local government performance framework

Reforming the relationship between central government and local government and its partners, through a more streamlined local performance framework.

The 2006 Local Government White Paper Strong and Prosperous Communities set out the Government’s ambition to create strong, safe and prosperous communities throughout England.

Key elements

A National Indicator Set (NIS) of 199 outcome focused indicators for local government to deliver
New, statutory Local Area Agreements (LAAs), agreed with local authorities, to set out how local and national priorities will be delivered
A new monitoring system, Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA), to replace the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA)

DCMS provides policy direction and support to its sectors in implementing the new framework, to ensure improvement in culture and sport delivery at local level.

National Indicator Set

As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, the Department for Communities and Local Government announced National Indicators (NIS) representing key governmental priorities for local-level delivery during the 2008-11 spending period.

DCMS owns four of these indicators:

NI8: Adult participation in Sport
NI9: Use of Public Libraries
NI10: Visits to museums or galleries
NI11: Engagement in the arts

Aims

The indicators underpin the new local performance framework. NI8, NI9, NI10 and NI11 are focused on increasing the take-up of cultural opportunities by those aged 16 and above living in a local authority. They relate to DCMS’ broad Departmental Strategic Objective, to encourage more widespread enjoyment of culture and sport, and to support talent and excellence.

Monitoring

The indicators are being measured by the Active People Survey. This is owned by Sport England and being delivered by Ipos-Mori. Data is collected for every local authority in England. The first set of sports participation data was published in 2006 and the first set of cultural participation data was published in December 2008.