Agenda item

(CSP: MEC)

Purpose:  To present the basket of key accountable measures and activities for 2016/17.

Resolved that:

·         Progress against the Council Strategy priorities for improvement be noted and achievements celebrated.

·         Those areas reporting as ‘amber’ were reviewed to ensure that appropriate action is in place.

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 the quarter one outturns for the Key Accountable Measures which monitored performance against the 2016/17 Council Performance Framework. The report sought to provide assurance that the objectives laid out in the Council Strategy and other areas of significance/importance across the Council were being delivered. The report also presented, by exception, those measures that were currently ‘amber’ and the remedial action being taken/its impact.

Councillor Roger Croft reported that 80% of reported measures were rated ‘green’ (16 measures) and were therefore on target to be achieved. The remaining 20% (4 measures) were rated ‘amber’ and therefore required further work.

Councillor Croft highlighted that the number of Jobseekers Allowance claimants aged between 16 and 24 was at its lowest point for a number of years with only 45 people in this age range claiming Jobseekers Allowance. Councillor Croft was hopeful that this level could be maintained.

Members then commented on the measure to increase the number of West Berkshire premises able to receive Superfast Broadband services which was currently reporting ‘amber’. Councillor Hilary Cole reported on the ongoing work in Chieveley by the contractor, Gigaclear, to deliver Superfast Broadband to residents and Councillor Dominic Boeck added his pleasure with the progress being made in the west of the District.

Councillor Billy Drummond highlighted that improvement was needed in Greenham and Councillor Boeck confirmed that improvements in Greenham were part of Gigaclear’s programme. Councillor Croft added that Gigaclear’s programme was due to conclude within 2017.

Councillor Lynne Doherty congratulated West Berkshire’s schools and pupils for the improvement made in educational attainment. West Berkshire’s GCSE and A Level results were above the national average.

(Councillor Marcus Franks joined the meeting at 5.08pm).

Councillor Alan Macro commended Officers in Housing Operations after their work had led to them being awarded the Silver Standard.

Councillor Macro expressed disappointment that measures for Children and Family Services were not as yet available when this was an area of high priority. He noted that this was due to the focus given to supporting the safeguarding peer review, but this was conducted in mid July 2016. Councillor Macro requested that this information be provided as soon as it had been finalised, rather then waiting until the Quarter Two report was provided to the Executive. Councillor Doherty advised that Quarter One performance in Children and Family Services would be reported to the Corporate Parenting Panel and agreed that this information would be made public/available to Members at that time.

Councillor Macro then pointed out that data was not available for another area of challenge, the measure for Delayed Transfers of Care (DTOC). Councillor Rick Jones responded by explaining that performance data in this area would be available prior to the Quarter Two report and agreed that this information would be shared as soon as possible. Councillor Graham Jones added that performance in this area fluctuated but was being managed with the NHS.

Councillor Macro referred to the point made in the report that the additional work required on the Housing Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) would delay its adoption by approximately six months. He therefore echoed the concern noted in the report that this delay could create problems achieving the five year land supply and potentially the risk of planning by appeal. Councillor Macro questioned therefore whether the adoption of the DPD could be considered as a ‘green’ indicator.

In response, Councillor Hilary Cole explained that the ‘homework’ required on the DPD by the Planning Inspector had been completed. This would reduce the delay in adopting the DPD. In terms of the five year land supply, Councillor Cole confirmed that this supply was assured at the present time following the recent decision of the District Planning Committee to approve two outline planning applications for preferred sites in the DPD.

Councillor Croft added the view that while the target date to adopt the DPD of December 2016 was tight, it could still be achieved as the Planning Inspector was due to report back to the Council in November 2016.

Councillor Lee Dillon was pleased to note the many areas of progress within the report. He did however have some queries to raise.

The average number of days to make a full decision on new benefit claims and on changes in a benefit claimant’s circumstances had increased and Councillor Dillon was concerned at the impact this delay could have on the lives of residents. The indicator that sought to maintain the time within which Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) claims were determined was also reported as ‘amber’. The exception reports for these measures highlighted that reducing resources were a contributing factor with staff sickness and vacancies during the first quarter, and that work would take place to review these targets and potentially propose alternatives. Councillor Dillon noted these points but queried what action could be taken to ensure claims were assessed more quickly.

Councillor James Fredrickson advised that the delays to assessing benefit claims were minimal, but agreed that any delay was a matter of importance for the residents concerned. The ‘amber’ performance was a combination of increased demand and, as mentioned, sickness absence/vacancies, but Councillor Fredrickson provided assurance that recruitment in this area was at an advanced stage. The review of targets would involve a comparison with the thresholds set by other local authorities for their performance measures in this area of activity.

Councillor Fredrickson continued by explaining that delays in assessing DHP claims, another area where it was vital to minimise waiting times, was also due to reducing hours of a team member and sickness absence. However, recruitment was in process and this was seen as a short term ‘blip’.

Councillor Dillon was also disappointed to note that the completion of affordable housing was below an average annual or quarterly level required to deliver 1000 affordable homes by 2020. Councillor Dillon noted that an action plan would be developed to focus on ways to enable this target to be achieved and asked when this would be completed. In response, Councillor Cole was pleased to report that 30 affordable homes would soon be occupied within Parkway and added that the action plan was being progressed/implemented.

Councillor Dillon referred to the ‘homework’ set by the Planning Inspector for the DPD and queried what further work could have been done prior to submitting the DPD to lessen the amount of ‘homework’. Councillor Cole explained that much of the ‘homework’ involved signposting the Planning Inspector through the detailed and high level documents provided to support the DPD. The requirement for public consultation referred to in the report, on the back of the ‘homework’ information provided, would be conducted by the Planning Inspector.

Councillor Dillon concluded his points by praising the activity of the Corporate Programme Board. The activity of this Board would look to progress the Council Strategy aim to become a more effective Council and Councillor Dillon felt this was a positive approach.

Councillor Graham Jones made the point that the Council set itself ambitious targets, but the fact that these targets were stretching meant that not all targets would be achieved. An example of this was provision of affordable homes and further work was taking place to improve performance in this area of high importance.

Councillor Fredrickson highlighted that record numbers were accessing services via the Council’s website and he gave thanks to Officers in Communications, Customer Services and ICT for their help in achieving this and making key services easy to access.

RESOLVED that:

·         progress made against the Council Strategy Priorities for improvement be noted and achievements celebrated.

·         those areas reporting as ‘amber’ were reviewed to ensure that appropriate action was in place.

Reason for the decision: To note quarter one outturns against the Key Accountable Measures contained in the 2016/17 Council Performance Framework and any additional performance intelligence.

To provide assurance to Members that the Strategic Priorities laid out in the Council Strategy and other areas of significance / importance across the council (core business) are being delivered.

To note those measures/milestones behind schedule or not achieved and remedial action taken/its impact, to allow the scrutiny and approval of the corrective or remedial action put in place.

Other options considered: None