Agenda item

To consider a report by the Corporate Improvement Team Manager (copy enclosed) which sought approval of the Council’s draft Annual Performance Report for 2011-12.

A copy of a report by the Corporate Improvement Team Manager, which sought approval of the Council’s draft Annual Performance Report for 2011-12, had been circulated with the papers for the meeting.

The Council was required to publish an annual report of its performance by the 31^st October each year and a decision was required to approve the draft Annual Performance Review 2011-12, which had been included as Appendix I to the report.

The Lead Member for Modernisation and Performance, Councillor B.A. Smith, introduced the report and explained that the Corporate Plan 2009-12 set the strategic direction for the Authority and the publication of the annual Corporate Plan Delivery Document for 2011-12 outlined how it intended to contribute to the delivery of its Corporate Plan during that financial year.  Each Council service produced a service plan for 2011-12 to describe how it intended to contribute to the delivery of agree outcomes for the communities of Denbighshire.  The Annual Performance report provided a retrospective evaluation of the Council’s success in delivering against the plans during 2011-12, and provided an indication as to whether the Council had successfully fulfilled its obligation to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement.

The Annual Performance Review included a specific evaluation of the Council’s success in delivering its corporate priorities.  It evaluated its performance in relation to the key indicators and performance measures, and indicated how the corporate priorities had impacted locally within the six areas of Denbighshire.  The Council had delivered its pledge to become a High Performing Council, Close to its Communities and Councillor Smith explained that the aim of providing an honest and balanced view of the Council’s performance had been achieved.  A number of challenges remained and these had formed the basis for the development of the new Corporate Plan.

Details of the consultations undertaken had been included in the report.  However, it was confirmed that an Equality Impact Assessment had not been undertaken in respect of this report. 

The following responses were provided to questions and issues raised by Members:-

·        Page 22 - officers agreed to ensure the language sign post in the Annual Report was amended and Welsh version positioned ahead of English in accordance with the Council’s policy.

·        Page 24, Road and Flood Defences – officers agreed to seek clarification and provide details in relation to Welsh Government funding for the flood relief schemes in Rhyl and Corwen.

·        Page 25, Priority Area, Highways – The Chief Executive informed Members that a recommendation would be submitted to the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet not to proceed with the merger of the Denbighshire and Conwy Highways Departments.  He confirmed that this would not affect the investment made by Denbighshire and assured Members that the project in question would be secure.  The Chief Executive responded to concerns expressed by Members and explained that the situation should not be presented as a failure of collaboration but viewed as Denbighshire having been proactive in assessing and responding to the options available. 

·        Page 63, Denbigh Area – it was agreed that officers seek clarification and provide details in relation to Tai Clwyd funding for the development relating to the relocation of Youth Services.  Councillor C.L. Hughes confirmed that funding had not yet been secured.

·        Page 25, Priority Area, Highways – The Chief Executive explained that the Government stance in respect of the introduction of Collaboration had not changed, and if not progressed voluntarily other alternatives could be imposed.  The purpose of collaboration had been to deliver major savings.  However, there would be initial financial implications involved in merging which, in the case of Highways, had been considered unsustainable.  There would also be a need for political and executive will, which would be imperative from all parties involved, if success was to be realised.

·        Councillor J. Butterfield referred to Performance Indicators which reveal that priorities had not been met and pupils had left school without the appropriate qualifications.  Councillor E.W. Williams supported the views expressed by Councillor J. Butterfield regarding the need to fast track improvements at Rhyl High School and suggested that representations be made to the Welsh Government to release funding for the improvement work at the school.

·        Page 30, High Performing Council, Close to its Communities – The Corporate Improvement Manager endorsed the view expressed by Councillor J. Butterfield of the importance of improving working relationships between elected Members and officers of the Council and the Community.

·        Page 15, Regeneration – The Corporate Improvement Manager                     explained that Performance Measures in respect of HMO taken through licensing had been included as green as the target set had been surpassed.  However, he explained that under the new Corporate Plan all the indicators and measures would be reviewed in an attempt to achieve the threshold for excellence.

·        Page 19, Demographic Change - It was explained that Performance Indicator relating to People Supported Below 60% Poverty Lines, indicated as red, was misleading as it only measured the activity of the Welfare Rights Unit and did not include the partnership work being undertaken.  The Head of Business, Planning and Performance referred to work being undertaken in Communities First areas which had been designated as a priority, together with, the European Social Fund Project being promoted by the Local Service Board.

·        Performance Measures, People supported below 60%    Welfare Rights Team works well with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Rhyl Benefits Advice Shop should provide more assistance    recognise and address changes to benefits.

·        Page 66, Ruthin, Cae Ddol Project – the Corporate Improvement Manager agreed to review the situation pertaining to Cae Ddol to ensure accuracy.

·        Page 35, Demographic Change – In response to a question from Councillor Feeley regarding the discrepancy between the data and the target for the NWC: Number of People Supported out of NEET and report back to Councillor Feeley.  The Corporate Director; Modernisation and Well-being outlined the problems experienced in securing European funding, particularly in terms of the economic situation, and made reference to the specific targets outlined in the report.

·        Page 61, Oaktree Centre, Rhyl - the Corporate Improvement Manager agreed to review the situation pertaining to the Oaktree Centre, Rhyl and ensure the inclusion of the latest information in report.

·        In response to points raised by Councillor C. Guy-Davies regarding the amount of detailed information contained in the Annual Performance Report, the Head of Business, Planning and Performance explained that Denbighshire were required by the Wales Audit Office to publish information and there were difficulties in maintaining a balance.  However, consideration could be afforded to providing a summary to accompany future Annual Performance Report.  

The Chair thanked the officers for the hard work undertaken in producing a comprehensive report.

RESOLVED – that, subject to above changes, Council approves the draft Annual Performance Report 2011-12 to enable translation and publication before 31^st October, 2012.