Agenda item

a)            That the areas of corporate and service under-performance against the Council Plan and the performance measures set for 2017/18 be noted; and

b)            That the Committee invite Cabinet to publish an action plan to address any areas of under-performance where they have a RAG status as Red or Amber, with a downturn performance trend.

                        The Interim Chief Officer (Education & Youth) presented the Council’s performance overview for 2017-18, taking into account the locally identified performance measures and the nationally benchmarked measures, known as Public Accountability Measures (PAMs).

                        Overall performance in both documents was positive, with the majority of measures showing achievement of target and an improving trend during the year.  However, it was important that the Council remained focused and there continued to be a level of scrutiny on priority performance areas during 2018/19.

                        The report provided details on performance measures which had showed a decline in performance, had not met target by a significant margin or were nationally in the bottom 2 benchmarking quartiles.  Agreed measures in these categories would be monitored for future review and oversight.

                        Councillor Patrick Heesom raised a number of concerns around the number of red indicators.  He commented that the Key Stage 4 educational attainment was not high enough and that that performance for pupils receiving free school meals was not adequate.  He said that improvement in these areas was needed as a matter of urgency.

Councillor Hilary McGuill commented on the performance measures for young people not in education, employment or training (NEETS) and said that they needed to be identified and tracked earlier on and not just reported at the age of 16.  The Interim Chief Officer said that this was a priority for the portfolio moving forward and outlined the need for limited resources to be used for the greatest challenges.   

In response to concerns raised around Aura Leisure, the Corporate Business and Communications Executive Officer explained that the Organisational Change Overview & Scrutiny Committee would continue to receive update reports on the performance of Aura Leisure. 

Councillor Richard Jones asked if a document could be provided to Members which showed the changes between the 2017/18 Council Plan and the 2018/19 Plan which would assist Members in easily identifying changes.  The Corporate Business and Communications Executive Officer agreed to provide this information at the next Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting.  She also reported that a review of the 2018/19 Council Plan to inform the 2019/20 Plan would start earlier in October/November 2018.    

Members sought clarification on the wording of the performance indicators, direction of travel and performance progress comments for the following:-

·         IP1.3.4.1.MO1 – Annual reduction of domestic fuel bills for residents of Flintshire (£);

·         IP6.1.2.3.MO3 – Percentage of Managers completing stress related programmes;

·         IP6.1.2.4.MO4 – Percentage of employees completing stress related programmes;

·         IP1.6.4.2.M02 – the number of reported incidents of domestic abuse and Sexual Violence;

·         IP1.6.4.3.MO3 – the number of domestic abuse incidents reported to North Wales Police

            The Interim Chief Officer provided an explanation on Managers and employees completing stress related programmes, with the aim to ensure enough Managers were trained to identify instances of stress and provide the necessary assistance where needed.  The Corporate Business and Communications Executive Officer explained that whilst the target for reported incidents of domestic abuse was 0 (as it was not appropriate to set a target), the RAG status was shown as ‘Green’ to show an improvement in the reporting of incidents, which needed to increase, rather than remaining ‘hidden’.

            Members asked that the descriptions and explanations provided in future performance reports be in plain English and understandable to all.  The Corporate Business and Communications Executive Officer took on board these comments and said that guidance on this was regularly provided to performance lead officers.

            Councillor Patrick Heesom commented that there was a need for Members to understand any budget implications of not meeting performance targets.

            Councillor Arnold Wolley suggested that the Committee invite Cabinet to publish an action plan to address under-performance where they have a RAG status of Amber, with a downturn performance trend, as well as a status of Red.  This was supported by the Committee.  The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator confirmed that the action plan would be submitted to the next Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting.

RESOLVED:

a)            That the areas of corporate and service under-performance against the Council Plan and the performance measures set for 2017/18 be noted; and

b)            That the Committee invite Cabinet to publish an action plan to address any areas of under-performance where they have a RAG status as Red or Amber, with a downturn performance trend.