Agenda item

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the performance of the Council as measured by the available indicators at Period 9 2022/23 as set out in the appendices to this report.

b)    Noted the progress being made in the development of the Council’s approach to performance management.

Reason for Recommendations – to better understand the Council’s performance as measured by performance indicators as at Period 9, 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 invited Cllr Anne Lee to address the Executive. Cllr Lee spoke to query the percentage of the eligible population receiving an NHS Health-check, noting the importance of these checks. Cllr Lee also made reference to the increase in breastfeeding rates due to the cost-of-living crisis and requested that an educational campaign be undertaken to promote breastfeeding.

The Chair thanked Cllr Lee for her comments before inviting the Executive Member for Finance and Transformation, Cllr Lloyd Bunday to introduce 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.

Cllr Bunday noted that staff vacancy data previously reported did not accurately reflect the current position within the Council. As such, the data relating to vacancies had been removed from this and future reports while a review was undertaken. The review was likely to take around six months and would not impact staffing budgets or the ability to recruit where required.

Cllr Bunday reported that Freedom of Information request response rates had improved but remained below target, with figures relating to data breaches also showing a positive trend. Registrations of deaths within five calendar days had fallen, however this reporting period partially covered the Christmas period, and the Council was reliant on informants making contact. Registration of births within 42 days had improved. The meeting heard that customer complaints had reduced, and the Council continued to see a low number of complaint escalations. It was reported that 98.6% of Council invoices were paid within the 30-day target.

It was noted that the Period 9 report indicated a positive picture of Council performance and an encouraging direction of travel. Over half the indicators were performing above target, with 27% below target. Performance had improved across 34 indicators, with 15 deteriorating since the previous Period 8 report.

Cllr Helen Howell responded to Cllr Lee’s queries to note the huge pressure that GP surgeries were under regarding service provision. It was anticipated that alternative avenues of health-check provision may start to show beneficial outcomes going forward. The number of health-checks offered had increased, but take-up remained low. Cllr Howell also noted that education regarding breastfeeding was delivered to new mothers through health visitors and Strong Start, however more work needed to be undertaken to improve breastfeeding figures.

Cllr David Brackenbury spoke to welcome the performance of indicators relating to the Place and Economy sector, particularly those pertaining to the planning service.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the performance of the Council as measured by the available indicators at Period 9 2022/23 as set out in the appendices to this report.

b)    Noted the progress being made in the development of the Council’s approach to performance management.

Reason for Recommendations – to better understand the Council’s performance as measured by performance indicators as at Period 9, 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.