To consider additional information for the Quarter 1 performance management information presented by the Performance Manager.

The Performance Manager presented the report detailing additional information for Quarter 1.  He observed that generally the direction of travel was positive although there were some exceptions.  Referring to Q1 Performance slides [copy attached to signed copy of the minutes] he commented that this additional information gave the opportunity to look at information unavailable when the committee previously considered the Q1 performance.

Referring to slide 1, Job Seekers Allowance Claimant Count, the Performance Manager drew Members’ attention to the steady reduction in the Long Term Claimant count but it was noted that this remained twice the level of December 2008.

Members noted that Slide 2 showed that the gap between the number of Shropshire Schools rated as outstanding and the National average was closing rapidly.  In response to a Member’s query about changes in practice, the Performance Manager confirmed that the Officer responsible for schools ensured that early intervention took place where schools were observed to be encountering difficulties and support was provided.  Members noted that only schools within the Council’s control were included in the figures.

The Performance Manager drew Members’ attention to the two red dots on Slide 3 which showed a sharp drop in performance for keeping Shropshire’s streets clean.  In response to a Member’s question, the Director for Commissioning stated that the fall in standards was due to the contractor redirecting litter picking teams to road resurfacing work following a period of poor winter weather and this information had not been communicated to the Council at the time. 

A Member stated that the Contractor had failed to undertake a substantial amount of work specified in its contract with the Council, the Director for Commissioning agreed to look into the matter and provide information outside the meeting. 

Members considered slide 4 which showed the numbers of visitors to theatres, museums, libraries and leisure facilities over a rolling 12 month period.  It was noted that libraries continued to see a reduction in visitors whilst visitor numbers to leisure facilities were increasing.  A Member commented that a recent survey undertaken in schools showed that a substantial number of families did not have access to the internet at home and queried the impact of the withdrawal of internet access within the library service on this group. 

The Director of Commissioning explained that the Environment and Services Scrutiny Committee had recently scrutinised the library service in the County and as part of this work an Equalities Impact Assessment had been undertaken.  He continued that the Council was intending to operate libraries in a different way.  In response to a Member’s query he confirmed that where library services were transferred to other service providers, staff who had not been directly employed by the Council were offered a detailed training programme to ensure that they had the necessary skills to provide the requisite level of service.

The Performance Manager stated that the latest data for waste recycling was at 41.5% compared to a target of 51%.  The National average was 41%.  The Director for Commissioning added that Veolia were spending £6,000 over 12 months to promote recycling following concerns over a drop in the volume of waste being recycled.  He confirmed that this was being fully funded by Veolia.

Members considered slide 5 which showed a comparison between 2014/15 and 2015/16 for referrals to Children’s Social Care, showing a drop in referrals when compared to the same period the previous year.  It was noted that this was due in part to new working practices through a redesigned ‘Front Door’ approach, improved inter-agency working and earlier intervention through the Early Help Programme. 

Members noted the numbers of Looked after Children and the Numbers of Children with Child Protection Plans shown on slide 6.  In response to a Member’s query the Performance Manager explained that children with Child Protection Plans were those deemed to be at risk from significant harm.  It was suggested that the Young People’s Scrutiny Committee may wish to consider why Shropshire had a higher number of children with Child Protection Plans than similar authorities.

The final slide showed an increase in delays in transfer in care from hospital from the same period of the previous year.  Work with partners to improve matters was ongoing.  The Director for Adult Social Care confirmed that the Council was responsible for only 15 to 20% of delays.  He continued that those predominantly affected were older people who had more complex needs than the general population.  This group of people were often required to make significant decisions regarding their future on leaving hospital which could not always be made quickly.  The Director for Adult Social Care confirmed that delays were not caused by lack of funding for support packages and the over spend of his department’s budget was not relevant or a contributing factor to the delays. 

Referring to the dashboards appended to the report distributed with the Agenda the Performance Manger drew Members’ attention to final dashboard, ‘I want to live a long, enjoyable and health life’, chart 7 which showed that a higher number of Shropshire residents considered they had control over their daily lives compared to the figures for the West Midlands area; the Shropshire figure had improved considerably whilst the National figures had remained static. The perceived quality of life had also slightly improved.

RESOLVED:

That the Additional Information for Quarter 1 Performance Report 2014/15 be noted.