Agenda item

Report of Head of Transformation and Corporate Performance Manager

Summary

This report covers the Council’s performance for the period 01 July to 30 September 2011 as measured through the Performance Management Framework.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

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

(2)               To 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)               To agree the recommendation in paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6 which notes the delivery of the improvement and value for money programme and requests that from the third quarter this update is replaced with a progress review tracking the transformation programme shared between Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council.

(4)               To 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.

Recommendations approved

The Head of Transformation and the Corporate Performance Manager submitted a report which presented the Council’s performance for the period 1 July to 30 September 2011 as measured through the Performance Management Framework.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Change reported that the Joint Management Team was now in post and the Corporate Programme Manager was developing a transformation programme which would cover all key improvement and development projects going forward across both Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council. An update on the transformation programme would be presented as part of the quarterly performance monitoring in place of the Council’s improvement programme report.

In response to the address of Councillor Sibley, Leader of the Labour Group, regarding the drop in satisfaction with street cleansing and car parking in the Council’s annual customer satisfaction survey, the Lead Member for Change reported that street cleansing would be reported on in the Quarter 3 performance report. The Deputy Leader reminded Executive that the Council had acknowledged that there had been dissatisfaction with the changes to parking fees and amended the parking policy accordingly.

Resolved

(1)               That the following achievements be noted:

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity      

·        Job clubs have taken place throughout the district with 5 events and 109 people supported during September. Specialist events have focused on the needs of young people and local opportunities within the retail industry. Business support work is on going with the Cherwell Investment Partnership providing advice and support to local residents and business enquiries.

·        The Bicester Conservation Area Appraisal has been completed and four more appraisals are underway.

A Cleaner Greener Cherwell

·        The neighbourhood litter blitz programme is on track with events in Kidlington and Langford Village.

·        The number of Bring Bank facilities are increasing and satisfaction with local recycling facilities (as measured through the annual survey) continues to grow.

A Safe, Healthy and Thriving Cherwell 

·        The Council continues to offer support to the local voluntary sector through its voluntary sector forum. The work to commission advisory services and volunteering support from the local voluntary sector is underway and will result in an improved local offer.

·        The Council has a strong partnership with Age UK to provide a varied programme of activities for older people across the district. This programme is on track to deliver 40 sessions a month. This work supports the Council’s objectives to help older people remain active and independent within their local communities.  

An Accessible, Value for Money Council

·        The implementation of a shared senior management team between Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils has resulted in significant savings for both authorities. These savings will help ensure the long term financial sustainability of both authorities and provide additional opportunities for further sharing and efficiencies which will help ensure the protection of frontline services.

·        The Council has completed its programme of customer satisfaction and budget consultation to inform the council’s budget and service priorities for 2012/13. Additional public consultation events have taken place to ensure local views are heard with regards to planning (Bolton Road, the Core Strategy and Eco-Bicester) and also to inform service improvement for example within customer and leisure services. 

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

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·        The Brighter Futures in Banbury Programme is reporting amber in this quarter due to significant change in project manager roles. This is being reviewed in the third quarter by the steering group and a full update will be provided in the next quarterly report.

A Safe, Healthy and Thriving District

·        Progress with the disabled facilities grants programme has slowed due to a decline in the rate of occupational therapy referrals.  This arises from resource and staffing pressures in the social services and health sectors.  Capital spend slippage may result. The issues are being kept under review.

A Cleaner, Greener District

·         Customer satisfaction with street cleansing has seen a drop. As measured through the annual survey satisfaction in 2011 was 64% in comparison with 72% in 2010. However, service performance standards have been maintained and as such the drop in satisfaction was not expected. A review is being undertaken to identify any specific issues, for example local hotspots, and action required.

(3)               That the update on the delivery of the improvement and value for money programme be noted and that officers be requested from the third quarter to replace this update with a progress review tracking the transformation programme shared between Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council.

(4)               That the responses identified to issues raised in the 2011/12 Quarter One performance report be agreed.

Reasons

This report presents the Council’s performance against its corporate scorecard for the second quarter of 2011/12. It includes an overview of successes, areas for improvement and emerging issues to be considered. 

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