Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director of Resources – Strategy Team Leader, Resources.

The Chairman thanked the Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager, Tom Gorman who was in attendance to speak to Members in relation to the Quarter Two, 2019/20 Performance Management Report (for copy see file of minutes).

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager reminded Members of the different types of indicators reported, Tracker indicators and Target indicators and the performance reporting arrangements for 2019/20 were via a number of key performance questions (KPQs).

Members were asked to note that following the introduction of the new vision for the county, focussing on: ‘more and better jobs’; ‘long and independent lives’; and ‘connected communities’, the existing performance report had been aligned with the three new ambitions, together with a fourth of ‘better Council’, with the report to be reviewed over the coming months to ensure it captured all elements of the new vision.

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager explained that the latest Index of Multiple Deprivation for England showed County Durham to be in the top 40 percent most deprived, ranked 48 out of 151, compared to 59 out of 152 in 2015.  It was noted that the county had relatively high levels of deprivation in terms of income, employment and health, the 26th most deprived in England, though with lower levels of deprivation in aspects such as education, crime, barriers to housing and the living environment.

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 relatively high, though there was a large gap between those with and without a disability. 

Members noted that the Council was applying for Disability Confident Leader status and this could help the Council and local businesses in terms of addressing this issue.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager noted the improvement in the 16-24-year-old employment rate, adding there was large confidence interval in this case.

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager noted the lag in respect of Tourism data, that presented being that for 2018, and explained as regards improvement in the number of overnight stays, albeit with a slight reduction in the number of day visitors.  He reminded Members of the benefit of overnight stays, with those visitors contributing more to the economy.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager noted that 2018 had a number of issues that had negatively impacted, including: “the Beast from the East”; the Football World Cup; and the summer heat wave.  He added a positive was an increase of 24 new accommodation establishments, representing 1,268 additional bed spaces.

In relation to Housing, the Committee were informed of 116 empty properties brought back into use in the first half of the year, against an annual target of 200 and reminded that the Council’s response in terms of consultation on increasing the levels of Council Tax on empty properties had been submitted.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager noted that the use and length of stay of temporary accommodation had increased, with further information to be reported at Quarter Three.

The Committee were informed that from 16 December 2019 the Council took over the enforcement of bus lanes from the Police and were given an update of works to relieve congestion at Gilesgate.

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

Councillor J Atkinson asked as regards Paragraph 10 of the report, “connected communities” and what it meant.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager noted that it was one of the three ambitions within the Vision that had been agreed following consultation with the public.  It was noted that external consultants used during the process had identified a unique sense of community within the County and therefore it was an aspect to build upon.  Councillor R Crute noted that the ambitions within the Vision were not to be taken in isolation, they were all interlinked.

Mrs R Morris referred to the apprenticeship figures and noted some young people seemed to be constantly “in training”.  She understood figures were a snapshot, however, she noted that the figures did not seem to change.  Mrs R Morris noted the context of Brexit and the need to be futureproof and ready with young people equipped with the skills we actually need. 

She noted that the minutes of the County Durham Economic Partnership, included in the agenda pack did not include any mention of such issues.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager noted that in terms of the percentages of young people in apprenticeships falling, this could be seen positively or negatively, a number of young people could be moving into employment or further or higher education.  He added in terms of those not in education, employment or training (NEETs) there had been a deterioration in the figure, being worse than regional and national levels.  Mrs R Morris noted her concerns as regards the UKSPF and what the eligibility criteria would be, and that in some cases it could be linked to progress on certain issues, such as apprenticeships.  The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted there would be a Special Meeting on 27 February 2020 with more detail in relation to apprenticeships and young people who were NEET.

Councillor E Adam noted Paragraph 2 on page 86 of the report referred to “good job prospects” and he added that he felt that there was little progress in terms of income, employment and health and that reduced Government funding over the last nine years impacted upon these areas.  He noted that the Government should be held to account on their manifesto and we should take the opportunity to lobby via our local MPs.  Councillor J Clare noted an issue was the low starting base in a lot of those areas mentioned and therefore it was more difficult to catch up with the levels of the south-east of England for example.

Councillor T Tucker noted concern as regards the numbers associated with being able to help to people to stay in their own home and the figures listed appeared to be missing around 5,000 people.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager noted that the infographic had simply listed the elements from the sub-set most relevant to the Committee, however, it would be possible to get a further breakdown.  The Chair reminded the Committee of an upcoming Special Meeting at 1.00pm on 27 January with a focus on Housing and suggested that this information be provided at that meeting.

Councillor D Hall referred to Performance Indicator 106 and asked how the target was set in relation to affordable properties being delivered and whether we had comparator figures from other Local Authorities in the region.  Officers noted this would be looked at with a response prepared for circulation to the Committee in due course.

Resolved:

That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the overall position and direction of travel in relation to quarter two performance, and the actions being taken to address areas of underperformance.