Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2017 were confirmed as a true record.

CAB 56/17 

Improvement Plan 2016-18 Update for Quarter 1 (April – June 2017)

Options Considered/Reasons for Decision

The Leader presented the Improvement Plan update for quarter 1 (April – June 2017). 

The Leader highlighted that, as part of the new scrutiny structure and accountability arrangements in place, for the first time this report had been presented to the Scrutiny Committees for consideration before Cabinet.  The Leader thanked scrutiny colleagues for their detailed consideration and comments, and highlighted some of the key points raised in the report and scrutiny comments:

·         The overall rating for quarter 1 was Green – Good.

·         Three objectives were rated as Amber – Acceptable as some actions and measures had deviated from the plan are some were falling short of planned targets.  It was important that action was taken in quarter 2 to address underperforming measures. 

IP1 Improving independent living for older people

·         Cabinet noted the scrutiny comments and progress being made against this objective.

IP2 Ensuring people have the right social services to meet their needs

·         Performance on this objective was rated as Amber – Acceptable.  Cabinet noted the scrutiny comments and the reasons for missing this target which were set out in the report.  Performance had fallen slightly short of the target, but this was in the context of being one of the best performing authorities in Wales for this measure.  The percentage impact of this was also amplified due to the small numbers of cases involved.

IP3 Ensuring people have access to suitable accommodation

·         Performance on this objective was rated as Amber – Acceptable.  Cabinet noted the scrutiny comments, the reasons for the variance and the actions being taken to improve performance.

IP4 City regeneration and development

·         Cabinet noted that the measures and actions this objective 4 had been amended following the end of Vibrant and Viable Places funding in March 2017.

·         Cabinet noted the comments from scrutiny and welcomed the suggestion that the Performance Scrutiny Committee – Place and Corporate should monitor the implementation of the City Centre Masterplan once it had been adopted.

IP5 Supporting young people into education, employment or training

·         Cabinet echoed the Scrutiny Committee’s comments regarding the good progress being made towards this objective, particularly in relation to NEETs.

·         Cabinet also shared Scrutiny’s concerns regarding the potential risk of reduced funding in the future for this area as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and the impact that could have on the authority’s excellent performance in this area. 

IP6 Ensuring the best educational outcomes for children

·         Cabinet noted the Scrutiny Committee’s comments, reiterating the importance of good attendance to both the academic achievement and overall welfare of pupils.

·         Cabinet highlighted some of the initiatives helping to make progress on this objective, also congratulating staff on their success. 

IP7 Increasing recycling

·         Cabinet noted the suggestions from the Scrutiny Committee, which would be explored further.

·         Cabinet noted that the scrutiny review of the Waste Strategy would be concluding and reporting back soon. 

IP8 Improving outcomes for  ...  view the full decision text for item 2.

The Leader presented the Improvement Plan update for quarter 1 (April – June 2017). 

The Leader highlighted that, as part of the new scrutiny structure and accountability arrangements in place, for the first time this report had been presented to the Scrutiny Committees for consideration before Cabinet.  The Leader thanked scrutiny colleagues for their detailed consideration and comments, and highlighted some of the key points raised in the report and scrutiny comments:

·         The overall rating for quarter 1 was Green – Good.

·         Three objectives were rated as Amber – Acceptable as some actions and measures had deviated from the plan are some were falling short of planned targets.  It was important that action was taken in quarter 2 to address underperforming measures. 

IP1 Improving independent living for older people

·         Cabinet noted the scrutiny comments and progress being made against this objective.

IP2 Ensuring people have the right social services to meet their needs

·         Performance on this objective was rated as Amber – Acceptable.  Cabinet noted the scrutiny comments and the reasons for missing this target which were set out in the report.  Performance had fallen slightly short of the target, but this was in the context of being one of the best performing authorities in Wales for this measure.  The percentage impact of this was also amplified due to the small numbers of cases involved.

IP3 Ensuring people have access to suitable accommodation

·         Performance on this objective was rated as Amber – Acceptable.  Cabinet noted the scrutiny comments, the reasons for the variance and the actions being taken to improve performance.

IP4 City regeneration and development

·         Cabinet noted that the measures and actions this objective 4 had been amended following the end of Vibrant and Viable Places funding in March 2017.

·         Cabinet noted the comments from scrutiny and welcomed the suggestion that the Performance Scrutiny Committee – Place and Corporate should monitor the implementation of the City Centre Masterplan once it had been adopted.

IP5 Supporting young people into education, employment or training

·         Cabinet echoed the Scrutiny Committee’s comments regarding the good progress being made towards this objective, particularly in relation to NEETs.

·         Cabinet also shared Scrutiny’s concerns regarding the potential risk of reduced funding in the future for this area as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and the impact that could have on the authority’s excellent performance in this area. 

IP6 Ensuring the best educational outcomes for children

·         Cabinet noted the Scrutiny Committee’s comments, reiterating the importance of good attendance to both the academic achievement and overall welfare of pupils.

·         Cabinet highlighted some of the initiatives helping to make progress on this objective, also congratulating staff on their success. 

IP7 Increasing recycling

·         Cabinet noted the suggestions from the Scrutiny Committee, which would be explored further.

·         Cabinet noted that the scrutiny review of the Waste Strategy would be concluding and reporting back soon. 

IP8 Improving outcomes for youth justice

·         Performance on this objective was rated as Amber – Acceptable.  Cabinet noted the reasons for the variance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

CAB 57/17 

Performance Analysis: Year End Summary 2016/17

Options Considered/Reasons for Decision

The Leader presented the report, again highlighting that, as part of the new scrutiny structure and accountability arrangements in place, for the first time this report had been presented to the Scrutiny Committees for consideration before Cabinet.  The Leader thanked scrutiny colleagues for their detailed consideration and comments.

The All-Wales Data Analysis referred to  a small number of performance indicators which were submitted to Welsh Government annually for comparison between Councils.  This data set was decided nationally and did not cover all of the Council’s services.

The following positive achievements were highlighted:

·         The performance gap between councils was closing, reflecting a general improvement across all councils in actual performance and service delivery.

·         Newport had improved in 52% of its national measures and maintained performance in 12%; the Council had maintained a steady rate of improvement year on year which reflected the hard work and dedication of the council’s employees in the face of continuing financial challenges and a growing population receiving a diverse range of services.

·         Sickness levels for employees had continued to reduce reflecting a strong and committed workforce.

·         We had listened to citizens’ concerns around fly tipping in the city and had improved from being 16^th to 3^rd best in Wales to responding to reported incidents of fly tipping with almost 99% of reports being responded to within 5 days.

·         We had met and exceeded the national target for recycling, showing our dedication to sustainable management of the city’s waste for future generations.

·         All our looked after children had left school with qualifications

·         We had delivered disabled facility grants well within statutory timescales and are now the 6^th best in Wales.

·         We had continued to ensure that over 95% of food establishments were compliant with food hygiene standards.

Cabinet recognised that there were also negative conclusions in the report, with a high proportion of measures in quartile 4, and 32% of measures declining in performance.  Cabinet noted the reasons for variances in performance, and highlighted that this was in the context of ongoing financial pressures and reducing budgets.  Cabinet also noted the actions being taken corporately to increase focus on performance, including a new performance management strategy, accountability process, and monitoring system.

Decision:

To note the contents of the report. 

Consultation

Chief Executive, Strategic Directors, Heads of Service

Implemented By:Strategic Directors, Heads of Service

The Leader presented the report, again highlighting that, as part of the new scrutiny structure and accountability arrangements in place, for the first time this report had been presented to the Scrutiny Committees for consideration before Cabinet.  The Leader thanked scrutiny colleagues for their detailed consideration and comments.

The All-Wales Data Analysis referred to a small number of performance indicators which were submitted to Welsh Government annually for comparison between Councils.  This data set was decided nationally and did not cover all of the Council’s services.

The following positive achievements were highlighted:

·         The performance gap between councils was closing, reflecting a general improvement across all councils in actual performance and service delivery.

·         Newport had improved in 52% of its national measures and maintained performance in 12%; the Council had maintained a steady rate of improvement year on year which reflected the hard work and dedication of the council’s employees in the face of continuing financial challenges and a growing population receiving a diverse range of services.

·         Sickness levels for employees had continued to reduce reflecting a strong and committed workforce.

·         We had listened to citizens’ concerns around fly tipping in the city and had improved from being 16^th to 3^rd best in Wales to responding to reported incidents of fly tipping with almost 99% of reports being responded to within 5 days.

·         We had met and exceeded the national target for recycling, showing our dedication to sustainable management of the city’s waste for future generations.

·         All our looked after children had left school with qualifications

·         We had delivered disabled facility grants well within statutory timescales and are now the 6^th best in Wales.

·         We had continued to ensure that over 95% of food establishments were compliant with food hygiene standards.

Cabinet recognised that there were also negative conclusions in the report, with a high proportion of measures in quartile 4, and 32% of measures declining in performance.  Cabinet noted the reasons for variances in performance, and highlighted that this was in the context of ongoing financial pressures and reducing budgets.  Cabinet also noted the actions being taken corporately to increase focus on performance, including a new performance management strategy, accountability process, and monitoring system.

Decision:

To note the contents of the report. 

CAB 58/17 

Cabinet Work Programme

Options Considered/Reasons for Decision

The Leader presented the Cabinet Work Programme.

Decision:

To agree the proposed programme.

Consultation

Chief Officers; Head of Law and Regulation; Head of Finance; Head of People and Business Change.

Implemented By:  Head of Democratic Services

The Leader presented the Cabinet Work Programme.

Decision:

To agree the proposed programme.