Agenda item

Richard Fitzgerald (Business Intelligence Manager – Performance) was in attendance for this item

(1)       Cabinet received the quarterly performance report for quarter three providing information about the key areas of performance for the authority.

(2)       Miss Carey (Cabinet Member for Customers, Communications and Performance) introduced the report and said that managing performance was equally as important as managing finances in delivering services. She said the report contained both qualitative and quantitative indicators and provided information about long-term trends.

(3)       Richard Fitzgerald said performance was generally good with most indicators recorded at ‘green’ (target achieved or exceeded) and that the direction of travel was positive.  He went on to draw out important information for Members as follows:

                    i.                  Customer Services

a.    Good performance had been maintained for caller satisfaction although the percentage of calls to the Contact Point which were answered was slightly below target.

                   ii.                  Economic Development & Communities

a.    Long term empty domestic properties turned into active use continued to deliver ahead of target.

b.    Housing delivery, based on energy performing certificates issued, had been sustained at an average of 7,000 new dwellings per year for close to three years.

c.    Library visits and book issues had been within expectations in the quarter.

                 iii.                  Environment and Transport

a.    The impact of the recent severe weather was not reflected in   performance for this quarter and would be reflected in the next report on performance to the Cabinet.

b.    The percentage of municipal waste diverted from landfill, 99%, continued to exceed target.

                 iv.                  Early Help and Specialist Children’s Services

a.    Ofsted inspection results for schools and Early Years settings continued to meet the target with year on year improvement.

b.    Apprenticeship starts for people between aged 16-18 was below target for the last academic year and this reflected trends nationally, however, numbers were increasing for the current academic year.

c.    The number of young people not in education or training had reduced and had achieved the target set.

d.    The percentage of child protection plans which were repeat plans remained within target.

e.    The number of children on child protection plans in Kent was above the national average and at its highest level since 2012.

f.     Demand for Specialist Children’s Services continued to increase with 30% more referrals being accepted in the current year compared with last year.

               v.       Adult Social Care

a.    The number of clients referred to the Enablement Service was on target and the figures now included referrals to an external provider.

b.    The percentage of delayed transfers of care from hospital where social care was considered to be responsible had reduced and was ahead of the local target of 30%.

            vi.        Public Health

a.    The number of Health Checks remained ahead of target.

b.    The number of universal checks delivered by the Health Visiting service had also increased and had moved further ahead of target.

(5)       Mr Fitzgerald concluded by assuring Members that targets not currently being met were all subject to management action and were being closely monitored.

(6)       Mr Gough (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education) said that the completion of Education, Health and Care Plans was below target and had deteriorated over the last few reporting periods.  The latest figures were in line with the national average, however, it was likely that the national figure would deteriorate as demand was rising and all authorities were under pressure to convert statements of special educational needs to Education, Health and Care Plans.  He said that KCC was on track to convert all statements to Education, Health and Care Plans by the end of March 2018. 

(7)       Mr Gough also said that there was an increase in the number of children who would start Year 7 education in 2018; 80% of children had obtained places in their preferred school and 95% obtained one of the four preferences stated on the school admissions form.

(8)       The Leader asked that information about performance across the country be provided for any performance indicators that were ‘red-rated’.

(9)       RESOLVED that the report be noted.