Agenda item

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

1.    Miss Carey introduced this report which set out the key areas of performance for the authority.  The indicators within the report showed the long-term trends and there were 38 key performance figures within the report; 25 were rated green, 10 rated amber, and 3 rated red (2 in Education and one in Adult Social Services).  The net direction of travel was positive with 16 indicators improving, 14 showing a fall in performance and 8 with no change. 

2.    Miss Carey explained that the report also set out the risk register and one new risk had been added “Post Brexit border systems and infrastructure arrangements”.  There had also been a change to risk ratings; on the budget the risk was at amber, and if savings were delivered this would move to green, if savings were not delivered it would move to red. 

3.    The Leader explained that the performance outturn report would be debated at County Council on 12 July. 

4.    Mr Fitzgerald set out the highlights of the report, he said that the majority of indicators were ‘green’ and the net direction of travel was positive.  He drew out important information for Members as follows:

a.    Customer Services     

                                  i.    Good performance was being maintained for caller satisfaction, but the number of calls answered was slightly below target.  There had been an increase in the use of KCC’s website.

b.    Economic Development & Communities

                                  i.    Job creation through the RGF schemes had increased and the funds were now being recycled delivering further job creation. 

                                ii.    Housing delivery was now running at close to 7000 for 3 years in a row.

c.    Environment and Transport

                                  i.    Core service delivery for highways maintenance was maintained throughout the quarter despite weather pressures. 

                                ii.    The pothole blitz was in progress. 

                               iii.    Recycling rates across the county were good with the percentage of municipal waste diverted from landfill remaining at 99%. 

d.    Education

                                  i.    Ofsted inspection results were very good with 92% across both primary and secondary, in early years 97% were rated as good or outstanding. 

                                ii.    Apprenticeship Starts was below target for the last academic year and this reflected trends nationally.

                               iii.    There was a red indicator on completion of Education, Health and Care Plans, there had been huge demand in this area and existing SEN statements had had to be converted but this was now complete.  

                               iv.    There was also a reduction in children entering primary school at reception for the first time in ten years. 

e.    Integrated Children’s Services

                                  i.    Outcomes achieved for early help cases was close to target.

                                ii.    Results within specialist children’s services were all very good with nearly all green indicators.

                               iii.    Children on child protection plans had decreased in the last quarter and was now in line with the national average. 

                               iv.    There had also been a reduction in the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children supported by Kent with the dispersal scheme reducing demand on placements.

f.     Adult Social Care

                                  i.    Contacts resolved at first point of contact remained above target.

                                ii.    The numbers for enablement now included the externally commissioned Hilton Nursing.

                               iii.    There were still throughput issues with the inhouse service and availability of home care placements in certain parts of the county. 

                               iv.    There was a currently a commissioning exercise underway looking at care at home. 

                                v.    Delayed discharges from hospital remained ahead of target.

g.    Public Health

                                  i.    Health Checks completed in year was on target for the 5^th year in a row. 

                                ii.    For the Health Visiting service activity had increased ahead of target.

5.    Mr Fitzgerald concluded by assuring Members that the report was good news, there were some areas where targets were not being met but these were being closely monitored. 

6.    Mr Carter confirmed that there would be a report to County Council on the outturn for the year.  Mr Carter referred to education attainment figures at the various key stages and asked that this be included, Mr Fitzgerald explained that it was included in the commentary and would be highlighted in the annual report to County Council. 

7.    Mr Gough (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education) mentioned the Education, Health and Care Plans and the fall in delivery within the 20 week deadline.  This was a significant issue for the Council, however the indicator judged performance against the national average which was for 2017 and national averages had been falling because of the rise in demand for EHCPs but this would be monitored.  Work was being undertaken to ensure effective recruitment and retention of Educational Psychologists.  Referring to Child Protection plans there had previously been a rise in demand and numbers of social workers had increased to deal with this.  This was now at a more manageable level.  The number of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children was much lower, however Mr Gough considered that the national transfer scheme was not working well and the indicator did not show the high level of care leavers. 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.