Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/087

Contact: Ian Dyson, Assistant Chief Finance Officer (Assurance) Tel 07393 001250

Report by Assistant Chief Finance Officer (Assurance) (CA6).

The report provides details of performance for quarter two 2016-17 for the Cabinet to consider. The report is required so that the Cabinet can monitor the performance of the Council in key service areas and be assured that progress is being made to improve areas where performance is below the expected level.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note and discuss the performance set out in this report.

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet considered a report providing details of performance for quarter two 2016-17. The report is required so that the Cabinet can monitor the performance of the Council in key service areas and be assured that progress is being made to improve areas where performance is below the expected level.

Councillor Brighouse, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee highlighted a number of areas they had considered at the Performance Scrutiny Committee meeting. There had been concern over the reported outcomes on a number of indicators including keeping children safe, the extra pressure on children’s services, the cost of the transport budget and indicators around children’s social care. She also highlighted the good performance in relation to delayed transfers of care. She commended the new approach to business management and monitoring that allowed Performance Scrutiny Committee to see both the broad picture and where necessary to undertake a deep dive to better understand an issue.

Councillor Hards, Shadow Cabinet member for Finance, commented on a number of areas including the importance of balancing important ongoing and where necessary reactive maintenance of the infrastructure with the major projects being undertaken. He also expressed concern at the increased activity around child social care and was concerned that too much pressure was being placed on social workers.

Responding to a question from Councillor Carter in relation to protecting vulnerable people Councillor Hards agreed that it was worth exploring the idea of cross party work to develop an approach that encouraged this to be seen more widely than just as a council issue.

RESOLVED:                        to note the performance set out in this report.