Issue - meetings

(CSP: All)

Purpose: 

(1)  To report quarter three outturns against the Key Accountable Measures contained in the 2015/16 Council Performance Framework.

(2)  To provide assurance to Members that the objectives laid out in the Council Strategy and other areas of significance/importance across the Council are being delivered.

(3)  To present, by exception, those measures/milestones behind schedule or not achieved and cite any remedial action taken and its impact to allow the scrutiny and approval of the corrective or remedial action put in place.

Resolved that the Executive:

·         notes progress against the Key Accountable measures and celebrate achievements.

·         reviews those areas reporting as ‘amber’ or ‘red’ to ensure that appropriate action is in place.

·         approves the proposed changes to targets or plans requested by Services and detailed in point 5.7.

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·      Report is to note only

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 6) concerning quarter three outturns against the Key Accountable Measures contained in the 2015/16 Council Performance Framework.

Of the 27 reported measures, outturns were available for 24. Those not reported were comprised of two which were reported once a year and one which was unavailable at the time of publication of the report. Therefore, of the measures reported:

·         19 (79%) were reported as ‘green’ – or were on track to be delivered / achieved by year end.

·         4 (17%) were reported as ‘amber’- behind schedule, but still expected to be achieved or completed by year end.

·         1 (4%) was reported as ‘red’ - not achieved, or not expected to be achieved within the year;

During quarter 3, 79% of measures were reported as ‘green’, slightly less than for quarter 3 2014/15 when 36 out of 45 (80%) measures were reported as ‘green’, with 7 (16%) as ‘amber’ and 2 (4%) as ‘red’.

For the measure identified as RAG rated ‘red’ and for the ones judged ‘amber’ (behind schedule but still expected to achieve the end of year targets) plans had been put in place at service level without requests for additional actions to be taken at strategic level and without the need to revise the initially agreed targets.

Councillor Lynne Doherty commented that there was one ‘red’ indicator (Good at Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults) in her area. The target required 90% of single assessments to be completed within 45 working days. Councillor Doherty explained that poorer performance earlier in the year made the target difficult to achieve despite the fact that 96% and 93% had been achieved over the last two months. She noted however that the percentage being achieved by the Council was above the 76% South East average.

Councillor Hilary Cole commented on the amber indicator in her area. The target required 92% of older people (65 and older) to still be at home 91 days after discharge from hospital into re-ablement/ rehabilitation services. During quarter three, 88.7% were still at home, there was however a small cohort and marginal changes in numbers impacted significantly on outturn figures.

Councillor Alan law stated that he would like to comment on some of the positive information contained in the report. He noted that the area was still booming and that West Berkshire was still in the top five local authorities nationally in terms of prosperity. The number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance was lower than ever before. There had been a steady increase in footfall in Newbury and there had also been an increase in the number of businesses registered in the district. He also noted that 616 new homes had been built in the district although he acknowledged that only 107 (17%) of these were affordable homes and this issue needed to be addressed. West Berkshire remained a good place to live work and learn.

Councillor Lee Dillon concurred that the issue of affordable housing needed to be revisited. He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68