Agenda item

Report of Director of Resources and Corporate Performance Manager

Summary

This report covers the Council’s performance for the period 01 October to 31 December 2011 as measured through the Performance Management Framework.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

(1)               Note the many achievements referred to in paragraph 1.3.

(2)               Request that officers report in the third quarter on the items identified in paragraph 1.4 where performance was below target or there are emerging issues or risks.

(3)               Agree the responses identified to issues raised in the end of year performance report in paragraph 2.1 or to request additional action or information.

(4)               Identify any further performance or risk related matters for review or consideration in future reports.

Recommendations approved, subject to the following amendments to recommendations (2) and (3):

(2)               That officers be requested to report in the final quarter on the items identified in paragraph 1.4 where performance was below target or there were merging issues or risks.

(3)               That reponses identified to issues raised in the quarter 2 performance report be agreed.

And the additional resolutions:

(5)               That authority be delegated to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Lead Member for Change, to make any minor changes to the Business Plan before publication.

(6)               That officers be requested to produce a one page summary of the performance highlights for circulation to all Members.

The Director of Resources and Corporate Performance Manager submitted a report which presented the Council’s performance for the period 01 October to 31 December 2011 as measured through the Performance Management Framework

In considering the report, the Executive thanked officers for producing a comprehensive report and the officers who worked hard to ensure that targets were met. Members commented on the value and importance of performance management and monitoring and in noting the Business Plan and Council priorities for 2012/13 which would form the basis of the performance management framework in the coming year stressed that the council would not be complacent and continue to maintain high levels of performance and seek improvement where required.

Resolved

(1)               That the following achievements be noted:

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·        Actions are on-going to promote apprenticeships and other routes to work and education. 2 Job clubs were held in Bicester, 3 in Banbury and for the first time, 1 in Kidlington. 1128 job seekers have been helped in 2011/12 to date.

·        107 affordable homes have been delivered in the District to-date against year-end target of 100. Miller Road young person’s scheme is due to complete in February 2012 and Cassington Road, Yarnton in March.

·        Bicester Town Centre: completion of the development agreement has taken place and a signed licence has been received for advanced work to be undertaken in January.

·        The number of households in temporary accommodation continues to improve although the number of people approaching for assistance is still increasing. Performance is being closely monitored.

A Cleaner Greener Cherwell

·        Good quarter performance (59% against target of 50%) however it is possible that the recycling rate may fall slightly short of 60% target at year end, in the range 58-59%.

·        Plans to address customer satisfaction levels through the neighbourhood blitz programme, mechanical sweeper replacement and the Keep Britain tidy campaign “Love Where You Live” are being developed

·        A Green apple award for the best environmental practice, was presented to Cherwell at the House of Common. It was awarded following the refurbishment of the depot producing significant reductions in CO2 emissions

·        Eco Bicester: the engagement strategy has been approved and is being implemented. The Project Team (Community Liaison and Community Engagement roles) continue to ensure there are opportunities to participate in the programme working in partnership with the private

A Safe, Healthy and Thriving Cherwell 

·        Recreation Activators launched a new initiative ‘take over’ part of which is to encourage inactive pupils in the school playground to participate in positive activities. This has proved a success with 156 participants and 728 attendances.

·        (All) crime levels remain down against same period last year

·        All Leisure Centre usage has continued to exceed target due in the main to a mild, snow free December.

·        Works to Phase 1 of the SW Bicester multi sports village continues with hedge and tree planting during December and January.

An Accessible, Value for Money Council

·        An online citizen portal is being developed to allow charged services to be requested and paid for

·        The average speed of answer for calls received by the Council during December was above target at 41 seconds. Q3 average speed to answer was on target at 1minute 10 seconds

(2)               That officers be requested to report in the final quarter on the following items where performance was below target or there were emerging issues or risks:

An Accessible, Value for Money Council

·        A review of complaints will be undertaken and included in the year end report to identify opportunities for organisation al learning as a result of customer feedback.

(3)               That responses identified to issues raised in the quarter 2 performance report be agreed.

(5)               That authority be delegated to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Lead Member for Change, to make any minor changes to the Business Plan before publication.

(6)               That officers be requested to produce a one page summary of the performance highlights for circulation to all Members.

Reasons

This report shows that at the third quarter the Council continues to make strong progress on delivering its ambitions to improve the services delivered to the public and against key projects and priorities.  Risks have been reviewed and the report highlights a small number of areas which the Council needs to keep under review to ensure targets are met. This report also identifies emerging issues which will be reported on in the next quarter.

The report also presents the Business Plan and Council priorities for 2012/13 which will form the basis of the performance management framework in the coming year.

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