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.

Resolved that: Executive

·         Note the progress made in delivering the Council Strategy Delivery Plan 2023-2027 priorities scheduled for this financial year.

·         To review those areas where performance is below target i.e., reporting as ‘Red’ or ‘Amber, and note that the appropriate remedial action is in place.

·         Note that although the review of the measures by the Council had been approved by the time of reporting (deliberation on 15 May 2025), they are not applied to this report as the progress presented here predates said approval. The adopted changes will be reflected in the Q1 2025-2026 Performance Report whilst this presents results against the measures in place at the time of reporting

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on Friday 11 July 2025, then it will be implemented.

Councillor Jeff Brooks introduced and proposed a report (Agenda Item 8), which provided assurance that the priority areas in the Council Strategywere being managed effectively, and where performance had fallen below the expected level, presented information on the remedial action taken. It was highlighted that the report represented the data at the end of Quarter Four. 

Councillor Brooks requested clarification in relation to the status of priority 15, ‘to develop and adopt a refreshed Newbury Masterplan delivery plan’. Clare Lawrence, Executive Director Place, responded that a delivery date had not been set for the measure, however a review had recently been undertaken and it was felt that the original delivery plan was still a relevant document with no requirement to refresh. Councillor Brooks requested that the measure be amended accordingly.

Councillor Brooks requested an update to priority 13 which related to the percentage of potholes repaired within 28 days. Councillor Stuart Gourley commented that the administration had made changes to the criteria for filling potholes which had led to an increase in potholes requiring repair and being reported, however figures for May and June had risen and were back on target.

Councillor Brooks requested an update to priority 9 which related to ‘adopting a plan to close the attainment gap focussing on early years and deprivation’. AnnMarie Dodds, Executive Director for Children’s Services, commented that there were multiple plans and data sets across the service aimed at reducing the attainment gap. A re-word of the measure was underway due to the difficulty of evidencing and proving a reduction in the gap due to the variety of data sets.

In response to a further update request in relation to priority 5, ‘number of children's social workers who have more than 18 cases allocated to them’ AnnMarie Dodds reported that the service remained challenged with caseloads. However, she was confident that children were still receiving the correct care and reported that the number of cases being closed was in line with the national average. 

Councillor Richard Somner requested consideration in the use of colour ratings, which was difficult to review for those that were colour blind. Councillor Somner further suggested that ‘succeeding’ should not be rated green as it was an ongoing status and that there should be more defined target dates. Councillor Brooks agreed to review.

Councillor Dominic Boeck referred to page 45 of the agenda pack and priority measures 5,6, and 9 and suggested that the indicators would mean very little to residents and should consequently be reviewed. Councillor Brooks suggested that it may be an issue for the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to review. 

Councillor Howard Woollaston suggested that the graph on page 71 of the agenda pack was incorrect and requested further information in relation to the increase in domestic abuse incidents reported on page 74. Councillor Brooks agreed to review and revert in due course.

Councillor Ross Mackinnon referred to the Liberal Democrat election manifesto commitment to repair dangerous potholes within 72 hours and queried why there was no performance indicator relating to it. Councillor Stuart Gourley responded that the detail was tracked as part of a service level agreement but was not included within the report. He further added that dangerous potholes that were reported were actually fixed within 2 hours but again were not included within the report.

Councillor Mackinnon queried whether the service level was being achieved and suggested that as a manifesto pledge it should be included within the report. Councillor Mackinnon further suggested that another manifesto commitment relating to earlier care assessments should also be included within the data. Councillor Brooks commented that there had been a need to refine the number of key performance indicators reported but acknowledged that both were important and that he would consider the request. 

Councillor Mackinnon referred to priority measure 14 and the commitment to ‘adopt the West Berkshire Local Plan’ and queried whether Councillor Denise Gaines regretted pausing adoption of the Plan, given the large number of extra houses in various wards that had been included in the adopted Plan but had not been included in the original Plan. Councillor Gaines responded that she did not. 

Councillor Patrick Clark seconded the recommendations within the report.

RESOLVED that: Executive

·         Note the progress made in delivering the Council Strategy Delivery Plan 2023-2027 priorities scheduled for this financial year.

·         To review those areas where performance is below target i.e., reporting as ‘Red’ or ‘Amber, and note that the appropriate remedial action is in place.

·         Note that although the review of the measures by the Council had been approved by the time of reporting (deliberation on 15 May 2025), they are not applied to this report as the progress presented here predates said approval. The adopted changes will be reflected in the Q1 2025-2026 Performance Report whilst this presents results against the measures in place at the time of reporting.