Agenda item

Purpose: To provide assurance that the priority areas in the Council Strategy 2023-2027 are being managed effectively, and where performance has fallen below the expected level, present information on the remedial action taken and the impact of that action. To ensure effective oversight to Councillors, staff and residents regarding progress made towards the achievement of the outcomes detailed in the Council Strategy Delivery Plan.

Catalin Bogos (Performance Research and Consultation Manager) presented the 2023/24 Performance Report Year End (Agenda Item 7).

There was some discussion about the pros and cons of the new report format.

It was noted that the report did not contain detailed performance information, but instead required several clicks to navigate to the online portal. It was suggested that this was neither intuitive nor transparent. It was not possible to print out the information or read it off-line. It was suggested that the administration was ‘hiding behind clicks’.

An opposing view was put forward suggesting that the old report was too long and inaccessible and the new system was an improvement, being transparent and nicely presented in a graphical format. It was suggested that it would be unlikely that anyone would want to print it off.

Officers suggested that the performance portal was easier to find than a report within a set of committee papers. The portal could be accessed via a computer, tablet or phone and included more detail than could be provided within a report.

It was recognised that some people preferred digital communications, while others preferred printed reports. It was suggested that a longer report be made available in future that could be downloaded if required.

It was suggested that the ‘performance in pictures’ on page 109 of the agenda did not provide an adequate summary of the Council’s performance and was just ‘spin’. It was suggested that this should be further developed for future reports.

It was noted that areas of poor performance were clearly shown. The report provided a high level summary and allowed for more in depth interrogation via the performance portal. It was suggested that the next report should show how areas of poor performance were being addressed, since these were of particular interest to the Scrutiny Commission.

Members queried the overall status of particular categories, since one segment was shown as green despite three out of five elements being red. It was suggested that the outer circle be amended to provide some indication as to the weighting of the components.

It was suggested that previous years’ data should be included in Appendix D.

It was noted that the Department for Transport had requested that consultation be carried out on the proposed pedestrianisation of Northbrook Street prior to implementation of the experimental traffic regulation order. Opposition Members had previously advocated this approach.

Members asked about the impacts of the Housing First scheme in terms of tackling rough sleeping. Also, concern was expressed about the number of empty Sovereign Network Group properties and the number that were being sold because they needed extensive renovation. Officers explained that there were initiatives for the Council to use its own assets to provide additional accommodation. Also, action had been delayed due to resourcing issues.

Members asked about the delay to the Local Transport Plan. It was confirmed that formal guidance was awaited from central government. The target date had been pushed back to March 2025.

Members expressed disappointment that the Executive Portfolio Holder was not present to answer questions.

Members noted that Catalin Bogos was leaving the Council and thanked him for his contributions.

Actions:

·       Future reporting to include a detailed downloadable/printable report alongside the performance portal.

·       Develop the ‘performance in pictures’ infographic to provide a more comprehensive summary of the Council’s performance.

·       Provide historic data within the influencer measure dashboard.

·       Amend the outer ring of the sunburst diagram to more accurately reflect performance.

·       Chairman of Scrutiny Commission to discuss issues relating to Housing First and empty homes with the relevant Executive Portfolio Holder.

RESOLVED to note the report.