|
NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE gives development agency top
GRADE in performance assessment
23 November 2006
Independent review recognises SEEDA's innovation and teamwork –
"a highly impressive record of achievement on a small budget"
An independent performance assessment by the National Audit Office (NAO) has given the top grade to the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).
SEEDA scored 21 points out of a possible maximum of 24, in recognition of its strong performance. The Agency was singled out for its imaginative and innovative approach to sustainable economic development in the South East, its effective partnership working, and its inclusive decision-making.
The NAO concluded that:
- Overall, SEEDA has "a highly impressive record of achievement on a small budget". It is imaginative and innovative in its approach, linking physical regeneration with longer-term investment goals – this is exemplified by its work at Chatham Maritime, and by projects such as the regeneration of Oxford Prison and development of the University Centre Hastings.
- SEEDA's Regional Economic Strategies – the third of which was published in October – have "become progressively clearer and more focused, drawing on a robust evidence base." The NAO singles out the "high profile commitment to contain and reduce the region's ecological footprint" which is a major feature of the RES.
- The Agency's decision-making is "highly inclusive, with extensive consultation" – providing "the opportunity to reach best decisions on the basis of the widest possible information sources."
- SEEDA's culture of partnership working is "a real strength", with an emphasis on building strategic delivery and partnership capability: "SEEDA is particularly effective in helping partners to work together to achieve outcomes that would not have happened without SEEDA's involvement."
The NAO also reports that SEEDA shows "a high degree of self-awareness and an openness to reflect and learn from experience." Its improvement plan provides "a sound basis" for a more comprehensive plan that can be developed in light of the NAO recommendations.
Further improvements in SEEDA's performance can be achieved by increasing the transparency of its process external audiences and by providing more direct feedback to stakeholders.
SEEDA Chief Executive, Pam Alexander, commented: "I am delighted that we have received this strong endorsement of our work from the National Audit Office, which highlights our solid achievements and our proven commitment to innovation, sustainability and effective partnership working. It is especially pleasing to see some of our flagship programmes – Enterprise Hubs, Chatham Maritime and the Innovation Advisory Service, as well as the Hastings and Oxford Prison regeneration projects – singled out for praise by the NAO team."
She added: "We are proud that our teamwork has emerged in the NAO review as one of SEEDA's greatest strengths. Scoring 21 out of 24 in this independent assessment is a testament to the enthusiasm, professionalism and dedication of all SEEDA staff, Board members and partners."
The NAO assessment was carried out on behalf of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), SEEDA's sponsoring department. Building on its results and with ongoing advice from the NAO, SEEDA is developing a plan for continuous improvement to ensure that it maintains its high performance across all of its programmes and day-to-day operations. This links with the Agency's implementation plan for the RES.
|
