Agenda item

Quarter 1, 2018/19 Performance Management Report

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

Minutes:

The Chairman thanked the Strategy Team Leader, Gemma Wilkinson who was in attendance to speak to Members in relation to the Quarter 1, 2018/19 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 2018/19 were via a number of key performance questions (KPQs), aligned to the “Altogether” framework of six priority themes.

 

Councillors noted the five area of focus for “Altogether Wealthier” were: do residents have good job prospects; do resident have access to decent and affordable housing; is county Durham a good place to do business; is it easy to travel around the County; and how well do tourism and culture events contribute to our local economy.  Members noted that there would be infographics relating to performance under each of those areas.

 

In relation to “do residents have good job prospects” it was noted that there were some positives, with the employment rate for the working age population being at the regional average, though below the national average.  Members noted that unemployment was on a downward trend, though was still greater than the national level, also this was reflected in youth unemployment.  It was added that disposable household income per capita was lower than the regional and national levels, with the gap to the national level widening.  It was suggested this could point to the County being more reliant upon lower waged jobs.  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.  She noted that 949 apprenticeships through DCC schemes sustained for 15 months or more, equating to 88.4% of all apprenticeship start through those schemes.  It was noted that of the 124 that did not sustain, there had been a number of reasons given, with the main being “personal circumstances”, with 20 having left to enter employment.  She added a full breakdown could be provided for Members’ information.

 

Members noted information in relation to affordable housing delivery, and in terms of the previous item relating to the work of Business Durham.  The Strategy Team Leader noted the changing focus in terms of homelessness preventions, with support for people to stay in their homes. 

It was explained that a reduction in the number of households accessing the Housing Solutions Service was due to the Enhanced Housing Options Wizard no longer being available for clients to complete as the new Code of Guidance for the Homelessness Reduction Act stated that Local Authorities should not use such wizards as part of the advice and triage process.

 

Councillors noted the figures in relation to the Highways Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP) with a “static” condition, however, this was in the context of severe winter weather having been experienced.  The Strategy Team Leader concluded by referring Members to data relating to visitor numbers, jobs supported by the visitor economy and the amount generated by the visitor economy, with all showing positive signs of growth, with the Visit County Durham website having factsheets in terms of specifics sectors and geographical areas.

 

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

 

Councillor J Atkinson noted he would welcome further information in relation to apprenticeships not sustained.  The Strategy Team Leader noted she would provide the breakdown as noted and ask if information beyond 15 moths was known.

 

R Morris noted the widening gap between the County and the regional and national employment rate and youth employment figures was worrying.  She added that employers worried in terms of skills for the future and felt this was something that could be addressed within the Industrial Strategy and asked what “horizon scanning” had been undertaken as she did not see much evidence of an offer in terms of young people.  The Strategy Team Leader noted that the Business, Enterprise and Skills Strategy with the Council, Business Durham and businesses working together, was looking in terms of a skills base for sectors.  She noted this was a live document and would seek an update in terms of this.  R Morris added she felt there was a need to speed this up in order to see an impact.  The Chairman noted the link to the Industrial Strategy.

 

Councillor S Dunn noted he was cynical in terms of apprenticeship figures and agreed with R Morris in terms of the need to identify what skills were needed to fill and create jobs.  He asked why 15 months was deemed meaningful, and asked how many of the young people had their apprenticeship lead to a job in those areas in which they had undertaken an apprenticeship.  He added that it was important to turn apprentices into the workforce of the future and to see them earn a respectable wage in the process.  Councillor S Dunn also asked in relation to the condition of A, B and C principal roads, what proportion were footways. 

 

The Strategy Team Leader noted in relation to footways she did not have the figures to hand and would look to provide this for Members.  She added that she would also seek further information in relation to apprentices and moving into jobs in their sector.

 

Councillor R Ormerod asked if the disposable income figure was before or after housing costs were taken into account and noted the widening gap with national and regional figures was worrying.  The Strategy Team Leader noted she believed it was after, though would check to confirm. 

Councillor R Ormerod also asked as regards why the employment rate figures for County Durham appeared to be much more volatile in comparison to regional and national figures.  The Strategy Team Leader noted this could be due to economies of scale at those larger sample areas, though would check with colleagues.

 

Councillor P Howell asked why the per capita household disposal income data was up to 2016 and not more up to date.  He also noted that GVA figures would not include service area jobs, with there being a lot in the County.  The Strategy Team Leader noted that the 2016 figures were the most up to date available from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) dataset.  She added that she would check if GVA did not include service sector jobs, and that there were discussions ongoing in terms of looking at evidence bases.  Councillor P Howell wondered if 2016 was the most up to date data in this respect, would another measure with more up to date data be a more preferable approach.

 

Resolved:

 

That the report be noted.

 

Supporting documents: