Members considered the latest performance management report. The Strategic Director for Corporate and Community Services introduced the report. He explained that overall, performance had improved compared to the previous quarter, with 68% of indicators on target. Where indicators were off-target, improvement plans, agreed with the Lead Member, were in place and published on the borough website. A review process involving the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Panel was also in place. The document was continually evolving  and further improvements to the layout and use of data were planned for the next quarter.

The Lead Member for Children’s Services highlighted target ACH4, the percentage of children in care with a personal education plan. A large number of children had come into care in the autumn term and there had not yet been enough time to properly assess their needs. It was anticipated that all plans would be in place by the end of February 2017. In relation to ACH10, the percentage of care leavers in education, employment or training, it was noted the cohort was small and some of the individuals were teenage parents, in the penal system or had significant learning difficulties that would preclude them from being in education, employment or training. When the target was set for the following year, it would relate to those who could practically be in education, employment or training. The Lead Member commented that the attainment gap for children receiving pupil premium remained a focus. As part of the budget for next year the council had agreed to match fund the pupil premium (£120,000) to ensure the right resources were available.

The Lead Member for Customer and Business Services highlighted that business rates collection rates were just short but well ahead of the situation the previous year. There were no concerns about meeting the target by year end. Members noted that the borough received approximately 500 complaints per year from a population of over 100,000. In Housing Benefits the number of complaints had reduced by 94%. The Lead Member felt that going forward it would be important to monitor the number of complaints as well as those upheld. In relation to the number of projects completed, the figure was now 71% compared to 63% in the report. The number of calls answered within one minute was just off-target. It was noted that the indicator relating to the number of residents taking up customer services out of hours may be off target as all aspects of the digital channel were due for completion by the 1 April 2017 and the service had purposely not been heavily marketed.

The Lead Member for Environmental Services referred to indicator OCS24 in relation to fly tipping. He assured Members that the council was keeping an eye on the target and wanted to reduce the number of incidences. An action plan was in place to achieve the target by year end including proactive enforcement and prosecution where sufficient evidence was available.  In relation to OCS37, performance was slightly down in terms of the number of non-compliant food premises. Out of 28 premises inspected, 6 had received a rating of 0 or 1 star. An intensive programme was in place to improve their hygiene scores and all would be reviewed again before the end of the year. The Lead Member agreed to provide the Chairman with further details of what action could be taken if any premises did not improve on re-inspection.

The Principal Member for Maidenhead Regeneration and Maidenhead highlighted that Waltham St Lawrence Primary School had just received its latest Ofsted rating and had moved from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’. He extended his congratulations to the headteacher and staff at the school. The Chairman suggested that a press release be issued and that the Lead Member should write to the headteacher to offer congratulations. The Lead Member for Children’s Services confirmed that schools were written to as a matter of course. She highlighted that All Saints Junior School had also received their rating, which had been maintained at ‘good’.

The Lead Member for Planning  explained that the indicator relating to the processing of ‘other’ planning applications was just off target; an improvement plan to remediate the situation was in place and he hoped the target would be green for the next quarter. Performance was at 83 % compared to 64% in the same quarter the previous year. He thanked all in the area for the work undertaken to improve performance. In relation to the number of planning appeals lost, training had been provided to all members of the Development Management Panels and the council was getting better feedback from the Planning Inspectorate.

The Lead Member for Finance suggested that Cabinet should receive an annual review of complaints to ensure learning was promulgated to all departments. The Lead Member for Customer and Business Services agreed that this could be provided.

The Lead Member for Adult Services and Health explained that it had been expected that the number of people permanently admitted to a nursing or care home would increase, but methods had been put in place to reduce this, including telecare. It was anticipated that performance relating to telecare would be exceeded by year end. The Lead Member highlighted that performance was off target in relation to the percentage of care homes rated good or better by the CQC, however the council did not have statutory control of the performance of care homes unless there was a safeguarding issue. The measure was included to act as their conscience to improve standards.

Councillor Jones expressed concern in relation to ACH19, smoking cessation targets. In the summer of 2016 she had called in the decision to reduce the budget as she had not been happy with the detail and justification in the report. The performance was nowhere near target. She questioned whether the right provider was in place and was doing what the council wanted? The Chairman commented that this had also been raised by the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

The Managing Director explained that the council’s approach was to work closely with the contractor to ensure they were reaching the rights parts of the community. Unfortunately the targeted groups were not coming forward to take up the service, therefore the contractor had been asked to review and work with GPs to increase referrals. The issue was being looked at on a monthly basis. The Chairman suggested the Adult Services and Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel establish a Task and Finish Group to look at improvements to service provision. If further budget was required this should be considered.

The Chairman commented that the report was becoming more digestible and transparent. Remediation plans for indicators that were off target for two or more quarters were being reviewed by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Panel, therefore improvements were anticipated.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Cabinetnotes the report and:

i)     Notes the progress towards meeting the council’s strategic priorities and objectives.

ii)    Requests Strategic Directors in conjunction with the relevant Lead Member(s) progress improvement actions for indicators that are off target.