Agenda item

To scrutinise the Q3 Corporate Performance Management Report.

The Committee considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 13 to 58, which gave details of performance management for the period October to December 2022 (Q3). The report gave details of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which measured how each service was delivering against its current objectives.

Sarah Kerr (Executive Member for Climate Emergency and Resident Services) to present the report and answer Member questions. Also in attendance were: Sally Watkins (Chief Operating Officer), Emily Higson (Head of Insight, Strategy and Inclusion) and Will Roper (Customer Insight Analyst and Performance Manager).

The report gave details of 40 KPIs which were measured against SMART targets (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely), taking into account historic trend information and benchmarking. The KPIs were assigned a RAG status (Red for on target, Amber for close to target and Red for missing the target).

Highlights from the Q3 period included:

·           a significant increase in the % of people with a learning disability who lived on their own or with friends or family. This had been achieved by the Specialist Accommodation project which had provided 30 new homes for people with adult care needs.

·           a positive Peer Review of the Virtual school confirmed the considerable improvements made in our offer to Children in Care - including UASC.

·           creation of community led cost of living response with council officers and the Hardship Alliance and the introduction of Warm Hubs across our library estate.

·           continued reduction in the revenue forecast overspend and control of the capital programme spend.

·           a positive peer review revisit from the LGA focused on the demonstrable progress and palpable change delivered since the initial review.

The report stated that, looking forwards, rising inflation would continue to cause challenges nationally with forecasts suggesting it would continue for some time. Inflation drove up the costs of everything the Council did. It also increased demand for many services and compounded this with more complex issues.

The following KPIs were reported as Red for Quarter 3 of 2022/23:

·           AS1: Percentage of safeguarding concerns, leading to an enquiry, completed within two working days;

·           CS3: Percentage of Children in Care who are 20 miles+ from their homes and out of Borough;

·           CS4: Percentage of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) Assessments completed within 20 weeks of referral;

·           CS5: Percentage of 16-17 year olds with Activities/Destinations not known.

The report gave details of the corrective action being taken to address these Red KPIs. The report also stated that seven KPIs were currently without targets. There were various reasons for this, including new indicators which were bedding in in order to establish baseline performance before regular monitoring commenced.

In the ensuing discussion, Members raised the following points:

CEX6 – WBC Staff Sickness Absence – were there any underlying reasons impacting on the level of absence rates in Q3? It was confirmed that Q3 tended to see an increase in sickness due to colds, flu and respiratory illnesses. It was also noted that work was ongoing on a new managing absence policy which would enable managers to manage absence effectively with a view to reducing absence rates. This would include more detailed guidance on Occupational Health and the Council’s Employee Assistance Programme.

RA9 – Participation in physical activity sessions to support those who may be experiencing social isolation – what actions were being taken to generate greater uptake? It was confirmed that the impact of Covid was still being felt and work was ongoing with the Public Health team to encourage vulnerable residents to re-engage and participate in beneficial activities. This issue had links with the HOSC agenda relating to social isolation and the Arts and Culture agenda.

KPIs which were Green but deteriorating – were there any specific trends? It was confirmed that a number of national issues (cost of living crisis, inflation, state of the economy, etc.) were impacting on a range of KPIs. As a result, KPIs were under close scrutiny. There were also other factors involved including changes in legislation, demand management, increased complexity of cases and the fact that funding did not always follow the new responsibilities given to councils.

PG4 – Percentage of “standard” work orders completed within 28 days – did this KPI relate to the highways service? It was confirmed that PG4 did relate to highways work orders. This would be clarified in the Q4 report.

PG5 – Total (and concessionary) passenger numbers on WBC town contracted services – this KPI did not have a target, when would a target be introduced? It was confirmed that PG5 was under review with the aim of setting a target for the new Municipal Year.

PG9 – Percentage of household waste reused, recycled and composted – why was target 52% for each quarter when Members were told in the summer of 2022 that the intention was to increase recycling? It was confirmed that performance against this KPI was under review and that further information would be provided for Members. Members also sought clarification about the recycling incentive scheme (Greenredeem). Was it still operating and what impact was it having?

Children’s Services Challenges – demand for school places and measures to deliver increased capacity for Year 7 – what was the ongoing data modelling telling us about future demand for school places? It was confirmed that the situation had become more challenging with the advent of academies which were able to make their own decisions about capacity in schools. It was important to work closely with the DfE and local schools/academies. A key issue was minimising school related travel across the Borough. Andrew Mickleburgh confirmed that the issue of school sufficiency would be considered by the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

CS4 – Percentage of Education, Health and Care Plan Assessments completed within 20 weeks of referral – what steps were being taken to increase capacity for Education Psychologists to provide timely statutory advice? It was confirmed that steps were being taken to recruit more staff and to “grow our own”. Work was also ongoing to make WBC a more attractive place to work, thereby retaining key members of staff.

RA10 – Completion time and budget for regeneration projects for Carnival Pool – in terms of the RAG rating, parts of the project had been delivered on time whilst others (library and residential units) had been delayed. Would it make sense to split the project into two KPIs? It was confirmed that the primary objective had been to deliver the sports centre on time – this was achieved. Officers would look at splitting the KPI for future reporting.

RESOLVED That:

1)     Sarah Kerr and the supporting officers be thanked for attending the meeting to present the Q3 report and answer Member questions;

2)     the additional information on KPIs, requested during the discussions, be circulated to Members;

3)     the issue of school sufficiency (places) be considered by the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

4)     Members receive an update on the recycling incentive scheme (Greenredeem).