Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships – Strategy Team Leader, Transformation and Partnerships. 

The Chairman thanked the Strategy Team Leader, Gemma Wilkinson who was in attendance to speak to Members in relation to the Quarter 4, 2017/18 Performance Management Report (for copy see file of minutes).

The Strategy 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.

Councillors were referred to the “dashboard” page within the report setting out the key figures in Quarter 4 which included the employment rate for the working age population being above the regional average, though below the national average.  It was added that the number of young people ages 18-24 claiming Job Seekers Allowance or Universal Credit was below the regional level, however, was above the national average.  The Strategy Team Leader noted in terms of apprenticeships, the percentage of 16-17 year olds in apprenticeships was above the regional and national averages.

The Committee noted that the number of jobs created or safeguarded through the activity of Business Durham was 1,066, below the target of 1,300, however, it was noted that the target had been aspirational.  It was also highlighted that the number achieved last year had been 2,404, albeit with 1,200 of those coming via ResQ.

The Strategy Team Leader noted the performance in terms of apprenticeships, with 913 being created through Durham County Council schemes being sustained for 15 months or more, at March 2018, equating to 85% of all the apprenticeships starts through those schemes.  It was added that the number of registered businesses in County Durham had increased, and occupancy rates of retail units in 11 out of 18 centres was at a rate higher or in line with the national average.  In terms of housing, it was noted that 198 empty properties had been brought back into use through Council intervention, above target and more than in the previous year.  Members learned that the net number of new homes completed had increase in comparison to the previous year and the number of clients for whom homelessness had been prevented had also increase in comparison to the previous year.

The Chairman thanked the Strategy Team Leader and asked Members for their comments and questions on the performance report.

Councillor E Adam noted the information in terms of NEETs that had been discussed at the previous Item relating to DurhamWorks.  He noted however that the figures did not seem to improve and asked if there were issues in terms of the reliability of the data.  The Strategy Team Leader noted that the best statistics available at this time were those relating to the number of people out of work, claiming JobSeekers Allowance or Universal Credit.  It was noted that the DWP were working on a new measure and consultation was ongoing in this regard.

Councillor L Maddison noted the 17,120 businesses within County Durham and asked if they were all active and what types of businesses and numbers there were.

The Strategy Team Leader noted this was a national measure that came via the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and noted it may be possible to provide a break down by size of business.  She suggested that information within the occupancy surveys carried out by the Council would have more information in relation to retail businesses.  Councillor L Maddison noted she would also be interested in technology and service industry businesses in addition to retail businesses. 

Councillor J Atkinson noted Barnard Castle and Ferryhill had high occupancy rates and asked why this was, and how could lessons be learned from these different town centres.  The Strategy Team Leader noted she would speak to colleagues and provide feedback.

Councillor P Howell asked as regards the percentages in terms of young people 18-24 claiming Universal Credit and those in apprenticeships.  The Strategy Team Leader noted that the figures provided at the previous item referred to those aged 16-24 and added that there was also issue in terms of data lag.  Councillor P Howell noted his frustration in terms of data and noted that information was only useful if accurate and timely.

Councillor S Dunn noted the figures in terms of youth employment and asked if there was additional information in terms of: how many people were NEET; how many were in apprenticeships; how many were in employment; and how many were in education.  He added that it would be useful to have both numbers and the percentages, as well as information in terms of how many apprentices then move into jobs, and the number of Council apprentices that moved into jobs with the Authority.  The Strategy Team Leader noted she did not have the information to hand and would look into the matter.  She added that in terms of apprenticeships, there was those through the Council’s Apprenticeship Scheme, working with local providers and there was also those internal Council apprentices.  The Chairman noted that the Committee’s review of Apprenticeship was due to come back to Members for an update.  Councillor S Dunn asked how apprenticeships operated, in terms of whether young people progressed through to employment or were young people “parked” in apprenticeships.  The Chairman added that there was sustainability in terms of moving beyond 2 years and progression into a job, noting that figures as regards this had recently been reported to Cabinet.

Mrs R Morris asked if there was information in terms of occupancy rates and business rates, as she noted that business rates could vary and could be very high.  She added that high business rates could be sufficient to prevent a new small and micro business from getting on to the “first rung of the ladder”.  The Strategy Team Leader noted she would speak to colleagues as regards this matter.  Councillor A Patterson noted she had information in terms business rates schemes and would speak to Mrs R Morris after the meeting as regards this.

 Resolved:

That the report be noted.