Agenda item

RESOLVED:

That the Executive noted the performance of the Council as measured by the available indicators at Period 2 (2022/23) as set out in the appendices to this report.

Reason for Recommendations: To better understand the Council’s performance as measured by performance indicators as at Period 2, 2022/23.

Alternative Options Considered: Reporting performance data on a less frequent basis is an option but monthly reporting is considered useful at this stage of the Council’s existence, reporting alongside budget information.

The Chair, Cllr Jason Smithers welcomed Cllr John McGhee to the meeting to address the Executive. Cllr McGhee welcomed the performance improvements relating to children in care but raised concerns regarding an increase in safeguarding complaints and the lack of detail regarding the spend on agency staff. Cllr McGhee requested that a light touch peer review be undertaken by the Local Government Association (LGA) to ensure the council continued in the right direction with regard to performance.

The Chair thanked Cllr McGhee for his attendance and stated that discussions had been held with the Chief Executive regarding an LGA Peer Review and an update would be provided regarding this in the near future.

Cllr Lee was welcomed to the meeting to address the Executive. Cllr Lee referred to an increase in the percentage of referrals to Children’s Services noting that referral times often exceeded 18 months, resulting in some pupils having left school by the time they receive assistance. Cllr Lee requested the addition of a target to measure follow-up assistance.

The Chair thanked Cllr Lee for her comments before introducing a report that sought to provide an update on the performance of the Council across a range of services as measured by performance indicators, as well as setting out the progress that was being made in the development of the Council’s performance monitoring arrangements.

The Chair reported that 60% of performance indicators were currently on target or overperforming, with 16% within 5% of their respective targets. A total of 24% of indicators were underperforming and outside the 5% tolerance.

The Chair highlighted a number of underperforming indicators, breaking these down by directorate to provide additional clarity. It was noted that newly introduced Corporate Plan indicators were now being plotted against data from the previous year, allowing for greater comparison and the opportunity to identify seasonal trends.

Cllr Smithers concluded by noting that the Executive wished to better understand why specific indicators were underperforming and consequently what was being done to improve performance across the Council.

Cllr Helen Harrison thanked Cllr McGhee for raising the issue of new safeguarding complaints, noting that a public campaign regarding safeguarding had highlighted the issue and resulted in an increase of reports. The Council continued to work with providers and partner agencies to make people more confident in raising issues which would likely result in a correlating rise in complaints registered.

Cllr Scott Edwards stated he would respond outside the meeting to Cllr Lee’s concerns regarding referral times relating to Children’s Services.

Cllr Harriet Pentland welcomed new performance indicators regarding e-scooter usage and associated carbon savings, noting the importance of people moving to more sustainable modes of transport.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive noted the performance of the Council as measured by the available indicators at Period 2 (2022/23) as set out in the appendices to this report.

Reason for Recommendations: To better understand the Council’s performance as measured by performance indicators as at Period 2, 2022/23.

Alternative Options Considered: Reporting performance data on a less frequent basis is an option but monthly reporting is considered useful at this stage of the Council’s existence, reporting alongside budget information.