Agenda item

Matthew Wagner, Chief Analyst (Strategy, Policy, Relationships & Corporate Assurance) and David Whittle, Director of Strategy, Policy, Relationships & Corporate Assurance were in attendance for this item

1. Mr  Wagner outlined the report for Quarter 2 (Q2, 2024/25) which set out the performance data up to the end of September 2024. Mr Wagner noted that of the 40 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) contained within the QPR, 16 achieved target (Green), and 15 achieved or exceeded the floor standard but did not meet target (Amber). Eight KPIs did not meet the floor standard (Red), and one had no data at time of publication. With regards to Direction of Travel, 11 indicators showed a positive trend (the same as the previous Quarter), 22 were stable or with no clear trend (one more than the previous Quarter), and six were showing a negative trend (one fewer than the previous Quarter). The direction of travel analysis was positive in comparison to Quarter 2 last year when there were four fewer KPIs on an improving trend and six more KPIs on a worsening trend. There were no KPIs that were rated red under Growth, Economic Development and Communities, Environment and Transport, Adult Social Care, or Public Health. Mr Wagner 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 % of pupils (with EHCPs) being placed in independent or out of county special schools, the move from Red to Amber was welcomed. A significant amount of work was underway as part of the Special Schools Review which would be integral to improving the trajectory of KPIs going forward. Placements closer to home were essential to a child’s education; however, a significant shift that would be taking place as part of the Special School Review was ensuring that schools with the right specialisms were in the right places.

·         From September 2024, inspections of state funded schools no longer included a judgement on overall effectiveness. Inspections in the upcoming academic year would be presented as four grades across the existing sub-categories with the overall rating to be replaced with School Report Cards from September 2025. The KPI for this would therefore no longer be reported on. In terms of whether KCC would look to recreate the overall grade rating, it was initially determined that the Council would not become the accountable body to put something into effect which the government wanted to remove from the inspection arrangements. Discussions were ongoing as to how to measure and report on school performance data following the reforms introduced by Government.

·         The number of properties brought back into active use through the No Use Empty programme remained above target. In Q2 there had been a total of 119 long-term empty properties made fit for occupation through the scheme, bringing the total over the last six months to 257 properties, and the total since 2005 to 8,501. The Kent and Medway Business Fund had also approved loans in the region of £1.64m since July 2023 and continued to support small businesses in Kent.

·         Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) related matters continued to impact on the KPIs for Integrated Children’s Services, primarily in relation to the percentage of case-holding social worker posts held by permanent qualified social workers employed by Kent County Council and percentage of Care Leavers in education, employment or training. Despite the effective and efficient operation of the service, the volume of UASC was significantly impacting on the delivery of children’s services.

·         A significant amount of work had been undertaken within the Information Resilience and Transparency team to work with services across the Council to improve FoI request management and reduce the backlog. The backlog had now been cleared due in large part to the tremendous efforts of Ms Kelly Leeson, to whom tributes were paid. Work was still underway to improve completion timescales for Subject Access Requests (SARs).

3. RESOLVED that Cabinet note the Quarter 2 Performance Report and the actions being taken to address areas where performance is not as targeted.