Agenda item

Each year data is submitted to Data Cymru (previously called Data Unit Wales) for relative comparison alongside other Welsh Authorities.  The dataset submitted is known as the ‘Public Accountability Measures’ (PAMs) and enables local authorities to provide an accountof their performance to the public, including comparing their performance with that of other authorities.  The PAMs also enable the public to hold the authority to account over issues that matter most to them. 

In 2017/18, the PAM dataset comprised of 26 performance indicators, but comparisons for only 18 of these have been published by Data Cymru; only 14 have data directly comparable to 2016/17.  The remaining eight performance indicators are due to be published later in the year.  The 2016/17 year-end performance analysis compared the data for 24 performance indicators.

Against a backdrop of budget cuts and limited resources, Newport has continued to improve performance in national indicators.  The improvements reflect significant efforts made in service areas within the Council.

Performance for 2017/18 showed:

·        59% of our performance indicators have performed better than target;

·        36% of our performance indicators have performed better than last year;

·        40% of our performance indicators have performed better than Wales’ average

The published data indicates that three of the performance indicators are in the top quartile and a further five are in the upper middle quartile.  The analysis detailed in Appendix 1 of the report gives the performance for 2017/18 and includes the comparison of Newport City Council in relation to the other Welsh Local Authorities.

It is important to note that these comparator figures do not take into consideration the potential impacts of financial position, population demographics or service demands.  It is worth noting that Newport City Council has historically low levels of spending.  The Leader impressed on everyone the importance of the Council’s performance against SSA.

Cabinet noted that the published comparative data ranks local authorities against each other but does not include any qualitative standard of performance.

Whilst Cabinet acknowledged that improvement is needed, and maximising the Council’s performance within the resources available will be a priority, there have been some positive improvements:

·        Significant progress has been made in the percentage of pupil attendance in primary schools improving from 21^st to 14^th best in Wales since last year; (this improvement is unprecedented in Newport with many people collaborating to achieve this improvement with the ‘attendance matters’ campaign).  It was noted that there are very fine margins between some of the indicators – for example, a 1% increase in pupil attendance would put Newport City Council in the top quartile.

·        To be able to live independently is a priority for many residents; the Council has continued to deliver Disabled Facility Grants within statutory timescales and are the 4^th best in Wales for this indicator; (this was an important issue for the Cabinet Member as at one time Newport was 22^nd so a massive improvement for Newport which has been achieved without using extra funding);

·        The Pride in Newport campaign has continued throughout 2017/18, which has resulted in nearly 100% of reported fly-tipping incidents being cleared within five working days of the incident being reported.

In addition to the national indicators, the Council has adopted four Well-being Objectives and eight Improvement Plan Objectives, which were selected following consultation with the public, elected members and staff.  The objectives include some national performance indicators as well as locally set performance indicators, which support the delivery of the objectives.  The annual review of both the Well-being objectives and the Improvement Plan objectives show that the Council has made good progress against the areas that are important to residents.

Councillor Jeavons referenced page 59 (PAM/020) percentage of principal A roads that are in overall poor condition.  Newport is in Quartile 1 - Newport’s A roads are better than the Welsh average.

Decision:

Cabinet agreed the report.