Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, presented a report updating on the progress against the stated missions in the Council’s Business Plan using measures of performance available at the end of the first quarter of the financial year, and risks as available at the time of the report’s production.

Cllr Clewer highlighted some areas of concern such as the length of time to undertake Education, Health, & Care Plans, due to the increase in numbers required. He also noted issues with pothole repairs, but had been assured the latest data showed the council was on track, and he would raise through the Integrated Care System concerns relating to NHS Health checks. Other issues raised including addressing demands for temporary accommodation, and in relation to the risk register the high cost of social care.

Cabinet noted the update and the details contained within the report, including an increase in the percentage of children fostered, a reduction in the percentage of 16-17 year-olds not in employment, education, or training, data on affordable housing, and educational outcomes for those with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) being above the national average.

Cllr Graham Wright, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, stated the report would be examined in detail at the next meeting of his committee.

Cllr Gordon King, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, stated that the measures and presentation of the report had improved from the first iterations, but it was still sometimes difficult to highlight which parts were significant. In his role as Vice-Chairman of Health Select Committee he shared concerns about delivery of NHS health checks, and the committee was seeking more data from the NHS.

Cllr Richard Budden welcomed the report and urged the use of external benchmarking wherever possible.

Cllr Jon Hubbard sought detail on what pressure or influence could be applied to infrastructure organisations regarding upgrade of electric charging points. The Leader noted references within the Local Plan to charging points, but the accepted the difficulty of providing on street parking charging infrastructure was an issue.

Cllr Clare Cape sought details on data relating to bus journeys, and if there was any impact relating to reduced ticket prices. Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene, and Flooding, stated it was something the council discussed with partner bus companies, and she would inquire further.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was then,

Resolved:

Cabinet agreed and noted:

1)    The updates and outturns against the measures and activities mapped against the Council’s priorities;

2)    The Strategic Risk Summary

Reason

To provide Cabinet with a quarterly update on the current corporate performance framework, which is compiled of the measures used to monitor progress against the 10 missions laid out in Wiltshire Council’s Business Plan 2022-32.

The Strategic Risk Summary captures and monitors significant risks facing the
Council, in relation to in-service risks facing individual areas and in managing its business across the authority.

This is supported by, and in compliance with, the Council’s Corporate
Performance and Risk Policy.

Note: A break was then taken from 1145-1150