Departmental Performance
While all departments contribute to the cross-cutting aims of the corporate strategy, they also have their own individual aims and objectives. The following are just a selection of their achievements from the past year:
Adult Services
Adult Services performance against the CSCI Performance Assessment Framework (PAF) indicators continued to improve in 2007/08 for the second year in a row with 90% of the indicators improving on the previous year’s performance and 76% exceeding plan.
In November 2007 Adult Services were awarded 3 stars by CSCI following our annual performance assessment; this included an ‘Excellent’ rating for leadership and use of resources.
All these achievements have occurred at a time when the proportion of the population of Hampshire aged 65 and over is increasing (on average 2,500 more each year) and during a period of continued financial recovery for Adult Services.
Children's Services
The Annual Performance Assessment 2007 - Children’s Services judged to be making a ‘good’ contribution in the five core Every Child Matters outcomes.
The Joint Area Review and enhanced inspection of the youth service, all areas for investigation judged as ‘good’.
Education results for the 2006/2007 academic year with Hampshire pupils continuing to outperform national averages in Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 tests and percentages achieving 5 or more GCSE A*-C grades
Recreation & Heritage
Staunton and Queen Elizabeth country parks retained Green Flag status recognising high standards of customer care, of the facilities and role in community engagement. Staunton Country Park was also awarded the VAQAS Blue Badge quality mark at its first attempt. It is the first county owned attraction to achieve this award
In September 2007 Calshot Outdoor Centre as part of a pilot scheme of assessment of outdoor education equivalent to Ofsted was rated ‘outstanding’. The assessment focuses on the quality of teaching and learning
Charter Mark standard for Excellence in Customer Service. A successful Certification Review took place in April 2008 with only six partial compliances against the 63 sub-criterion of the standard. The award is renewed for three years with a continuous compliance review due in 2009.
Treasurers, including IT services
IT Services has achieved ISO20000 for service management from the British Standards Institute (BSI). This puts the County Council in the top league of public and private sector organisations that have demonstrated to BSI their best practice in IT systems service management. Efficient and effective service management is key to reducing operating costs.
IT Services have upgraded the Castle Complex core network and installed a new modern IP based telephony system. The new voice and data network is an important building block supporting the transformation of County Council services.
Property, Business and Regulatory Services
Successful delivery of Major Capital Projects including:
Ashburton Court Phase 1: The first phase, East Block, was successfully handed to the County Council by the Contractor in January 2008. Children's Services Department moved in and is now working flexibly in the new building. The modern environment has been positively received by staff and visitors. The decanting process was concluded in parallel with the occupation of East, completing a major logistical exercise to move over 1000 staff.
Everest Community College: Following the official opening in November 2007, this state-of-the-art College has received much acclaim and excellent coverage from local media, architectural press and Government departments. The College received a Commendation in the National Civic Trust Awards.
Winchester Discovery Centre: The Discovery Centre was completed on programme and officially opened on 27 November 2007 by the Duchess of Cornwell. Almost 21,000 visitors to the Discovery Centre were recorded within the first two weeks of opening. The project has been short listed for a RIBA Regional Award.
Further Information
For further information about our departments and the work they carry out, you may find the following links helpful:
Environment (including Environment and Planning and Roads and Transport)