Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Barbara Smith (copy enclosed) which presents a third quarter update on the delivery of the Corporate Plan 2012-17.

RESOLVED - that Cabinet receive the report and note Members comments regarding the performance related issues highlighted.

Councillor B.A. Smith presented the report, circulated previously, which provided a third quarter update, as at the end of December, 2012, on the delivery of the Corporate Plan 2012-17.

Regular reporting would be an essential monitoring requirement of the Corporate Plan to ensure that the Council exercises its duty to improve.  Councillor B.A. Smith introduced the report and provided a summary of the Appendix which detailed each outcome in the Corporate Plan which included:-

·                     Developing the local economy

·                    Improving performance in education and the quality of our school buildings

·                     Improving our roads

·                    Vulnerable people are protected and are able to live as independently as possible

·                     Clean and tidy streets

·                     Ensuring access to good quality housing

·                     Modernising the council to deliver efficiencies and improve services for our customers

The Corporate Improvement Team Manager (CITM) responded to questions from Members and referred to the colour coding status definition included on page 57.  Each indicator and performance measure had been given a status describing the current position and the colour provided a description of the status. 

It was explained that this was a five year Corporate Plan and that the status of individual indicators and performance measures were supported by data and based on evidence.  The following areas where further work might be required had been highlighted in the report:-

-               Work to formalise plans for dropped kerbs had not progresses and had been included in the Council’s Strategic Equality Plan and the Corporate Plan.  Councillor D.I. Smith agreed to pursue concerns raised by Councillor J.R. Bartley in respect of un-adopted roads and planning issues relating to the provision of dropped kerbs in the vicinity of developments for disabled persons.

-               The percentage of pupils leaving school without an approved qualification was a "priority for improvement" and required continued efforts to improve to an "acceptable" status.  The CITM confirmed that that there would be pupils leaving school without an approved qualification for reasons beyond the control of the Authority and he invited Members’ attention to paragraph 4.1.7 of the report.  He emphasised that it would be important to provide an assurance that every perceivable action had been taken to address this issue.  The CD:C explained that identification of the problems at an early stage would be essential and Councillor E.W. Williams felt the improvements achieved at Rhyl High School would have a positive impact on the figures produced.  Councillor Williams responded to concerns raised by Councillor P. Penlington explaining that issues regarding qualification levels would be considered at a Workshop to be held on the 21^st May, 2013.

-              Issuing of fixed penalty notices had exceeded expectation, but the issuing of notices for dog fouling had been highlighted as a “priority for improvement” with data indicating that only 2% of all fixed penalty noticed issued related to dog fouling.  In response to concerns raised by Councillor D. Simmons that the Rhyl area had been targeted, the CE explained that resources had focused on areas where anti-social problems had been identified.  He confirmed that he had no concerns regarding fixed penalty notices and that the performance framework had been good.  The North Wales Police had stated that they were pleased with the work undertaken and had expressed their support for the initiative introduced.  There had been a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour and a general improvement in the environment, which emphasised the significance and importance of the project.

-               The percentage of initial core group meetings held within 10 days of the initial child protection conference, which was important as it highlighted the safeguarding of children through timeliness of core group meetings, had been identified as a priority for improvement.  Performance had improved throughout the year but needed to continue to improve by around 10% to ensure "acceptable" status.

-               The timely determination of householder planning applications had worsened demonstrating the need to continue to focus on the determination of planning applications in a timely manner.

The coordination efforts to draw together the information necessary to prepare such a report highlighted some data gaps, and more importantly gaps in the structure of the economic, modernisation and housing priorities.  Work would be required to project data forward and clearly express the Council's ambition for the Corporate Plan.  The current position for the majority of indicators and performance measures in the Corporate Plan had been understood.  However, a better understanding of the Council’s ambition for the future would be required.  This would assist the Council in understanding and tracking progress towards its ambition and help reporting, as a number of outcomes did not expect immediate improvements.  Continually reporting something as a "priority for improvement" without understanding if they were on track to achieve the long-term ambition for improvement could appear unnecessarily critical.

The Leader felt that the Corporate Plan had played a significant role in the Council’s success and achievements and emphasised the importance of ensuring that all parties understood their specific roles within the process.  He referred to concerns raised at the recent Performance Scrutiny Committee regarding the validity of information within the report and explained that the respective Lead Members and Heads of Service had agreed the Key Objectives and were aware of the Performance Indicators as presented.  He highlighted the significant role of Scrutiny in the process and confirmed that any areas of concern should be challenged and monitored through the appropriate channels.      

Councillor B.A. Smith made reference to concerns raised at the Performance Scrutiny Committee and provided a detailed summary of the background to the Plan which had been developed by Members and officers.  She referred to the indicator within the Plan which demonstrated the success and the measures which assessed activities, both of these elements had been based on data and not subjective opinions. Councillor Smith confirmed that the Corporate Plan would be reviewed annually by the Wales Audit Office (WAO) who had originally agreed the Plan.  The HBPP confirmed the Plan had been validated by the WAO and he agreed to hold further discussions with the Chair of Scrutiny to clarify the concerns and issues raised.  He explained that the opportunity for further challenge and discussion would be presented through the Annual Improvement Report, which would be submitted to the Corporate Governance Committee in May, and the Service Challenge process.  Councillor D.I. Smith explained that the Corporate Plan would be utilised to assist in identifying and addressing issues which may require attention.

The CE informed Cabinet that the report had transmitted clear messages.  He made reference to the need for clarification regarding the lack of progress in respect of dropped kerbs and the necessity to set targets for improvement, and to consideration being afforded to the possible introduction of strategies to address the unacceptable issue of pupils leaving school without an approved qualification.

Following further discussion it was:-

RESOLVED - that Cabinet receive the report and note Members comments regarding the performance related issues highlighted.