Department of Regeneration and Education
Laycock St, N1
Report of : Executive Member for Regeneration and Education
Meeting of
Date
Overview
Executive
3rd April 2003
10th April 2003
Delete as
appropriate
Agenda Item
Ward(s)
All
Non-exempt
Subject: Monitoring Report on contract with CEA@ Islington for the Autumn
term 2002
1.
Synopsis
This report summarises key performance issues arising from the monitoring report
attached from CEA@ Islington for the autumn term 2002, noting significant successes by
CEA@Islington and overall improvement in customer satisfaction with services provided
to schools.
2.
2.1
2.2
Recommendations
I recommend that
Executive note the achievement of DfES approval for the Education Development Plan,
the Asset Management Plans for 2002-3 and 2003 –4, and the Behaviour Improvement
Plan.
Executive require that the Director of Regeneration and Education agree with CEA@
Islington proposals to meet the KPI2 target relating to Risk Management and action on
those areas of service to schools, where customer satisfaction suggests the need for
further improvement.
1.
Background
1.1
CEA@Islington has been providing LEA services to schools under a contract since April
2000. Executive received the 2nd annual report on performance on 28 th November
2002. In addition to the annual report, termly contract monitoring reports are provided for
members for the autumn and spring terms. The report from CEA@Islington for the
autumn term 2002 is attached .
1.2
The contract contains targets for performance against Key Performance Indicators.
Performance against some KPIs is measurable on an annual basis, and some on a
termly basis. The attached report shows performance against these indicators and the
deductions from the management fee arising where targets have not been met.
2.
Discussion
2.1
The approval of a number of statutory plans by the DfES, as reported by CEA@
Islington, is welcomed. In particular, the approval of the Asset Management Plan for
2003-4 at first submission reflects a real improvement in CEA@ Islington’s performance
in this area.
2.2
It is also welcome that another primary school has come out of special measures during
the period covered by this report, with only one school remaining in this category.
However since the period covered by this report, 2 further schools ( one primary and one
secondary) have gone into special measures. This will be addressed in the next
monitoring report, together with actions agreed between CEA @ Islington and the
Director of Regeneration and Education to address issues at these schools.
2.3
Performance against the operational targets ( KPI2s) has also improved. Following the
last report, CEA@ Islington has made progress towards meeting the unmet target in
relation to the Risk Management Plan, and we are confident that the Plan will be in place
at the time of the next report.
2.4
Continuing improvement in customer satisfaction with services to schools is welcomed. In
particular it should be noted that in the area of ICT support, work over the last year has
seen the achievement of a 100% satisfaction rate, starting from a very low point. There
remain some areas where further improvement is required , in relation to asset
management, school organisation and support for schools purchasing, and the Director
will be seeking proposals from CEA@ Islington for action in those areas.
2.5
There have been problems in customer experiences of the payroll service after a difficult
transfer to a new payroll provider at the end of 2001. The marked improvement in
customer satisfaction with this service since the last report is welcome, but the level of
satisfaction indicates that CEA@ Islington must maintain its focus on improvement in
this area.
2.6
A deduction from the management fee of £6,702 arises in respect performance against
the customer satisfaction targets for the autumn term.
2.7
Future survey requirements
The Audit Commission has introduced an annual national survey of schools’ views of
their LEAs. Participating in this survey will provide valuable comparative information to
the authority and each Council can also include 20 of its own questions. It is proposed,
and agreed with CEA @ Islington, that we should replace the existing survey structure for
the contract with participation in this survey. We would add questions currently covered in
our local survey where they are not in the national list of questions. Additionally we would
have a half yearly internal survey for monitoring purposes, with a focus on areas where
there have been problems with customer satisfaction and where action to improve is in
hand.
3.
Implications
3.1
Finance Implications
Under this contract, deductions from the management fee are incurred when
performance falls below the agreed KPI standards. For the autumn term 2002 , the
deduction amounts to £6,702
3.2
Legal Implications
There are no specific legal implications to this report.
Equality Implications
Raising levels of achievement for all pupils is at the heart of the contract with
CEA@Islington. This should impact on all pupils, but most significantly on those currently
at risk of under achievement as identified in the EDP.
3.3
3.
Conclusion and Reasons for Recommendation
The performance reported in this report and detailed in Appendix A shows improvement
in a number of important areas of CEA@ Islington’s work. In those areas needing
particular action, the Director will agree proposals for action with CEA@ Islington .
Background papers:
(Insert details here)
Final Report Clearance
Signed by
Executive Member for Regeneration and
Education
Date
Head of Scrutiny and Democratic Services
Date
Received by
Report author
Tel
Fax
E-mail
: Frances Carter
: 0207 527 5659
:
: [email protected]