Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee, having considered the 2015/16 Performance Report, is assured of progress and performance against the national indicators set by the Welsh Government; and

(b)       That the requests be passed on for further information to be given to the Committee.

The Chief Executive introduced a report analysing the Council’s progress towards the national indicators set by the Welsh Government (WG) during 2015/16.  The information included trend analysis for indicators relevant to the Committee together with an overall view across the organisation.  The Annual Performance Report would be submitted for approval to Cabinet and County Council in September when the Council’s comparative performance position in Wales would be known.

As a point of accuracy on the outcomes of internal analysis within the Cabinet report, Councillor Richard Jones pointed out that four indicators had remained the same.  He felt that the overall position on trends was disappointing and suggested that the downturn in the percentage of pupils aged 15 achieving the Level 2 threshold (ref EDU/017) be referred to Education.  In acknowledging the positive trend in the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants, he pointed out that this remained below the target and suggested that the matter be referred to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Chief Executive advised that a correction would be made in respect of the initial query.  Whilst he felt that some targets could be viewed as over-ambitious and not always achievable due to a variety of factors, he supported the approach to refer matters of concern to the relevant committee.  On the indicator for education, examination results at GCSE level had been disappointing.  The accuracy of past pupil tracking across the region, underpinning predictive examination results at both GCSE and A Level, was under review by GwE.  The local tracking processes in schools were more rigorous and the predictive grades for 2016/17, if achieved, would raise local attainment rates.  Disabled Facilities Grants involved a range of factors and had been subject to detailed scrutiny; progress had been made over time although the Council was still not achieving its longer term targets.  The concerns raised would be referred to the Community and Enterprise Overview & Scrutiny Committee with the response shared with the Committee.

In referring to sections of the report, Councillor Arnold Woolley asked that report authors adhere to the use of plain language, in line with the agreed policy.  The Chief Executive commented on improvements to report writing with the new format and the need for editorial control over the detailed information provided in performance reports.  He spoke of the significant progress with the use of the CAMMS system.

Following a question from the Chairman about the use of ‘yellow’ risk levels, the Chief Executive provided explanation on the move to a more sophisticated five column matrix.  The Chief Executive also provided a response to Councillor Marion Bateman on the future recycling of ‘incinerator bottom ash’ as part of the regional waste project.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee, having considered the 2015/16 Performance Report, is assured of progress and performance against the national indicators set by the Welsh Government; and

(b)       That the requests be passed on for further information to be given to the Committee.