PERFORMANCE PLAN SUMMARY PERFORMANCE PLAN SUMMARY To ensure that our reviews are carried out thoroughly they are examined by external inspectors. In 2001-02, 13 services were inspected. Over 75% of these were found to be likely to improve in the coming year. to address the issues identified by the inspectors. Overall, the inspectors found that <strong>Islington</strong> “is clear about what it is aiming to do. It has made rapid progress in the last two or three years… The extent of change represents a very significant achievement”. meadows in at least three more areas (Caledonian Park, Elthorne Park and St Jude’s and St Paul’s open space). ● <strong>Islington</strong>'s review of its Greenspace services was praised by the Best Value Inspectorate While there is still a way to go, the council aims to build on its recent achievements in the year ahead. Regenerating <strong>Islington</strong> <strong>Islington</strong> has a thriving local economy and a vibrant, multicultural community. It is a place where people want to live and work. ● the Business Design Centre is a symbol of the regeneration of the borough Making <strong>Islington</strong> greener ● <strong>Islington</strong> <strong>Council</strong> is cracking down on abandoned vehicles Making progress in education The findings of the OFSTED inspection team which reviewed <strong>Islington</strong>’s school service were published in March 2001. Among the main conclusions OFSTED found that the council was working well with its main service provider, CEA@<strong>Islington</strong>. <strong>Islington</strong>’s first OFSTED inspection report was critical of many aspects of our schools service. In late 2000, OFSTED began a further inspection. This inspection concentrated on our effectiveness in raising standards in schools. The inspection team noted that “the task facing the local education authority has been a formidable one, but, to a remarkable extent, it has been successfully accomplished”. While acknowledging that much work still needs to be done, it also concluded that “the tide has turned in <strong>Islington</strong>”. Making progress in social services During 2001, the Audit Commission and the Social Services Inspectorate jointly carried out a review of <strong>Islington</strong>’s social services. The inspectors noted that the borough’s social services have been poor in the past, but that the council has made substantial progress in recent years. The report also identified a number of areas where further improvement can be made. These include improving customer care and tackling outstanding gaps in provision. The council has now produced a detailed work programme But alongside the signs of wealth, government figures show that <strong>Islington</strong> has some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. Crime, health, employment, jobs, housing and the environment are concerns for everyone. Regeneration is therefore a high priority for <strong>Islington</strong> <strong>Council</strong>. The council is working successfully in a diverse range of partnerships to invest millions of pounds to improve different areas of the borough - for example, King’s Cross, Finsbury Park and the area of the borough bordering the City of London. A further major development is the proposal by Arsenal FC to build a new stadium in the borough. Other partnerships address a specific theme, such as the <strong>Islington</strong> Crime Reduction Partnership, the Camden and <strong>Islington</strong> health action zone and the Connexions partnership, which works to improve the life chances of young people. The local partnerships are working together in the <strong>Islington</strong> Strategic Partnership to improve the borough and support local people. For example, in 2001-02, the council and its partners enabled 580 people to gain new qualifications to help them find work. Another 490 people were helped to get jobs. In 2001, <strong>Islington</strong> also received £14.1m of neighbourhood renewal funding from the government. The council is now developing a comprehensive neighbourhood renewal strategy for the borough, designed to ensure that local services are more efficient and easier to use. During 2001-02, we continued to work towards a greener borough. Among our main achievements, we: ● piloted the extension of a recycling scheme to estate properties ● planted over 250 new trees in the borough ● removed between 300 and 400 abandoned vehicles per month ● in conjunction with Groundwork, introduced the <strong>Islington</strong> community environmental scheme, which gives small grants to local projects ● opened a new park at Royal Northern Gardens ● refurbished St Mary’s Church gardens and Wray Crescent open space ● established composting facilities in twenty parks ● created wildflower meadows in three parks – Royal Northern, Whittington Rosemary Gardens and Barnard Park ● recycled over 3,500 Christmas trees ● spent over £60,000 on the removal of fly posters and graffiti along the route of the A1 between the Angel and Archway ● introduced five popular park rangers to patrol <strong>Islington</strong>’s open spaces During 2002-03, the council intends to strengthen its work on illegal rubbish dumping and graffiti clearance, and recruit a team of volunteer ‘street watchers’ to inform the council about local environmental problems. We also want to reduce pollution from council vehicles by introducing emission filters, and explore the potential of electric vehicles by purchasing an electric van for use on a trial basis. We will introduce a more sustainable planting policy in the borough that will promote wildlife habitats and involve less chemical weed control and introduce wildflower Putting people first <strong>Islington</strong> <strong>Council</strong> wants to make it as easy as possible for local residents and businesses to know what is happening in the borough and how to contact council services. A borough newsletter, <strong>Islington</strong> was introduced in March 2001 and seven issues full of information about council services have been delivered to all local households and businesses. We also improved and relaunched our website www.islington.gov.uk in July 2001. Many services can now be accessed on-line, including complaints and job applications. And a new service for paying council tax bills on-line is planned for the near future. The council has asked residents for their views on a wide range of issues this year, including parking and traffic management schemes and crime prevention priorities. We have also asked local people for their view on Arsenal football club redevelopment proposals which will bring about major regeneration in their area. The council also carries out a survey of residents’ attitudes every year. This tells us what people think of local services. In 2001, the most important issues for people in <strong>Islington</strong> were: ● rising crime ● quality of the health service ● traffic congestion ● the level of council tax 6 7