Vale of Glamorgan Council
Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
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 Agenda Item No. 7

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

 

Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee: 15th March 2018

 

Report of the Managing Director

 

Target Setting for 2018/19

 

Purpose of the Report

  1. To present the proposed targets for improvement for 2018/19 for existing performance indicators aligned to Well-being Outcome 2 'An Environmentally Responsible and Prosperous Vale' priorities.

Recommendation

That the Committee reviews and endorses via recommendation to Cabinet, the proposed targets for 2018/19 aligned to Well-being Outcome 2 priorities.

Reason for the Recommendation

To ensure the Council reports a relevant set of performance indicators against which it can demonstrate achievement of its Well-being Outcomes and consistently sets challenging yet realistic performance improvement targets for those priorities in line with requirements under the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009.

Background

  1. The Council's Performance Management Framework is the mechanism through which our key priorities and targets are monitored and realised.  
  2. Following the changes to the Council's Performance Management Framework, since May 2016, each Scrutiny Committee has received performance information linked with the Council's Well-being Outcome with which that Committee is aligned, with Corporate Health priorities considered by the Corporate Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee.
  3. This report presents the proposed targets aligned with the Well-being Outcome 2 priorities as outlined in the Corporate Plan 2016-2020. Appendix 1 outlines the proposed targets for the Environment and Regeneration Committee and includes all relevant performance indicators that fit within the remit of the Committee. Targets have been set for those performance indicators that are continuing into 2018/19.
  4. Mirroring last year's approach, target setting for 2018/19 is being undertaken at quarter 3 in order to align the process with service planning. This enables targets to be considered in the context of priorities and resources as outlined in 2018/19 Service Plans.  Following sign off by the respective Sponsoring Director for each Well-being Outcome, targets are being reported directly to Scrutiny Committees for challenge and thereafter to Cabinet for ratification.  This approach to target setting and internal challenge is in line with the Wales Audit Office's Proposal for Improvement from its Corporate Assessment of the Vale of Glamorgan Council in August 2016.

Relevant Issues and Options

  1. The Council has a long standing commitment (as outlined in previous and the current Corporate Plan) to continuously improve the services it provides to citizens of the Vale of Glamorgan. However, the ongoing reductions in public sector funding will inevitably impact on the availability of resources, and in addition, external factors such as the wider economic environment, bring into question the realism of continual improvement in service performance. However, having taken account of these factors, the Council still seeks to establish challenging but realistic targets that are commensurate with the available level of resource.
  2. The Council's challenging approach to target setting emphasises this by ensuring that there is an assessment of performance trend data, our performance against previous targets and making best use of external benchmarking data (where this available). This is balanced against how much of a priority the indicator is to the Council and whether there is capacity to improve performance. All proposed targets must have an accompanying rationale that clearly explains the reasons for setting the targets at that level.
  3. Due to the timing of target setting this year, data is only available for quarter 3 for those measures reported on a quarterly basis. For those measures reported on an annual basis, proposed targets have been informed by the previous years' trend data (where available) and estimated data as at quarter 3. For some measures that were new for 2017/18 and are collected annually, there will be no data available until 31st March. As a result, services are establishing baseline performance for these measures, so it has not been possible to set a target. Targets will be set and reported to Members once end of year data becomes available.
  4. As part of the target setting process for 2018/19, a review has been undertaken of the existing Corporate Performance Measures (CPMs) aligned to the Corporate Plan Well-being Outcomes and Corporate Health priorities. The Council's Framework of Corporate Performance Measures comprises local PIs, statutory PIs and Public Accountability Measures (PAMs). This has ensured that the measures in place provide the best representation of the activities/outcomes required and that data will be available on a quarterly basis for a set of key measures for each Well-being Outcome area thus enabling a balanced assessment of performance each quarter.
  5. In addition to the CPMs, Scrutiny Committees are also being presented with proposed targets for the national Public Accountability Measures (PAMs) for 2018/19 that do not form part of our performance framework and these have been aligned to their respective Well-being Outcome areas. Whilst the Council's CPMs will collect and report on our performance in relation to our key priorities, there is limited opportunity to benchmark this information with others. The additional PAMs will enable us to continue to compare our performance in a range of services with Welsh local authorities in line with the requirements of the Local Government Measure 2009.
  6. Appendix 1 outlines the proposed targets for the Environment and Regeneration Committee. Where possible, targets have been set for those performance indicators that are continuing into 2018/19.  A number of indicator amendments and deletions are proposed for 2018/19 following the review of existing CPMs and Members are asked to endorse these. 
  7. In total there are 48 measures that are proposed for collection during 2018/19, 37 of which are existing performance measures that make up the Corporate Performance Framework, so will be carried forward from the previous year. There are 7 additional measures that do not form part of the Corporate Performance Framework, but have been aligned to their respective Well-being Outcome areas for monitoring, as they are nationally collected Public Accountability Measures (PAMs). Of these 7 PAMs, 2 are new measures that relate to fly tipping incidents. The collection and reporting of the PAM measures will enable us to continue to benchmark our performance with other local authorities.
  8. There are 3 performance measures that are proposed for deletion for 2018/19, that relate to Planning and the Council's building assets (CPM/152, CPM/003 and CPM/163) for each of these a rationale has been provided as part of the Appendix. There are also a 4 new performance measures that have been proposed for inclusion in the Corporate Performance Framework for 2018/19 that relate to Planning and Development Control.
  9. Of the 37 measures, that make up the Corporate Performance Framework it was possible to set targets for 26 Measures. For 11measures no targets have been proposed. 5 of these are identified as population level indicators (CPM/137, CPM/138, CPM/004, CPM/095 and CPM/139) where the data is sourced from a Welsh Government data set has not been disaggregated at the local authority level yet, so is not available. Therefore, it has not been possible to set a target. For the remaining 6 measures, 3 measures relate to a national Welsh Government data set where data at the local authority level is not yet available; 1 measure (CPM/230) is a biennial survey, so data is not expected until 2019; and for 1 measure (CPM/151: reduction in business mileage), no target has been set as mileage data will not be available until the end of March 2018. In relation to the additional measures, targets could be set for all 7 Public Accountability Measures. No targets have been set for the proposed 4 new CPM measures, as 2018/19 will be used to establish a baseline performance.
  10. Within the Corporate Performance Framework of the 26 measures where it was possible to set a target, 9 have been set to improve on the previous year's performance (2016/17) and 5 have been set to stay the same (in line) with the previous year's performance. For 11 measures, targets have been set to perform below the previous year. Where this is the case a rationale has been provided in the appendix. No direction of travel was applicable for 1 measure.
  11. There are 5 measures that feature within the Framework where it is possible for us to compare our target with national benchmarking data (PAMs). For 2 of these measures a target has been set above the Welsh average and in line with top quartile performance for benchmarking data for 2016/17 (PAM/010 and PAM/011). For another 2 measures a target has been set to perform better than the Welsh average data for 2016/17 (THS/012 and CPM/006). There is only 1 measure where the target being proposed is below the Welsh average for 2016/17 (PAM). This relates to CPM/017 (concessionary bus passes), due to the anticipated loss of commercial bus services that is likely to lead to a downward trend in applicants for bus passes.
  12. With regard to the additional PAMs measures, 3 targets have been set to show an improvement on the previous year's performance (2016/17) and 2 targets have been set to perform below the previous year. A direction of travel was not applicable for two new PAM measures (in relation to fly tipping incidents).  It is also possible for us compare our targets with the national benchmarking data. For 2 PAMs (PAM/030: waste reused, recycled and composted and PAM/031: waste sent to landfill) our targets have been set above both the Welsh average and top quartile performance for benchmarking data for 2016/17. In relation to 1 PAM (PAM/022: non-principle C roads in poor condition) the target has been set above the Welsh average performance for 2016/17. However, for 2 PAMs the targets being proposed are below that of the Welsh average for 2016/17. These relate to PAM020: Principle A road in poor condition and PAM/021: Principle B roads in poor condition.
  13. The consideration of these proposed performance improvement targets by Members is a key feature of the internal challenge process. Following review/endorsement by the Committee, these performance targets will be reported to Cabinet on 16th April 2018 for approval.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

  1. There are no additional budgetary implications arising from this report although failure to improve or achieve required performance in some areas may have a negative impact on external assessments of the Council and could put certain funding opportunities at risk.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

  1. None directly from this report. The Corporate Plan emphasises the Council's commitment to promoting sustainable development and our understanding of our duties under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act. The many different aspects of sustainability (environment, economy, culture and social) are covered within the Corporate Plan as well as how the Council will maximise its contribution to the Well-being Goals.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

  1. The Local Government Act 1999, the Wales Programme for Improvement and the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 require that the Council secure continuous improvement across the full range of local services for which it is responsible.
  2. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 requires the Council to set and publish Well-being Objectives by April 2017 that maximise its contribution to achieving the Well-being goals for Wales.

Crime and Disorder Implications

  1. None directly from this report. Activities to improve community safety are included in the Corporate Plan and one of the Well-being Outcomes is 'An Inclusive and Safe Vale' with a supporting objective 'providing decent homes and safe communities'. The Performance Management Framework will support the delivery of actions associated with these objectives.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

  1. None directly from this report. An Inclusive and Safe Vale' is one of the Well-being Outcomes in the Corporate Plan with a supporting objective 'reducing poverty and social exclusion'. There is also a Well-being Outcome 'An Aspirational and culturally vibrant Vale' with a supporting action 'valuing culture and diversity'. The Performance Management Framework will support the delivery of actions associated with these objectives.

Corporate/Service Objectives

  1. The Corporate Plan 2016-20 reflects the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations Act and identifies 4 Well-being Outcomes and 8 Objectives for the Council. These promote improvements in the economic, social and cultural well-being of residents in the Vale of Glamorgan which in turn will contribute to achieving the Well-being goals for Wales.
  2. The Council's Performance Management Framework supports the delivery of all of the Council's Corporate Plan Well-being Outcomes and Objectives.

Policy Framework and Budget

  1. This is a matter for Executive decision by Cabinet.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

  1. The information contained within the report is based on returns provided by service directorates to the Performance Team. An overall Council report on target setting for improvement will be considered by Cabinet on 16h April 2018. 

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

  1. Environment and Regeneration

Background Papers

None

Contact Officer

Julia Archampong, Corporate Performance Manager

Officers Consulted

Rob Thomas, Managing Director and Sponsoring Director Well-being Outcome 2

Tom Bowring, Operational Manager Performance and Policy

Huw Isaac, Head of Performance and Development

Responsible Officer:

Rob Thomas, Managing Director and Sponsoring Director Well-being Outcome 2