Agenda item

Resolved

         That Cabinet notes the progress of the delivery of the One Organisational Plan (OOP) 2020 for the period April to June 2019.

Councillor Kam Kaur (Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation), having explained that the quarterly performance reports had been split for the sake of clarity, observed that Council performance in quarter 1 had displayed a significant improvement. Referencing paragraph 2.3 on page 2 of the report Councillor Kaur stated that delayed transfers of care had been reduced, that the number of child protection plans has remained low (this being good) and the percentage of Education Health Care assessments completed by their target date has increased.

Regarding sickness levels, these were noted to have reduced albeit slowly.

Councillor Richard Chattaway (Leader of the Labour Group) expressed concern over levels of staff sickness and the slow rate at which these levels are being reduced. He called for greater scrutiny of sickness levels and the underlying reasons for them. Councillor Jerry Roodhouse (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) noted that the period of transformation that the Council is currently going through is potentially very stressful for many. This may, in part, explain the high sickness levels.

Regarding Warwickshire’s economic output (Gross Value Added - GVA), Councillor Chattaway observed that whilst this continues to be reasonable, the rate of growth has declined. He asked that Cabinet report on why this is the case and what it intends to do to address it.

Councillor Keith Kondakor noted that Fire and Rescue Service response times had been below target up to June 2019 and asked if matters had improved in July and August. In addition, Councillor Kondakor noted that an appliance from the West Midlands Fire Service had been required to attend an incident in Bedworth. In reply to this latter point Councillor Andy Crump (Portfolio Holder for Fire & Rescue and Community Safety) informed Cabinet that cross border cooperation such as that witnessed in Bedworth was not unusual.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse stated that as the population ages so the pressure for residential beds will increase. Concerning the reported performance on Education Health Care Plans, Councillor Roodhouse observed that there is little point in meeting targets if in doing some clients do not consider that they have been treated well. It is important to get the balance right on this, he added. Regarding economic output Councillor Roodhouse highlighted the statement in the report that further research is being undertaken into the matter. It was not clear when this was being done and by who.

          In response to comments regarding economic growth Councillor Peter Butlin (Deputy Leader – Finance and Policy) stated that the data may be misleading as the government has recently altered the way in which it calculates GVA. It was also recognised that the motor industry has witnessed a downturn which is having an impact on Warwickshire. Nevertheless, Warwickshire continues to perform well and is home to much innovation and investment.

          Regarding comments around levels of sickness, Cabinet was reminded that much work is being carried out to manage this through manager training and health and well-being initiatives.

Resolved

         That Cabinet notes the progress of the delivery of the One Organisational Plan (OOP) 2020 for the period April to June 2019.