The Committee is asked to consider the Performance Monitoring Report.

The Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance and the Policy and Performance Manager have been invited to attend for this item.

The Chairman welcomed the Policy and Performance Manager and Business Improvement Officer to the meeting for this item.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance introduced the report which set out the quarterly portfolio-based balanced scorecard performance reports for Quarter 4 (January to March 2018).  He drew attention to the high targets set and praised the excellent performance figures achieved.  The Policy and Performance Manager gave an explanation of the Balanced Scorecard Performance reports.

Corporate Overview

A Member raised a concern at the high risk scores for Cyber security and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).  The Policy and Performance Manager reminded Members that the risk summary on the scorecard was at a very high level and that much more detail on risk management was regularly provided to the Audit Committee.

In the discussion that followed, the Chairman said that he expected the GDPR risk to be high because of the high impact a breach might have.  Another Member was pleased that there were plans in place to reduce risks and suggested that the GDPR Officer should work with the Information Commissioners Office to stress test.

The Policy and Performance Manager agreed to provide Members with more detail on the two risks identified.

A Member drew attention to the high levels of long-term sickness.   The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance advised that long-term sickness was not controllable and that just a few members of staff being off could alter the figures.  He added that the Health and Safety Committee monitored stress levels of staff at their meetings.  The Chairman agreed that short-term sickness levels needed to be managed, but reminded the Committee that the figures were from January 2018 – March 2018 when winter sickness was more common.

Environment and Rural Affairs

Members congratulated all those involved in achieving 100%  target in responding to complaints.

Finance and Performance

There was no discussion.

Housing and Wellbeing

In response to a question from a Member, the Strategic Housing and Health Manager gave the definition of Affordable Housing as set by Central Government.  In response to a question from the same Member, the Housing Options Manager clarified that the graph showed the number of people who had been prevented from becoming homeless after approaching Housing for advice, and added that some customers didn’t return after the first approach.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance praised the work of Resident Services.  A Member agreed and spoke positively about the continued increase in the number of long-term empty homes being brought back into use.

Planning Services

The Policy and Performance Manager highlighted the improvements across the service.  A Member gave particular praise to the improvements in response times in Planning Enforcement.

Regeneration

The Chairman praised the 100% target achieved in response to complaints. 

In response to a question from a Member, the Policy and Performance Manager agreed to provide a follow-up response on why the Rateable Business Growth always peaked in Quarter One.

A Member drew attention to the low levels of achievement in the Swale skills profile and suggested that this issue could be looked at in the future.

Safer Families and Communities (now Housing and Safer Communities)

A Member was pleased to see the steady decrease in the number of antisocial behaviour incidents.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, the Policy and Performance Manager and the Business Improvement Officer for their attendance.