To consider the Quarter 4 Performance Management Report presented by the Performance Manager.

Contact: Tom Dodds, Information, Intelligence and Insight Manager , tel 01743 258518

The Performance Manager introduced the report.  He observed that most areas of the report remained unchanged and that there had been a few significant improvements and giving examples of:

·         Delayed transfers of care

·         Theatre Severn attendance

·         Market halls

Whilst admissions to residential care had reduced, this was explained by a revised policy to keep people in their own homes.

He continued that there was continuing pressure on looked after children, a small reduction in transport and highways satisfaction levels and an increase in killed and seriously injured on the roads.

A Member observed that the report before the Committee had already been considered by Cabinet and requested clarification on the role of the Committee.  The Performance Manager advised Members that it was the Cabinet’s duty to manage performance, the Committee’s remit was to consider the contents of the performance reports, and, if minded, to identify issues for scrutiny or overview.  

In response to a Member’s query on the revised Financial Strategy and reductions to the Public Health budget, the Performance Manager advised that the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group had had several opportunities to review the Financial Strategy including the changes to the public health budget.  The Chief Executive observed that Council’s decision to increase staff pay from October 2018 had had an impact on the Financial Strategy.  He continued that the Public Health Grant was ring fenced and could only be used for specific public health requirements but it would now be used for a greater number of areas of expenditure.  He continued that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be considering the proposals to improve public health outcomes at its September meeting. 

A Member asked if the projected savings in the public health budgets and increased expenditure in the Adults Social Care expenditure equated to cuts in services.  The Chief Executive responded that an ongoing process of integration of systems with the CCG would lead to savings without the need for cuts in services. Public Health was also becoming better integrated with other Council Services which was reducing costs.  He continued that within the public health remit the only item with a red rating was the raise in numbers of those killed or seriously injured on the roads. 

Members queried whether savings could be made without cuts in services, the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance responded that by delivering service outcomes more efficiently spending could be reduced.  He continued that greater efficiency could be achieved through the renegotiation of contracts with suppliers or delivering some services in-house, a reduction in spend was not necessarily a reduction in outcomes.

A Member requested that more information be provided on the overall health and wellbeing outcomes across the county, she observed that the information provided tended to be centred on Shrewsbury.  Information was also requested on environmental performance and it was suggested that a Task and Finish Group might be established to consider measures to reduce energy consumption. 

Referring to section 6.3 of the report a Member’s requested assurance that the 1% of food and drink premises in Shropshire with a 1 start rating were being given support to improve.  Referring to section 9.2 he requested information on the type of contract the additional employees received.  The Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance responded that using reserves was an unsustainable method of financing expenditure, he continued that there had been a shift in Government funding to a position where grants were provided for one or two years with no indication that they would continue and therefore had to be treated as one-off funding that may or may not continue. 

Members noted the reduction in average wages, outline in section 7.3 of the report.  It was suggested that this would be an appropriate subject for a Task and Finish Group with the purpose it identify why wages were falling.  A member observed that the work of the Brexit Task and Finish Group had identified this issue and had also observed a shortage of skills in the workforce, with many skilled workers living in Shropshire but commuting out of the county to work.  He noted that the Shropshire Business Board would be considering this area at its September meeting. 

In response to a Members question, the Performance Manager explained that statistics on housing were not included in the report as they had not significantly changed.  He also informed Members that the reporting framework for the coming year was being revised. 

The Chairman of the Communities Overview Committee advised that her Committee would be establishing a Task and Finish Group to consider the issue of community transport.  Members commented that the provision of suitable housing and appropriate transport was key to attracting employers with well paid jobs into Shropshire. 

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.