Agenda item

David Whittle (Director of Strategy, Policy, Relationships & Corporate Assurance) was in attendance for this item.

1.    Mr Whittle outlined the report for Quarter 1 (Q1) which set out the performance data up to the end of June 2024. Mr Whittle said that out of the 40 KPIs contained within the Quarterly Performance Report (QPR), 17 achieved or exceeded target (rated Green), 14 achieved or exceeded the floor standard but did not meet the target (rated Amber), and 8 did not meet floor standard (rated Red). The direction of travel analysis indicated 11 with a positive trend (2 more than the previous Quarter); 21 were stable or with no clear trend (one more than the previous Quarter), and 7 were showing a negative trend (2 fewer than the previous Quarter). The data was significantly different from Q1 for 2023-2024 where only 4 indicators had a positive trend and 10 were showing a negative trend. In relation to improving KPIs. Mr Whittle addressed the KPIs assessed as Red, those indicating signs of improvement and those which continued to exceed target.

2.    Further to comments and questions from Members it was noted:

• In response to the number of potholes repaired, performance continued to improve since the introduction of KCC Highways staff completing minor and urgent repairs, however, the level of demand continued to be high. The number of pothole repair requests had risen from 5,376 to 7,856 for the same period last year. Mr Baker paid tribute to all staff for their exceptional and continued hard work which kept the county moving.

• In response to the statistics for the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) issued within 20 weeks, it was noted that the data was based on a rolling 12-month average and therefore the impact of the significant work that had been undertaken within the SEND service to improve delays would only come to fruition in the Q1 KPIs. It was anticipated that significant improvement would start to be seen in the like-for-like comparison to previous quarters going forward.

• In response to Ofsted inspection data which highlighted Kent’s schools as performing above the national average, it was noted that the data would be discontinued following Government’s proposed reforms to Ofsted grading.   It was noted that the removal of Ofsted ratings concealed information from parents that would help to shape their choices of school for their child’s future.

• Members commented on the improvements to the Strengthening Independence Service and the hard work of staff.

• In response to the percentage of case-holding Social Worker posts held by permanent qualified Social Workers, it was noted that a number of initiatives had been rolled out to ensure increased retention and recruitment rates, which included joining the national front line charity initiative to increase recruitment capacity and training. The Government had also issued new guidelines for agency Social Workers which placed more restrictions on the ability of Social Workers to transfer to agency work, which as a result could hinder the Council’s ability to retain them. The impact of those changes would not be seen until later quarters.

• In regard to Care Leavers, it was noted that the percentage of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Care Leavers was greater than Kent Care Leavers. However, the data pertaining to the percentage of unaccompanied young people not in education, employment or training remained high due to the timing of when they entered the country and therefore remained without status. Confirmation had been received from the Home Office that those young people without status would have their applications prioritised which would then help them to participate in employment, education or training.

• It was noted that a number of deep dives had been initiated as a result of the KPI data to address what could be done to shift those which were RED rated onto a more positive trajectory; however, work would continue to look at areas for improvement, particularly in relation to the financial pressures.

3.    RESOLVED to note the Quarter 1 Performance Report and the actions being taken to address areas where performance is not as targeted.