Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships – Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager, Transformation and Partnerships.

The Chairman thanked the Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager, Tom Gorman who was in attendance to speak to Members in relation to the Quarter 3, 2017/18 Performance Management Report (for copy see file of minutes).

Councillors noted that the key achievements in Quarter 3 included the employment rate having increased since the last quarter, with this having been the trend over the last few quarters.  It was added that the rate was above the regional average, though below the national average.  Members noted that full-time employment had now increased and was above the regional and national levels and were reminded of the County Durham Economic Partnership’s (CDEP) measure in terms of reaching pre-recession levels in terms of employment, and accordingly this measure may need to be looked at in the near future.

It was added that the number of young people ages 18-24 claiming Job Seekers Allowance or Universal Credit had increased, was below the regional level, however, it was above the national average.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager noted the proportion of 16 to 17 year olds in apprenticeship in County Durham in September 2017 was lower than last year, though above the national average and in line with the national average.  He added that there could be a hiatus at Quarter 3 as this is the period during which young people leave school and there could be a number of “not knowns”.

The Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager explained that the level of Gross Valued Added (GVA) in County Durham was increasing at a rate greater than the rest of the country, however, it had started with a lower base and still lower than the regional and national figures.

Members were asked to note that Government had recently released a document that modelled a 15 year impact upon each region in the UK following Brexit.  It was added that the model predicted the North East would fare worst of the regions, although it was difficult to judge at this stage.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager noted that the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee were looking at the issue of the impact of Brexit on Local Authorities until the date of exit from the European Union in March 2019.

The Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager added that the Works and Pensions Select Committee had noted European Social Fund (ESF) would cease upon Brexit and noted that if it was not replaced there could be a great impact.

The Chairman thanked the Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager and asked Members for their comments and questions on the performance report.

Councillor P Howell noted his thanks for inclusion of the number of apprentices, and asked as regards Appendix 3, Section 4, “Is it easy to get around the County?” and asked why the data was from 2015/16 and not more up-to-date. 

The Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager noted that the data was that provided back to the Council from Government, though it may be possible to use our own data as a proxy, though it would need to be prefaced that the data was not validated.  Councillor P Howell noted he would not want Members to make decisions based upon old data.

Councillor E Adam noted that the report stated approximately 75% of employed residents in the County working full-time and noted this meant 25% of employed residents did not work full-time and argued there was still a lot of work yet to be done in this regard.  Councillor E Adam referred to PI CYPS 2, the percentage of 16 to 17 year olds who were Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) and asked what impact there was in terms of the “not knowns”.  Councillor L Maddison noted it was an issue, with schools not finding out from the young people themselves.  The Chairman noted the Local Authority had previously followed up through phone calls and destination reports.  Councillor E Adam noted that Schools and Colleges were obliged to follow up and therefore this information should be captured.  Councillor P Jopling asked if JobCentre Plus had the relevant information, the Chairman noted a previous piece of work undertaken by the Committee had noted this was not the case.  Councillor L Maddison noted the work undertaken in the past by the former Connexions service and wondered if data from the One-Point Service may now reflect this.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.