Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships – Presented by the Performance and Improvement Team Leader, Transformation and Partnerships.

The Chairman thanked the Performance and Improvement Team Leader, G Wilkinson who was in attendance to speak to Members in relation to the Quarter 1, 2017/18 Performance Management Report (for copy see file of minutes).

The Performance and Improvement Team Leader reminded Members of the different types of indicators reported, Tracker indicators and Target indicators and the performance reporting arrangements for 2017/18 would be via a number of key performance questions (KPQs), aligned to the “Altogether” framework of six priority themes.  It was noted that in terms of the “Altogether Wealthier” theme, these were:

1             Do residents have good job prospects?

2             Do residents have access to decent and affordable housing?

3             Is County Durham a good place to do business?

4             Is it easy to travel around the County?

5             How well does tourism and cultural events contribute to our local economy?

It was highlighted by the Performance and Improvement Team Leader that the use of key questions had resulted in highways maintenance performance indicators now being included in the quarterly performance reports considered by this Committee.  These indicators had previously been considered by the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and it was intended that these indicators would also continue to feature in the quarterly performance reports for that Committee.

Councillors noted that some of the key achievements in Quarter 1, representing April to June 2017, included: the employment rate being at its highest level since 2007/08, better than the regional rate, though lower than the national rate.  Members noted a stable position in terms of the number of young people in receipt of Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance, fewer than the regional level, greater than the national level.  The Performance and Improvement Team Leader explained that in terms of DCC apprenticeships, 68.4% were sustained for 15 months or more.  In relation to housing, Members noted the figures with more empty properties being brought back into use, and more net new homes being completed in comparison to the previous year.  Members noted the number of affordable homes delivered was in line with target, however was fewer than for the same period last year.  It was added that the number of homelessness preventions was less than last year, however it was noted that new statutory duties were coming into effect and this would be an area being looked at.  The Performance and Improvement Team Leader concluded by noting the performance in terms of the road network which the Local Authority was responsible, noting the last satisfaction survey highlighted performance above the national average.

The Chairman thanked the Performance and Improvement Team Leader and asked Members for their questions.

Councillor L Maddison noted that in terms of highways repairs, on occasion they do not appear to be of satisfactory quality and were often subject to further repair.  She asked if when outside agencies, such as utility companies, carried out works were there conditions imposed to ensure the highway was reinstated correctly.  The Performance and Improvement Team Leader noted she would make the relevant enquires.  Councillor J Clare noted that in terms of the quality of DCC repairs to the highway, in some instances if there is an urgent need to prevent a danger or severe damage to vehicles then a temporary repair may be carried out, with a long term repair then listed within the maintenance schedule.  Mr T Batson noted that utility companies were outside of DCC control, however, felt as they worked closely with the Local Authority there would be standards in terms of reinstatement.

Councillor J Atkinson asked as regards targets set in terms of employment rate.  The Performance and Improvement Team Leader noted that some issues were outside of the direct control of the Local Authority, and therefore were tracker indicators, without targets.  However, those issues that DCC could have a direct control over, or via partners, such as bringing empty properties back into use, these could have an associated target as appropriate.

Councillor J Clare noted that in relation to REDPI 36a, the number of clients who have accessed the Housing Solutions Service and for whom homelessness has been prevented, a percentage would be more useful in showing performance trends.  The Performance and Improvement Team Leader noted she would include for future updates. 

Councillor M Davinson noted that in relation to apprenticeships there is a need to show those apprenticeships where the duration of the apprenticeship is a year separately in the data set as they would not be included in the data for those apprenticeships sustained for 15 months although with changes in regulations it would be difficult to compare until a baseline is established.

Councillor P Jopling asked as regards from 735 DCC apprentices, 218 left the scheme, was this before 15 months.  The Performance and Improvement Team Leader noted that this was approximately 15%, with Councillor M Davinson noting that there could be some that have one year apprenticeships, the Performance and Improvement Team Leader noted she would seek clarification as regards this.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.