To consider the Q2 Performance Reports.
2019-20 Quarter 2 Performance Monitoring Report
Strategic Risk Register Report Quarter 2 2019-20
Public Accountability Measures 2018-19 analysis
Minutes:
Documents:
· 2019/20 Quarter 2 Performance Management Report
· Strategic Risk Register Report Quarter 2 2019/20
· Public Accountability Measures 2018/19 analysis
Discussion:
· The Q2 performance report to the end of September 2019 has been approved by Cabinet
· 88% of Corporate Improvement Plan measures are on track
· There has been a decrease in performance since Q1 due mainly to Education issues. The service is now being supported via the Improvement and Assurance Board and additional resources are being discussed.
· Under performing are Children’s Services, Delayed Transfers of Care and Homelessness
· Improved performance is noted in supporting adults in their home, supporting migrants and fewer sickness absences
· The Committee noted that the number of children’s assessments had fallen from 94% to 51% despite increased funding. Detailed discussions are ongoing with the Improvement and Assurance Board and the Leader. The Corporate Director is receiving weekly updates. A new manager has been recruited and data is starting to improve. A more in-depth report should be considered by the relevant scrutiny committee.
There were two new risks on the Strategic Risk Register - The council will be unable to manage the schools budget without extra
resource and finance and this will affect every individual school in Powys
. The council will be unable to manage the schools budget without extra
resource and finance and this will affect every individual school in Powys
· Two risks have been identified and included on the Strategic Risk Register
o The council will be unable to manage the school budget without additional resources and finance and this will affect every individual school in Powys that has a deficit budget
o The council fails to make the necessary improvements in response to Estyn recommendations
· All services have moved to JCAD except for Finance and Legal and Democratic Services
· There are 11 risks associated with Brexit – plans are in place with the appropriate service leads. Members asked for greater details around these 11 risks and officers would be asked to provide this in the new year.
· In response to a question, the Head of Finance outlined what would happen if a school’s delegation was removed. The Authority would take over the financial management of the school and the Governing body would no longer take financial decisions although would continue with the day to day management of the school. An executive board could be put in place or other alternative interventions were available.
· The Head of Transformation and Communications reminded Members that data had been shared with all members regarding the schools’ position. Overall, there were sufficient funds to run Powys schools but the traditional infrastructure and the way in which money is distributed is causing issues. The need for transformational change was highlighted.
· The Portfolio Holder noted that there were significant pressures in the schools’ system which must be addressed. There was some mitigation in the current budget round to address these issues. There had been an extra £1M in each of the last three budgets for schools but this had not covered the pay and pension pressures entirely. Funding is delivered via the Funding Formula. The question remains as to how to move to a new schools’ structure whilst continuing to meet current educational needs.
· 19 of the 22 Public Accountability Measures were reported – three relating to social care date have not been broken down
· Powys County Council is ranked 5th out of 22 authorities in Wales with 69% of measures improved or maintained
· The Authority was ranked first for number of visits to sports and leisure facilities, third for working days lost due to sickness absence, and second for all repairs. However, the Authority was ranked 22nd for the number of empty units – a Voids Working Group has been established to address this issue.
Outcomes:
· The report was noted
· Further detail regarding risks associated with Brexit would be provided in the new year