Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the targets set by the Board’s Performance Working Group on 2^nd September 2009.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the targets set by the Board’s Performance Working Group held on 2^nd September 2009.

Appended to the report was a copy of the minutes of the Scrutiny Board (City Development) Performance Working Group held on 2^nd September 2009, together with a list of all targets monitored by the Board, including comments on how the data was collected, for the information/comment of the meeting.

Paul Maney, Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement, City Development was in attendance and responded to Member’s queries and comments.

He specifically referred to the minutes of the Working Group held on 2^nd September 2009 and on a point of accuracy, he stated that Minute 2.2 should have read as follows:-

‘Paul Maney proceeded to explain to members the process by which targets were agreed. Within the Local Area Agreement there are up to 35 indicators agreed with the Government. Performance against these targets affects the amount of funding allocated to the authority, so clearly officers are reluctant to agree to targets which are too challenging.’

He also referred to one or two further factual inaccuracies and

the Board accepted the revised minute as now reported subject to any further factual amendments by the Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement .

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• clarification as to whether or not the new Inspector Assessment process commencing in November 2009 would have an impact on the proposed changes

(The Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement responded and outlined the on-going inspection process, with specific reference to un-announced inspections)

• clarification of the process arising in setting targets

(The Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement responded and outlined the current process with specific reference to national and regional targets imposed by Government, together with local area agreements and the Annual Audit process)

• clarification of ‘NI 18 Adult participation in sport’ and how this was quantified and measured

(The Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement responded and outlined the current method of collection and reporting procedures)

• clarification of ‘NI 151 Overall employment rate (working age)’ in relation to ‘closing the gap’ and how the Council was able to obtain the full picture arising from a ‘two speed city’ status

(The Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement responded and informed the meeting that there was no specific detail available on particular pockets of employment rates. However he suggested that in order to achieve the full picture and that the Job Seeker Allowance would be a better way to address this specific issue)

• the need to implement an easy reporting mechanism about employment figures which would allow interested parties to have current and accurate data on this issue
• clarification as to why there was a difference in reporting periods  i.e. either on a monthly, quarterly or annually basis

(The Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement responded and confirmed  the difference in reporting periods and the reasons for it)

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the notes of the meeting of the Performance Working Group held on 2nd September 2009 be received.

c)  That  the Chair consider and identify from the indicators provided at   today's meeting a number of indicators which the Performance   Working Group could examine in detail with a view to identifying 

  specific indicators where improvements could be made.

d)  That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to invite the Head of 

  Policy, Performance and Improvement to attend the Working Group in 

  order to assist in its deliberations.

e)  That  the Working Group consider what locally determined

  performance indictors could be applied to  measure the performance

  of City Centre Management.