Local Area Agreement 2 - Let's See Real Joined-Up Working (Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats <info@oxfordshirelibdems.org.uk>

Local Area Agreement 2 - Let's See Real Joined-Up Working

May 20, 2008 10:55 AM
By Cllr Zoe Patrick in Cabinet

I am pleased that the 35 chosen indicators for this that have now been submitted with 16 statutory children and young people's target are related to educational attainment. Hopefully this should go some way towards getting back our 'lost star'.

Also I hope that the proposed targets on equality and inclusion do indeed improve equality and break the cycle of deprivation - this will be a challenge indeed!

Many of these targets do set a challenge and will mean real positive joined up working to enable them to happen. I will await eagerly those which involve our partners in health and those of our looked after children - again something which was raised in our CPA.

In fact, working in partnership will be key in all of these achievements so will await further news on the budgetary implications. I know I have asked this before, but the 'reward monies' will be key in the delivery of these targets and also to ensure that we keep some 'good will' amongst those alongside whom we work together, whether it is the police or our partner district and parish councils.

I want to raise just a small point on the Adult & Health well-being target NI 8 where there is a baseline of 113,517 adults actively participating in sport with a target of 19,400 more. I would be interested in knowing who and how this is measured - many people take part in their own recreational pursuits whether it is playing golf or walking or cycling in their own leisure time - so how is 'sport' being defined here?

Finally, on NA 195 improved street and environmental cleanliness (including levels of graffiti, litter etc). With no highways weed maintenance going ahead this year, this will be an extremely hard target to match. We all know that if our towns and villages are covered in weeds, then it doesn't take long for the litter to come along too, adding to the whole unsightliness of the neighbourhood with people losing their sense of pride. I will be interested in seeing how this will be met with our district colleagues, especially if the County is not being seen to do its 'bit'.

I shall be following this closely and monitoring progress along the way.