Menu
04/12/2003
Councils to gain £1.5bn through new service agreements
Councils are set to claim their share of £1.5 billion from the government if they hit new targets on local priorities under the second generation of the local public service agreements (local PSA) scheme.
Under the new guidance, councils will have more leeway to set targets in their local areas in areas such as crime, education standards and providing cleaner streets.
Announcing the new guidance at a conference held at the Local Government Association today, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said: "I am delighted that the local PSA scheme - which started some three years ago - has proved so popular, with almost all of the larger local authorities getting involved.
"At the heart of the new scheme will be an agreement between councils their partners, and government, about priorities for local improvement."
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng said that the second generation of local PSAs should "drive changes forward, seeking to be as radical as possible".
Sir Jeremy Beecham, Chair of the Local Government Association, added: "Local government has great ambitions for improving the quality of life for its local residents, but it cannot succeed alone and needs to use its role as a community leader to work with local partners to tackle the issues which are most important in their communities."
Through local PSAs councils agree performance targets with government and earn a reward grant for meeting these targets. A 'pump priming' grant (the average is £1 million per authority) is given at the start of the process.
(gmcg)
Under the new guidance, councils will have more leeway to set targets in their local areas in areas such as crime, education standards and providing cleaner streets.
Announcing the new guidance at a conference held at the Local Government Association today, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said: "I am delighted that the local PSA scheme - which started some three years ago - has proved so popular, with almost all of the larger local authorities getting involved.
"At the heart of the new scheme will be an agreement between councils their partners, and government, about priorities for local improvement."
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng said that the second generation of local PSAs should "drive changes forward, seeking to be as radical as possible".
Sir Jeremy Beecham, Chair of the Local Government Association, added: "Local government has great ambitions for improving the quality of life for its local residents, but it cannot succeed alone and needs to use its role as a community leader to work with local partners to tackle the issues which are most important in their communities."
Through local PSAs councils agree performance targets with government and earn a reward grant for meeting these targets. A 'pump priming' grant (the average is £1 million per authority) is given at the start of the process.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 January 2005
Campaign launched to improve uptake of council tax benefit
The Government has launched a campaign encouraging pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales to check if they are paying too much council tax. Adverts in the national press carry the message 'cut your council tax – find out if you should be paying less.
Campaign launched to improve uptake of council tax benefit
The Government has launched a campaign encouraging pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales to check if they are paying too much council tax. Adverts in the national press carry the message 'cut your council tax – find out if you should be paying less.
06 April 2004
Project to help vulnerable children praised
A project that uses state of the art technology to identify vulnerable children before they get to the point of offending has been praised by the Local e-Government Minister for successfully concluding the first phase of its pilot scheme.
Project to help vulnerable children praised
A project that uses state of the art technology to identify vulnerable children before they get to the point of offending has been praised by the Local e-Government Minister for successfully concluding the first phase of its pilot scheme.
30 August 2012
Schools Urged To Keep Uniform Costs Down
Schools should take steps to keep school uniform costs down and ensure hard-pressed parents aren't hit with an unnecessary financial burden, local government leaders are warning.
Schools Urged To Keep Uniform Costs Down
Schools should take steps to keep school uniform costs down and ensure hard-pressed parents aren't hit with an unnecessary financial burden, local government leaders are warning.
26 August 2011
Councils To Invest More In Affordable Housing
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has announced Government plans to give councils more financial freedoms to improve, buy and build new housing for their local community.
Councils To Invest More In Affordable Housing
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has announced Government plans to give councils more financial freedoms to improve, buy and build new housing for their local community.
03 September 2004
Health of millions of employees hangs on smoking ban: study
Local authorities are being urged to make all workplaces and enclosed public places smokefree after new research found that millions of UK workers are still operating in smoky environments.
Health of millions of employees hangs on smoking ban: study
Local authorities are being urged to make all workplaces and enclosed public places smokefree after new research found that millions of UK workers are still operating in smoky environments.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
