Issue - meetings

Purpose: To report Q4 outturns for the Key Accountable Measures which monitor performance against the 2018/19 Council Performance Framework. To provide assurance that the objectives set out in the Council Strategy and other areas of significant activity are being managed effectively. To present, by exception, those measures that have reported 'red' and provide information on any remedial action taken and the impact of that action. To recommend changes to measures/targets as requested by services.

Resolved that:

·         Progress against the KAMs and key achievements in all services be noted.

·         Those areas reported as ‘red’, as detailed in Appendix F, had been reviewed to ensure that appropriate actions were in place, especially for the measures relating to the Superfast Broadband Project for West Berkshire and the number of bed days due to Delayed Transfers of Care (DToC).

·         The following areas be referred for further analysis at the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission (OSMC). Namely, the results and improvement actions for:

(a) the education attainment for Free School Meals cohorts;

(b)the timeliness of reviews of ASC clients with Long Term Support;

(c)the homelessness prevention and alleviation; and

(d)a number of measures reported under the Protecting Children core business.

·         The increasing concern in 2018/19 regarding safeguarding and quality relating to some Adult Social Care providers be noted.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 1 August 2019, then it will be implemented.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 6) concerning the Council’s Key Accountable Performance 2018/19: Quarter Four. Councillor Howard Woollaston introduced the report which monitored performance against the 2018/19 Council Performance Framework; provided assurance that the objectives set out in the Council Strategy 2015-2019 and other areas of significant activity were being managed effectively; and presented, by exception, those measures which were reported ‘red’ at year end; and outlined remedial action taken/its impact.

Councillor Woollaston reported that the Council was performing well against many of its demanding targets and continually strived to improve standards. He proposed acceptance of the report’s recommendations.

Councillor Lynne Doherty added that the Council had, in general, coped well in areas of high demand, in particular Adult Social Care (ASC) and Children and Family Services.

Councillor Doherty was disappointed that the very ambitious and challenging educational attainment targets had not been met. However, she was pleased that improvements had still been made. It was the case that school standards were improving nationally and this made the achievement of targets, that would place West Berkshire in the top quartile, even more challenging.

Turning to the strategic priority to close the educational attainment gap, Councillor Doherty stated that work to improve the attainment of pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) and help them achieve their potential would continue to be a focus of the new Council Strategy. The responsibility for this did not solely fall to schools, partner organisations also had a key role to play. Early years settings in particular played a very important role in working with this cohort of pupils.

Councillor Doherty commended the work of schools, officers and partner organisations for all their efforts in this difficult area. Councillor Dominic Boeck did likewise and also highlighted the fact that many of these pupils had complex educational needs.

Councillor Doherty concluded her comments by pointing out that alongside the Council’s new strategic priorities, its core business/business as usual would continue. She highlighted improvements to the timeliness of processing benefit claims and for determining planning applications. These were two areas which highlighted the importance given to a positive customer focus.

Councillor Graham Bridgman spoke on the three recommendations relating to ASC. He firstly confirmed that actions continued to be taken to decrease the number of bed days due to a Delayed Transfer of Care (DToC). As discussed many times previously, this was a complex area and there were a number of different elements which could contribute to delays in transferring a patient from hospital to a home care package/alternative care. Councillor Bridgman stated that the issue was more predominant on the healthcare side. Work continued between Health and ASC colleagues to manage this on an ongoing basis.

Councillor Bridgman was satisfied that this area was being given sufficient focus.

Secondly, Councillor Bridgman referred to the proposal for the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission (OSMC) to further analyse the timeliness of reviews of ASC clients with Long Term Support to ensure this had happened within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21