Agenda item

The Strategic Insight Manager and Strategic Programme Management Office Manager introduced a report that set out the latest performance information for the second quarter of the 2020/21 financial year to the end of September 2020 including the corporate balanced scorecard indicators, update on 26 key projects and progress on the current Manifesto commitments.

The report included four new performance indicators and new 2020/21 year end targets across the balanced scorecard.  The new measures were young people’s happiness, percentage of overweight and obese children in reception and year 6 and the number of service requests that took 90 or more days to close.  Progress on performance indicators had been variable in Quarter 2, primarily due to significant impacts of the Covid-19.  Of the balanced scorecard indicators for the second quarter, nine were ‘green’, eight were ‘amber’ and four were ‘red’.

The impacts of Covid-19 were highlighted and these included increased unemployment with Slough’s claimant count rising from 8.3% to 8.5%; pressures on services; lower Council Tax and Business Rates collection; shorter journey time and reduce crime rates.  The overall trends had remained broadly in line with the previous quarter.  The progress of key projects was summarised and it was noted that 46% were ‘green’, 35% were ‘amber’ and 19% were ‘red’.  Key achievements during the reporting period were the hotels project on the Old Library Site which was nearing completion ahead of schedule and progress on preparations for the Census 2021.  In relation to reporting on manifesto commitments 22 were categorised as complete, 18 were ‘green’ and 3 were ‘amber’ with 0 were ‘red’.

Members asked about the changes to indicators being reported on and it was noted that two had been removed – percentage of waste sent to landfill and empty properties brought back into use to be replaced by the four new indicators.

The following is a summary of the specific queries raised on various indicators:

·  Council and business rates collection – it was noted that collection rates had reduced across local authorities due to Covid-19.  The Council was taking action to collect revenues, but the number of people claiming benefits and Council Tax Support had risen and would negatively impact on the Council’s income.

·  Childhood obesity – Slough was marginally above the national rate and the Council and partners had plans in place to seek to reduce the levels.  The new performance indicators in the balanced scorecard would ensure Members were kept up to date on progress.

·  Journey times – the fall in traffic movements due to Covid-19 had reduced average journey times.  The trends would be monitored in 2021 as restrictions were eased and the economy opened up.

Councillor Strutton raised a number of issues under Rule 30.  Officers present responded to them wherever possible.  More detailed information could be provided outside of the meeting by service managers on any specific queries.  A number of the points raised related to the impacts of Covid-19 on the impacts of physical activity during the past year of “lockdowns”, demand for mental health services, estate inspections by housing officers and support for people to live independently. 

In relation to the Gold Projects Councillor Strutton asked about the progress on the ‘Future Delivery of Children’s Services’.  It was noted that the information in the report was for Quarter 2 which was to the end of September 2021, so the position had moved on considerably since the reporting period.  Relevant Officers could provide a more recent update outside of the meeting at the request of Members.

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

Resolved –  That the Council’s current performance as measured by the performance indicators within the balanced scorecard, the progress status of the gold projects, and progress against the Manifesto commitments be noted.