Agenda item

Purpose: To provide assurance that the core business and council priorities for improvement measures in the 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.

Resolved that the Executive note progress made in delivering the Council Strategy Delivery Plan 2019-2023, 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.

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·     The report is to note only

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 9), proposed by Councillor Howard Woollaston, which provided assurance that the core business and Council priorities for improvement measures in the Council Strategy 2019-2023 were being managed effectively.

Councillor Woollaston considered the performance of the Council and its officers to be outstanding, specifically due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that it had adversely affected several performance indicators such as Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections in care homes, collection of business and council tax, and library and leisure centre use. Councillor Woollaston noted that the Revenue and Benefits team had done a magnificent job at distributing Covid grants to businesses, setting up West Berkshire for a rapid economic recovery, and that the number of rough sleepers had been reduced to zero.

Councillor Jo Stewart noted that the Council did not attain its target of 100% of provider services rated ‘Good’ or better by the CQC, but that Birchwood Care Home had received a Good rating. Councillor Stewart commended the care staff within the care homes for their work, especially those at Birchwood which had improved their rating, and noting a quote from the CQC which stated that the care home was the cleanest the inspector had ever reviewed, and the positive response to care home refurbishment.

Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter highlighted that the recycling service had improved, clearing 51% of household waste recycles, composted and reused, and expressed hope that there would be further improvements in the future.

Councillor Graham Bridgman highlighted the improvement in the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for provider services from Red to Green, and congratulated the care home staff for their work.

Councillor Lee Dillon stated that the Opposition recognised and understood the reasons for the Council failing to reach some targets in light of the Covid pandemic, and noted that in the Exception Reports (Appendix B) for completed assessments there was no statement of what the impacts of missing those targets would be and that there needed to be a strategic approach prioritising customer-facing sectors.

Councillor Alan Macro congratulated Birchwood Care Home on their achievement, and noted that it was a great shame that another care home had been shut down due to residents losing their lives to Covid-19.

Councillor Tony Vickers, making a point on behalf of Councillor Martha Vickers, noted that it was good that Child Protection was mentioned in the report and that the lack of attention due to child abuse and domestic abuse as a result of Covid-19 would be a long-running issue. Councillor Boeck noted that there had been an increase in Child Protection enquiries and that that was a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Councillor Doherty added that she was confident the right people were in place to respond to issues such as domestic abuse.

Councillor Vickers enquired as to what was meant by West Berkshire being in the top 25% for principle network (A roads) in need of repair. Councillor Somner responded that 3.0% of roads in need of repair was a very good statistic, and highlighted the fact that weather had caused increased deterioration of the roads.

Councillor Dillon asked when the Local Plan would come to Council considering that it had been delayed. Councillor Somner replied that it would be in October.

Councillor Lynne Doherty seconded the report, and stated that it was important to recognise that the report had been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, but that there were numerous positives within it.

RESOLVED that the Executive noted progress made in delivering the Council Strategy Delivery Plan 2019-2023, 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 was below target.

Other options considered: None.