Agenda item

To provide Council with an update on the progress of the 2022/23 Annual Review of the Service Delivery Contract (SDC).

That Council:-

a)    Notes that the Annual Report contained at Appendices A-L to the report was completed in line with the service delivery contract;

b)    Notes that Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) in the Service Delivery Contract (SDC) have remained the same since the start of the contract with Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT) and that the Annual Review, completed by Strategic Group in October 23, will consider and agree any amendments to the SDC, including changes to KPI’s;

c)    Notes that any changes to the SDC would need to be agreed by all parties, presented to Children’s Trust Joint Committee meeting for approval and once approved, be implemented by a Change Control to the SDC.

Reason for Decision

·         The arrangements to complete the Annual Review and Annual Report are set out in the SDC and provide a procedure through which the Councils can review the Service Delivery Contract and NCT’s performance in delivering its functions.

Alternative Options Considered

·         Do nothing - Failing to complete the Annual Review or produce an Annual Report would not be compliant with the SDC and would not allow the Councils to formally review the contractual arrangements with NCT and agree changes. It should be noted that the SDC contains a process for the Councils to propose changes outside of the Annual Review if required.

Consideration was given to a report providing an update on progress of the 2022/23 Annual Review of the Service Delivery Contract between Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT) and West and North Northamptonshire Councils, which included the 2022/23 Annual Report,. A copy of the report is filed with the agenda for the meeting, marked as ‘Item 13’.

The recommendations in the report were proposed by Councillor Scott Edwards and seconded by Cllr Lora Lawman.

It was noted that as pat of the contractual arrangements between NCT and North and West Northamptonshire Councils, there was a requirement to undertake an annual review and produce an annual report.

It was noted that the report contained all of the performance results within the past year from Ofsted and a total of 21 key performance indicators agreed with the Trust. Whilst it was welcomed that the Children’s Trust had now moved from inadequate to requires improvement, it was acknowledged that there was some way to go to improve its services.

There was some concern in respect of those key performance indicators that had fallen below target, although it was noted that there was a clear plan to improve on these. It was also considered important that future audit plans were able to be scrutinised and accountable.

Following conclusion of the debate, the motion was voted on, with 61 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

Resolved:-

That Council:-

a)    Notes that the Annual Report contained at Appendices A-L to the report was completed in line with the service delivery contract;

b)    Notes that Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) in the Service Delivery Contract (SDC) have remained the same since the start of the contract with Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT) and that the Annual Review, completed by Strategic Group in October 23, will consider and agree any amendments to the SDC, including changes to KPI’s;

c)    Notes that any changes to the SDC would need to be agreed by all parties, presented to Children’s Trust Joint Committee meeting for approval and once approved, be implemented by a Change Control to the SDC.

Reason for Decision

·         The arrangements to complete the Annual Review and Annual Report are set out in the SDC and provide a procedure through which the Councils can review the Service Delivery Contract and NCT’s performance in delivering its functions.

Alternative Options Considered

·         Do nothing - Failing to complete the Annual Review or produce an Annual Report would not be compliant with the SDC and would not allow the Councils to formally review the contractual arrangements with NCT and agree changes. It should be noted that the SDC contains a process for the Councils to propose changes outside of the Annual Review if required.