities in the country chosen to pilot the Local PSA process. We agreed our Local PSA with the government and that ran from April 2001 to March 2004. Of the 12 indicators used to determine our performance, 71% have been achieved in full. Key improvements delivered through the Local PSA include:
- More of our pupils have achieved the expected standards at Key Stage 3 in science and numeracy than ever before at 67% and 69% respectively.
- A greater proportion of people have been able to successfully find employment from the New Deal 18-24 programme, increasing from 25.5% in 2000 to 46% in 2004.
- 97% of highways are of a high or acceptable standard of cleanliness, up from 55% in 2001.
Further details of our performance at the end of the PSA can be downloaded below (Annex to the Council Plan).
Stockton's Second PSAStockton-on-Tees Borough Council is one of 20 authorities that has negotiated with central government to pilot a second round of Local PSAs. Twelve new indicators have been agreed. The Local PSA will again focus on 'stretching' performance, in return for a performance reward grant.
The aim of the second round of local PSAs is to build on the success of the first and allow local and central government to continue to develop innovative ways of tackling the issues that matter most to local people. We are hoping to maintain and improve on our success in achieving the targets that resulted from the first round of Local PSAs.
