Agenda item

The Committee considered a report that set out the latest performance information for the 2016/17 financial year including the corporate balanced scorecard indicators and update on major projects.

Sixteen performance indicators had been assigned a RAG status during the period, of which two were rated ‘red’ – the prevalence of children with ‘excess weight’ at the start of primary school and the prevalence of children with ‘excess weight’ at the end of primary school.  Members expressed concern about the apparent lack of progress on childhood obesity despite the range of actions undertaken in recent years.  It was noted that there were significant health and diet related programmes in schools as well as activities in parks with schools, children and families including the installation of numerous green gyms.  Members queried the usage and publicity of initiatives and it was agreed that information regarding footfall/usage of green gyms installed in public parks to be circulated to the Committee and that the communications team ensure that any future Council initiatives relating to childhood obesity were well publicised.  The Committee would consider a report at its next meeting in September to scope the remit of a potential Task & Finish Group on childhood obesity to seek to change the ‘red’ RAG status.  More generally, it was agreed that future reports include more information about the financial impact and measures taken to address those projects that were given a ‘red’ RAG status.

A Member queried why the outcome measure on safeguarding children did not have a specific target set.  The reasons were explained and was noted that each Child Protection Plan was tailored to meet individual needs and included set measures that were appropriate to the child’s circumstances.

The progress of key projects was reviewed and the success of the LED Street Lighting and Fleet Challenge programmes was noted.  There were some issues relating to the budget and timescales of major transport schemes, however, it was reported that action had been taken to address any issues since the end of the reporting period.  Members requested that further details relating to potential budget impact regarding delays in the Slough Major Transport Schemes to be circulated to Committee Members.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the report was noted.

Resolved –  That the Council’s current performance, as measured by the indicators within the balanced scorecard and update on Gold Projects, be noted.