Agenda item

The Strategic Programme Management Officer Manager introduced a report that provided the Committee with the latest performance information and project updates for the third quarter of the 2020/21 financial year to the end of December 2020.

As the information was for the third quarter the trends would be a good indicator of the year end position.  The cancellation of exams meant some of the education indicators were not comparable with previous years and the impacts of Covid-19 were evident in a wide range of performance indicators.  Due to the cancellation of the local elections in 2020 the manifesto reporting was for pledges from 2019.

The portfolio of major projects was reviewed and it was reported that 12 were rated ‘green’, 12 ‘amber’ and 2 ‘red’.  The Committee noted the actions being taken in relation to the ‘red’ rated projects.  In relation to manifesto reporting, 40 pledges were either ‘completed’ or ‘green’ and 3 were ‘amber’.  Performance against balanced scorecard indicators continued to be variable, largely due to the impacts of Covid-19.  There were a number of positive trends reported such as a 2.2% year-on-year improvement in the recycling rate, 56 fewer homeless households and 36 more Houses in Multiple Occupation being licenced.  However, indicators behind target included Council Tax and Business Rates Collection Rates which were 4.6% and 9.6% lower than at the same time a year ago respectively.  Unemployment remained high at 8.4% and crime levels were also relatively high during the reporting period since the easing of the first lockdown.  It was noted that reported crime levels had dropped during lockdowns but violent crime, public order offences and criminal damage remained relatively high during the year.

Members discussed the crime figures and asked what steps were being taken to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.  The role of the Safer Slough Partnership was highlighted and the Committee noted that the partnership was due to present a detailed report to the Neighbourhoods & Community Services Scrutiny Panel in April.  A further breakdown of crime figures was requested and Members wanted to carry out further scrutiny of the levels of crime and community safety and it was agreed that members of the Committee would be welcome to attend the NCS Scrutiny Panel meeting.

Concern was also expressed about the rising unemployment rate and particularly the impact on young people in the town.  Members asked what actions the Council was taking and it was responded that the Covid-19 Recovery Strategy included projects such as the Skills Hub and Innovation Space.  A number of other queries were raised during the course of the discussion about specific performance issues in the report which would require more detailed responses from service areas.  It was agreed the Committee would be provided responses to the following questions arising from the discussion:

·  Unemployment had risen quite significantly and Members expressed concerns about youth unemployment, especially as furlough would be phased out this year.  As the economy re-opened what steps was the Council taking to support and grow jobs?

·  There were concerns about sustained level of rising crime and Members felt previous reports to the committee had not provided sufficient information. A request was made for a breakdown of areas affected by crime and Members would be invited to the NCS Scrutiny Panel meeting in April which included an update from the Safer Slough Partnership.

·  In relation to HMO licensing, how were tenants and households being proactively contacted to ensure they were licenced?

·  What was being done to help children in Slough catch up on learning as a result of Covid-19? 

·  How many children had been sent home of school due to Covid-19 cases/outbreaks?

·  Why were 20% of children not getting their first preference of school?

·  What was being done to ensure the town was being made more accessible for people with disabilities?

·  Why was Manifesto Pledge 3 being shown as ‘complete’ when bus fares had not reduced and when only one pilot scheme had taken place?

·  In relation to Manifesto Pledge 11, where were the allotments on Moray Drive?

·  In relation to Manifesto Pledge 20, how many dental practices, partners and schools had been consulted with?

·  Information on the Slough Town Association of Residents should be on the Council website and Central ward councillors needed to be briefed on the engagement with members/residents on town centre regeneration.

The Committee was reminded that the report provided a high level overview of performance indicators and projects and some of the issues raised would be informative in developing the scrutiny work programmes in the new municipal year.  At the conclusion of the discussion the report was noted and Members requested the further information listed above by 8^th April 2021.

Resolved –

(a)  That the Council’s current performance as measured by the performance indicators within the balanced scorecard, the progress status of the gold projects and progress against manifesto commitments be noted.

(b)  That further information be provided to the Committee on the matters raised during the course of the discussion.