Agenda item

Consider report by Chief Executive presenting a quarterly performance update for Members.  (Copy attached.)

2.1     With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 9 December 2014, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive presenting a quarterly performance update for Members for Quarter 3, 2014/15.  The report provided a high level summary of performance with a more detailed presentation and explanation of each Performance Indicator (PI) shown in Appendix 1.  Where quarterly information was not available, for example figures for school attainment, annual PIs were used. All the information contained in the report was also available on the Council’s website.  The high level summary of performance measures for the quarter were divided within the report into two lists indicating key successes and  those areas where performance was below target.  The report detailed actions being taken to either improve or maintain performance in respect of the agreed Corporate Priorities. The Service Director Strategy and Policy highlighted the key areas of the Quarterly Report for Members and gave further information where requested.

2.2.    With regard to Corporate Priority 1 ‘encourage sustainable growth’ and in response to questions on the percentage of planning applications determined within 2 months falling over the past two quarters, the Service Director Regulatory Services explained that actions were being taken to streamline the process, particularly in respect of the time taken for legal agreements to be finalised.  He advised that Scottish Government was changing the performance measure to reflect average time taken to process planning applications although clarification was awaited from Ministers on the basis of that measure. It was noted that, in view of particular challenges faced in the Scottish Borders, such as large scale wind farm applications and a relatively high number of legal agreements associated with planning approvals, it was important that the Council’s performance be compared against a similar family group of local authorities rather than against national figures.  In further discussion, Members recognised the need to understand issues behind the performance figures presented.  This was particularly so within Social Work in respect of  the PI showing a fall in the percentage of adults over 65 receiving long-term care and intensive homecare.  This was affected by the number of clients who were moving to Self-Directed Support (SDS).  To more accurately reflect the work being done to increase uptake of SDS, a measure would be introduced for future reports.  It was agreed that it would be useful for a workshop to be organised to enable Members to gain a true understanding of all the issues around care at home and the Council’s work around SDS.  Members drew attention to areas not covered by the performance report which they felt should be addressed, such as performance across the Community Planning Partnership, inequalities and the monitoring of demographic changes within communities.   With reference to action 5(b) of the Minute of 9 December 2014, it was noted that the Leader had not yet received a reply to his letter to Scottish Government requesting the scope be widened for the use of Proceeds of Crime money for local initiatives.  It was agreed that this should be further pursued at the highest level.

2.3.    The report went on to explain that the Local Government Benchmarking Framework was publicly released on 30 January 2015. Reference was made to information on benchmarking that had previously been provided at a briefing for Members.  Where appropriate, Scottish Borders Council performance in relation to other Councils was highlighted within the appendix to the report.  A key part of the Local Government Benchmarking Framework was the sharing of best practice amongst similar local authorities.  Within family groups, that is those local authorities who shared similar geographic characteristics, population etc., officers were already taking part in meetings to explore and share best practice.  In respect of the Benchmarking Framework, comparative data could be accessed at the new My Local Council website. The Executive Member for HR and Corporate Improvement commented that the ultimate goal was to set up a national performance framework to build a measure of true utility across the country which would be a source of pertinent information and would drive improvement.

          DECISION

(a)     NOTED the performance presented within the appendix to the Quarterly Performance Report and the action being taken within Services to improve or maintain performance.

(b)     AGREED:

(i)      that the Leader seek a response to his letter to the Scottish Government requesting the scope for the use of Proceeds of Crime money be widened to enable funding of local sports, not just rugby and football; and

(ii)     to hold a seminar for Members on the work of the Community Planning Partnership.