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 Four, 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.  It was added that currently there was a review in terms of the County Durham Vision and this would be reflected in future performance reporting.

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

In relation to “do residents have good job prospects” it was noted that a lot of the issues that had been covered by The Chair, CDEP in his presentation, including the employment rate for the working age population having increased.  The Strategy Team Leader noted that the report had a breakdown of the employment rate statistics by several criteria: gender; private-sector; full-time; part-time; and with or without a disability.

She highlighted that the gap between the County Durham and national statistics in relation to the employment rate for those with an Equality Act core or work limiting disability and also noted that the County Durham employment rate for part-time was in line with national statistics.  It was noted that the definition of part-time was made by the respondent themselves to the surveys carried out to collect the data, accordingly those working several part-time jobs and considering that as full-time equivalent may not be identified from the survey.

The Strategy Team Leader noted that while the gross average full-time weekly pay for those in County Durham had increased by 2.4 percent, the national increase was by 3.4 percent, a widening gap.  It was noted the number of jobs safeguarded by Business Durham was set out, showing the statistics over the last five years, with a large figure in 2016/17 being as a result of the successful ResQ investment at Spectrum Business Park in Seaham.

The Committee were referred to the infographics relating to “is County Durham a good place to do business?” and it was explained that £4.3 million had been invested via Finance Durham in 2018/19, in 11 investments, with £2.75 million committed for 2019/20.  Members were also asked to note the £17 million of inward investments and the value of £54.8 million in terms of GVA from jobs created or safeguarded from the activities of Business Durham.  The Strategy Team Leader noted the business survival rates, showing the rate in County Durham over years one to four as being greater than the national rate.  It was added that the County Durham Plan (CDP) had approximately 2,800 comments in response to the pre-submission draft, consultation having closed on 8 March 2019.  Members noted that the CDP would be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in June 2019, with an examination in public to be held later in the year.

The Strategy Team Leader explained that in terms of “”do residents have access to decent and affordable housing?” statistics showed that the number of empty properties brought back into use had exceeded target and in relation to the duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act, the statistics were set out including an increase in the average number of days spent in temporary accommodation.  She noted it had been anticipated that there would be an increase in demand following the introduction of the Act, however, it was not as much as expected.  The Strategy Team Leader noted the number of net homes completed continued on an increasing trend and informed Councillors that the definition of affordable homes had been revised and this would be taken into account for reporting purposes.

In respect of “is it easy to travel around the county?” the Strategy Team Leader explained that figures showed the trend continued in terms of decreasing numbers of local passenger journeys on the bus network and a decreasing number of concessionary travel passenger journey.  It was added that this mirrored national trends. 

Members noted that the Transport Focus Bus Passenger Survey Autumn 2018, when compared to the same period in 2016, showed increased overall satisfaction, increased satisfaction in terms of value for money, increased satisfaction in relation to journey time, though with a decrease in satisfaction in relation to punctuality.

The Strategy Team Leader explained that there were a number of transport infrastructure works that had taken place or were in progress, including: Deerness Bridge; Horden Train Station; and those associated with the Cycling and Walking Delivery Plan 2019-2029.  She added the results from the National Highways and Transport Survey 2018 were set out, with some variations in comparison to 2016, though with all County Durham satisfaction figures being above national figures.

In relation to “how well do tourism and cultural events contribute to our local economy?”, the Strategy Team Leader explained that the number of visitors to the County had increased, following the trend over the last few years, and highlighted our performance compared to regional neighbours.  Members were asked to note the increased satisfaction with the visitor information network, 93 percent, and statistics relating to a series of events over the year: 2018 Tour Series; Brass Festival; Durham Book Festival; North Pennies Stargazing Festival; and the Bishop Auckland Food Festival.

The Chair thanked the Strategy Team Leader and asked the Committee for their comments and questions.

Councillor R Manchester noted the levels in relation to GVA and while there had been increases the gap to the national figure was widening.  He asked was this due to the County having a lower starting point in terms of GVA.  The Strategy Team Leader noted that there would be a variety of factors, including the value of jobs, and she would discuss with colleagues as regards this.

Councillor J Atkinson noted in relation to the Future High Street Fund, four County Durham towns were put forward, he asked why those four in particular.  The Strategy Team Leader noted she would look into the matter and report back to Members.

Councillor P Howell noted low numbers of people engaged in terms of the job programmes set out in the report.  The Strategy Team Leader noted that a number of the schemes began at different points in the year and dealt with different cohorts of people with differing backgrounds and issues.  She added there were a number of reasons why people may drop out of such programmes and added further information on this would be brought to a future meeting.

Councillor E Adam asked if it was possible to drill down into the reasons as regards which businesses did survive at the regional level, as the regional figures were better than those for County Durham. 

He also asked if we could try to understand why this was and also look at why businesses appeared to fail at year three.  The Strategy Team Leader noted she would look into the issue and find information relating to specific geographies and business sectors.

Councillor P Howell commented that performance in relation to the percentage of unclassified roads requiring maintenance had increased and the bridge stock condition has also deteriorated, he asked what the service was doing in this respect, and how Members were made aware of issues in relation to bridges in their area.  The Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor E Adam responded, noting that the highways maintenance had been picked up by the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and that the Member had received a response in relation to his query regarding a specific bridge.  The Strategy Team Leader noted that she would feed into a future report the relevant information from the Transport Asset Management Plan.  The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Stephen Gwillym suggested this would be the Local Transport Plan, not the Transport Asset Management Plan.

Councillor T Tucker commented that 357 households had been supported under the Homelessness Reduction Act within 56 days and asked as regards those outside of the 56 days.  The Strategy Team Leader that these household would fall under relief and referred Members to the link provided on the dashboard which would take them to the relevant information.

Councillor R Ormerod highlighted the recent success of the Durham City Ladies Football Team and attendances of 1,700 at New Ferens Park and noted he felt this was something we should be celebrating.  The Strategy Team Leader noted she would highlight their success to the relevant colleagues.

Councillor S Dunn explained he felt it would be remiss if he did not mention the success of our tourism and cultural events, and the level of performance in comparison to our regional neighbours.  He added that all involved should be congratulated for their work and the return upon the investment was excellent.

Resolved:  

That the report be noted.