Consideration was given to the report which detailed Quarter 1 Performance for the Council Plan and provided an analysis of the Council’s current performance against fourteen key delivery outcomes and seventy measures.
At the end of the first quarter (April to June 2018) twenty-six measures had either met or had exceeded the target. This represented 47.2% of the total number of indicators where data was available or where targets have been set. This was an improvement over Q4 for 2017/2018 where 43.9% of indicators hit their targets. The direction of travel was positive for twenty-five (44.6%) of the indicators measured in this quarter. This, however, was down on the 49% figure for Q4 last year. The Priority area with the highest proportion of targets met remained Priority 4 (Extending Opportunity and Prosperity).
Cabinet Members were invited to highlight progress and performance related to their portfolio areas.
Councillor Allen, Cabinet Member for Cleaner Greener Communities, reported that visitor numbers overall were up against Quarter 4, but a little down compared to last year’s figures due to the poor weather in April. The customer satisfaction figures in relation to Clifton Park were yet to be included and this could change positively the direction of travel. There had also been an increase in the number of customer contacts related to street cleansing, grounds maintenance and litter. However, this was primarily as a result of the wet spring which led to a delay in grass cutting.
Changes have been made to the way in which informal complaints were registered and it was expected as a result there would be an increase in the number of registered complaints.
The number of engagements with the Council’s culture and leisure facilities which helped adults and children learn, develop their skills and get a job was an area of strong performance achieving 37% of the annual target in Quarter 1.
Councillor Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, reported that many of the measures related to her own area were annual targets. She reported a strong performance in relation to the number of businesses that received help to start up from the Council.
Performance on the number of new homes delivered in the borough fell slightly short with 134 homes against a target of 138, but with the adoption of the Local Plan this should move development forward. Rotherham’s Planning Service had also won Service of the Year which was excellent news for the borough.
Councillor Hoddinott, Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety, reported on the positive improvement to the reduction in the number of repeat victims of anti-social behaviour and the positive progress in the increased recycling rates.
Performance remained high in the percentage of taxi licence holders complying with the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy. However, proactive inspection of licensed vehicles in the first quarter highlighted a number of defects in vehicles which were rectified and ten drivers were issued with warnings for non-compliance.
An area requiring improvement related to a 4.3% reduction in positive outcomes to hate crime investigations to the same period last year. The Police had reported an increase in satisfaction levels for how hate crime was being dealt with and treated seriously.
Effective enforcement action required some improvement with a reduction in the number of fixed penalty notices being issued. The shared service with Doncaster was now operational and this should show significant progress in the next quarter.
Councillor Alam, Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Finance, reported on the in-year collection performance for Council Tax which was slightly down on the previous year. There were a number of contributory factors including the gradual roll-out of Universal Credit, but this would be closely monitored.
Councillor Watson, Deputy Leader, highlighted positive progress in the number of children subject to repeat child protection plans, and the decreased trend in fixed term exclusions.
However, there had been an increase in the numbers of children requiring Social Care intervention with Rotherham being higher than similar authorities. There had also been an increase in the percentage number of children not in education, employment or training with a proportion of young people’s status not being known increasing the target by 0.5%.
Councillor Roche, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, reported on the positive progress in the reduction in the target for smoking during pregnancy and how Rotherham’s smoking rates was the lowest in South Yorkshire.
Childhood immunisations latest data confirmed this to be above the target level of 95% at 96.7%.
Latest figures for successful completion of opiate and non-opiate exits had dropped, but the new contract and service with CGL was now in operation with positive early indications.
Adult Social Care was showing good performance in relation to the number of people provided with information and advice at the first point of contact along with the number of new clients receiving short term service.
Off target was the number of safeguarding investigations completed. However, the safeguarding role had now moved into the Single Point of Access team to share knowledge and support staff. This had also impacted on indicator 2.B2 as there had been a significant reduction in the number of concerns which progressed to further safeguarding enquiries. The Council was working alongside other Yorkshire and Humber authorities to develop a consistent approach to the recording and capture of safeguarding activity which would in turn support meaningful benchmarking data.
Resolved:- (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 2018/19 be noted.