Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Leader of the Council detailing performance against the targets and priorities within the Corporate Plan 2017-18 for the first quarter of the year from 1^st April to 30^th June, 2017.

The Performance Report and Performance Scorecard, set out in Appendices A and B to the report, provided an analysis of the Council’s current performance against 14 key delivery outcomes and 72 measures. The report was based on the current position of available data, along with an overview of progress on key projects and activities which also contributed towards the delivery of the Corporate Plan.

It was noted that, at the end of the first quarter (April – June 2017), 27 measures had either met or had exceeded the target set in the Corporate Plan. Although this represented only 37.5% of the total number of measures in the Plan, it equated to 47.4% of the total number of indicators where data was available or where targets had been set. A total of 16 (27.6% of those measured in the quarter) performance measures had not hit their target for the year (22.2% overall). 

The Leader made reference to the mixed performance headlines which were set out clearly as part of the report and appendices.

Members took the opportunity to review the performance report, narrative and data and identified a number of areas for questioning, which included:-

·                There appeared to be no marked improvement with progress remaining steadfastly below 50%.  What was the Strategic Leadership Team’s view of the progress of performance indicators, was this being taken seriously and why was the Council settling for a “mixed bag” for progress.

It was explained the Council was at that point of its improvement journey.  Easier targets could have been set, but measures had been identified across a range of Council measures.  The Strategic Leadership Team and Cabinet Members met and discussed performance on a regular basis with a decision made, based on the end of year report, that a forensic piece of work would be undertaken with Strategic and Assistant Directors of each measure that was off track establishing interventions/additional support required etc.  There was no complacency.

·                Why was Early Help Service not impacting on the numbers of Looked After Children, Children in Need and Children on Child Protection? 

It was noted there was some impact being seen; as of yesterday the Children In Need numbers, where you would expect to see the biggest impact of Early Help, had reduced to 1400, a decrease of approximately 300.  Early Help co-worked in a number of Social Care cases.  There were a range of different projects that would impact on the Edge of Care on care numbers.  The investments put in place were starting to impact but not sufficiently to register in the first quarter figures.

There was a new process in place in which cases were stepped up or down between Early Help and Social Care and would see an impact in a more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Read (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Ney

Recommendations:

1.    That the overall position and direction of travel in relation to performance be noted.

2.    That consideration be given to measures which have not progressed in accordance with the target set and the actions required to improve performance, including future performance clinics

3.    That the performance reporting timetable for 2017/18 be noted.

Consideration was given to a report which detailed the Performance Report and Performance Scorecard (Appendices A and B) which provided an analysis of the Council’s current performance against fourteen key delivery outcomes and seventy-two measures. 

At the end of this first quarter (April to June 2017) twenty-sevenmeasures had either met or exceeded the target set in the Council Plan.  Although this represented only 37.5% of the total number of measures in the Plan, it equated to 47.4% of the total number of indicators where data was available or where targets have been set. A total of sixteen (27.6% of those measured in the quarter) performance measures have not hit their target for the year (22.2% overall).

Cabinet Members provided an update in accordance with current performance for service areas:-

Councillor Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing, reported on the number of new homes being delivered and new and challenging target to ensure at least 10% more new homes would be built in the Borough. 

It was also pointed out 93% of privately rented properties were compliant with Selective Licensing, which was slightly below the year-end target of 95%.  Work was in progress to increase property compliance during the current year.

Councillor Roche, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, also reported on the continuing commission of specialist stop smoking in pregnancy services.  Work was also taking place with partners and G.P’s looking at best practice in terms of drug treatment.  The service was currently out to tender.

In terms of Adult Social Care the direction of travel was positive for the nine measures rated against targets; four were on target, one progressing satisfactorily, two off target and two measures not applicable.

Ian Thomas, Strategic Director for Children and Young People’s Services, reported on the good progress against the improvement plan and one measure of success was around Early Help, and the offer that would reduce over time as families were offered supported at an earlier point.

He also referred to the numbers of children subject to a Child Protection Plan, which continued to increase as had the proportion of children on a repeat Child Protection Plan.  This would need further improvement and work continued.  He explained further, when questioned, that a further report on this issue giving more detail and what action had been taken would be provided in due course.

In terms of education Rotherham’s current data for early years was strong with good progress being made in KS1 and KS2 with a slight dip in KS4.  Work was taking place with secondary group leaders to understand the reasons for the drop in performance.

Councillor Alam, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Finance, reported on how council tax collection rates had been maintained at the same level as last year whilst the collection rate for non-domestic rates had been improved upon. 

The pre-decision scrutiny process was now well embedded in the decision-making process and had been positive to date.

The Council’s response rate for complaints had also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36