Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 12th March, 2007 be approved as a correct record.

With regard to Minute No. 41 (Links with Our Future Work), it was noted that the recommendations from the Our Future groups were being pulled together. Some of the Our Future groups would continue to meet. It was also noted that mini project groups were likely to be established.

Deborah Johnson, Performance and Quality Officer, reported briefly on the latest position in respect of the above. It was noted that this was the third year of this type of assessment but the goalposts had again changed with changing guidelines.

Deborah outlined the requirements of the assessment and indicated that options were being considered on how best to evidence the information. It was proposed to continue with the self assessment to assist with the evidence.

A full APA would be submitted, together with a refresh of the Plan.

Deborah outlined the work this year of the Performance Team and the pooling of additional information for the assessment. The focus was on last year’s JAR and developments therefrom.

It was noted that the self assessment had to be submitted by 14th June, 2007 and that the APA meeting would take place at the beginning of October, 2007 to check if we had scored ourselves correctly.

A final version would be submitted to Corporate Management Team.

Resolved:- (1) That the information be received.

(2) That a summary of the submission be made available for Members.

Lorna Kelly, Corporate Improvement Manager, presented briefly the submitted draft Plan indicating that the Plan was to be submitted to Corporate Management Team in a fortnight then to Cabinet on 6th June, 2007.

It was noted that information was still awaited in respect of Workforce Strategy, Workforce Development and Working in Partnership – Older People.

Discussion and a question and answer session ensued and the following issues were covered :-

-          Rural Strategy

-          KLOE’s

-          improving partnership performance

-          Procurement issues e.g. BVPI 8

-          Local Code of Governance

-          Council Tax collection by direct debit

-          access to services on the Web

-          Customer Service Centres

-          national awards

-          Charter Mark

-          housing and health outcomes

-          employment rates for the over 50s

-          working arrangements with the PCT

Resolved:- (1) That the information be noted and any comments be forwarded to Lorna Kelly.

(2) That Lorna Kelly liaise with Sarah McCall and David Finch in respect of the procurement issues now raised.

Matt Gladstone, Assistant Chief Executive, reported that the two events held recently at Hellaby Hall had generated huge interest, been very well attended and been a resounding success. Income had been raised and it was felt that the events had impacted positively on the recruitment to the post of Director of Policy and Performance.

There had been positive impacts in terms of :-

-          publicity and promotional work

-          developmental advantages for the Team

-          staff morale booster

-          good networking

A further performance management event was scheduled for 13th June, 2007 and it was proposed a similar event, focussing on preparing for corporate assessments, was held for authorities scheduled for an assessment in the next year.

Resolved:- (1) That the information be noted and welcomed.

(2) That feedback from the events be provided to Members.

Lorna Kelly, Corporate Improvement Manager, presented briefly the submitted report indicating the performance clinics that had been arranged following analysis of the relevant Direction of Travel data pack performance which had highlighted that a number of key performance indicators showed a decline in quartile position or had remained static in the third or worst quartile for the past two years,

It was pointed out that a summary report was to be submitted to Corporate Management Team and Cabinet in early June, 2007.

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

Lorna Kelly, Corporate Improvement Manager, presented briefly the submitted report relating to the above.

The report covered :-

-          background position

-          overall management arrangements last year rated as 3 out of 4 (performing well)

-          table highlighting how KPMG had rated each of the five themes assessed as part of the data quality management arrangements assessment

-          the approach this year

-          changes to the process :

      -     more robust on site audits

      -     changes to KLOE’s

-          timetable for this year’s data quality audits

-          interview guidance

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

Pursuant to Minute No. 41(2) of the meeting held on 12th March, 2007, further consideration was given to the future membership of the Board.

Resolved:- That, in addition to extending the membership to include the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services and two scrutiny members, the Chair of the Audit Committee also be included in the membership.

Resolved:- That future meetings continue to be scheduled on a two monthly basis on Mondays at 10.00 a.m.