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Agenda item

Key Accountable Performance Report 2020/21: Quarter Three (EX3885)

Purpose:

To provide assurance that the core business and council priorities for improvement measures (Council Strategy 2019-2023) are being managed effectively.

To highlight successes and where performance has fallen below the expected level, present information on the remedial action taken, and the impact of that action.

Decision:

Resolved to note the progress made in delivering the Council Strategy, a maintained strong performance for the core business areas, good results for the majority of the measures relating to the Council’s priorities for improvement and remedial actions taken where performance is below target, which is mostly due to Covid-19.

 

This decision is not subject to call in as:

 

·      Report is to note only

 

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

Minutes:

The Executive considered the Quarter Three 2020/21 Performance Report (Agenda Item 11). The report sought to provide assurance that the core business and Council priorities for improvement measures (Council Strategy 2019-2023) were being managed effectively.

The report also highlighted successes and, where performance had fallen below the expected level, presented information on the remedial action taken, and the impact of that action.

Councillor Jo Stewart introduced the report and made points relevant to her Internal Governance Portfolio. It remained the case that collection of Business Rates and Council Tax was below target but this was to be expected following payment holidays. There had however been a degree of catch up within Quarter Three.

Over 70 placements had been created for young people as part of the Kickstart initiative, including 13 within the Council. A challenge encountered during lockdown was with placing disadvantaged young people into apprenticeships. As a result the Council had agreed to part fund eight job coaches to work with disadvantaged youngsters in schools to assist with gaining apprenticeships. Efforts continued to identify apprenticeships.

The health and wellbeing of staff was being closely monitored, particularly during present challenging times. Sickness absence was lower than the position of a year ago but it would continue to be monitored. Councillor Stewart highlighted the free Berkshire wide challenge available to staff (Get Berkshire Active) as a way of enhancing physical and mental wellbeing.

Councillor Graham Bridgman clarified points in relation to Adult Social Care. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings of the Council’s care homes had been discussed on many occasions. The CQC had suspended its inspections but it appeared, based on a Willows Edge report, that they were returning to business as usual and he was hopeful that Birchwood Nursing Home would be re-inspected and would move to a more positive rating. It was also the case that Walnut Close remained on this look back report but it had recently closed.

Councillor Bridgman also highlighted a discrepancy in the information contained in the report on adult safeguarding enquiries. He clarified that the Quarter Three position was higher than that reported at Quarters One and Two of this financial year, but the position was lower than that reported at this time last year. Therefore, overall there was a lowering trend in the number of these enquiries. Councillor Bridgman made the point that a safeguarding enquiry did not equate to a safeguarding issue. Safeguarding enquiries were welcomed so that potential issues could be investigated.

Councillor Lee Dillon noted that 22% of performance indicators were reporting as ‘red’. He accepted the points made around the collection of Business Rates and Council Tax, and where CQC inspections were awaited, but he queried the percentage of ‘red’ indicators beyond those areas.

Councillor Dillon then raised the difficulty of considering this report for Quarter Three on 25 March. Many areas that could be questioned from the report might well have progressed by this stage and he hoped the process for considering these reports could be looked at. He felt that the approach to be taken by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission in considering performance reports would assist.

Councillor Alan Macro referred to the exception reports. When Birchwood Nursing Home was last inspected it received the rating of Requires Improvement. He sought assurance that sufficient improvements would be made for the re-inspection.

Councillor Bridgman stated that while he could not predict the outcome of the CQC inspection, he did make the point that much work had been undertaken on the home and investment made. He believed that substantial improvements had been made and he was hopeful of the home achieving a rating of at least Good.

Councillor Macro also referred to the exception report relating to the number of financial assessments that had been actioned which was currently ‘amber’. He noted that a role had been recruited to in this area in January 2021 and he was hopeful that improvements would therefore be seen by year end. Councillor Bridgman shared this view.

Councillor Lynne Doherty stated that in general she was very impressed at the level of performance over what had been a tremendously difficult year. She felt that this report was a testament to the good work of the Council to still achieve its targets and beyond in some areas during a pandemic. Councillor Doherty took the opportunity to thank officers for their continued efforts either in maintaining business as usual or in picking up Covid-19 related duties. She asked Executive Directors to pass on her thanks to officers.

There were some ‘red’ indicators. Councillor Doherty did not have a particular view on what would be an appropriate percentage of ‘reds’. She felt it was more important to understand the reasons for the ‘red’ indicators and the particulars of the measures.

Councillor Doherty understood the frustrations relating to this look back report but the report would always have to be at a point in time in the reporting cycle. She would however prioritise actual activity over having a more up to date report.

Councillor Doherty felt this solid performance report showed a Council that was working well despite the challenges of the past year. This was positive for the recovery from Covid-19 and in continuing to deliver the Council Strategy, the refresh of which was due to Council in May 2021.

RESOLVED that the progress made in delivering the Council Strategy, on maintaining strong performance for the core business areas and on achieving good results for the majority of the measures in relation to the Council’s priorities for improvement be noted. The remedial actions taken where performance was below target (which was mostly due to Covid-19) would also be noted.

Other options considered: None.

Supporting documents: