Agenda item

RESOLVED

That the Executive noted the performance of the Council as measured by the available indicators at Period 7 (October) 2023/24, set out in Appendix A to this report.

Reason for Recommendations – to better understand the Council’s performance as measured by Key Performance Indicators as at Period 7 (October) 2023/24.

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 meeting. Cllr Lee made reference to improved performance of the indicator relating to breastfeeding. Reference was also made to the slight drop in the number of babies receiving their 6-8 week before the eighth week as well as the lack of available data relating to substance misuse clients waiting more than three weeks for their first intervention. Cllr Lee raised concerns regarding the significant underperformance in regard to initial child protection conferences being held within 15 days of a strategy discussion being initiated.

The Chair then invited 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 (PIs), as well as setting out the progress that was being made in the development of the Council’s performance monitoring arrangements.

It was heard that the Period 7 report contained just under half of the total PIs for the Council. Of those 66 indicators, 52 were reported in-month, two were reported a month in arrears and 12 were quarterly figures. Of the 39 PIs with established targets, 23 indicators were on or exceeding their target, with nine inside tolerance levels and seven performing below target levels. It was noted that of the 56 PIs that had a determined polarity for direction of travel, performance had improved for 21, with 13 deteriorating since the previous reporting period.

Cllr Bunday referred to the Council’s Corporate Priorities, noting that the Better, Brighter Futures commitment had performed well with over 70% of its PIs exceeding target with just one missing its target. The Safe and Thriving Places commitment was also performing well with 63% of PIs exceeding their targets.

Cllr Helen Harrison responded to Cllr Anne Lee’s comments noting that it was positive to see an increase in breastfeeding rates and that breastfeeding was a better option for both mother and child. New birth visits and 6-8 week reviews were on target and these targets and the quality of visits would be examined as part of the recommissioning of the Council’s 0-19 years’ service. Health Checks performance had also started to move in a positive direction. It was noted that with regard to the substance misuse performance, this was a new measure for rapid response, a new Combatting Drugs Partnership had been created as one step towards offering an excellent substance misuse service.

Cllr Scott Edwards referred to the breastfeeding programme launched at the new Wellingborough Family Hub, providing details of a new app for mothers and breast pump availability from Kettering General Hospital. Cllr Edwards noted the Council’s limited powers to intervene regarding children being home-schooled, although children on the At-Risk Register would still be monitored. With reference to child protection conferences, it was heard that most of the incidences where conferences took place outside of the target duration were only a couple of days late, however a plan was in place across the agencies involved to improve performance in relation to this target.

Cllr David Brackenbury spoke to note the slightly disappointing performance figures for the planning service, although it remained within tolerance. Work was underway to recruit new officers, with a further piece of work underway to tackle the backlog of applications that impacted performance figures.

RESOLVED

That the Executive noted the performance of the Council as measured by the available indicators at Period 7 (October) 2023/24, set out in Appendix A to this report.

Reason for Recommendations – to better understand the Council’s performance as measured by Key Performance Indicators as at Period 7 (October) 2023/24.

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.