Issue - items at meetings - Performance & Finance Monitor 2

This report provides details of the headline performance issues from the second performance monitor of 2009/10, covering the period from 1st April to 30th September 2009, with further up-to-date data where possible.

RESOLVED: (i) That the performance issues identified in the report be noted.

REASON: So that corrective action on these performance issues can be taken by Members and directorates.

(ii) That the financial issues identified in the report be noted, in particular:

a) The significant pressures arising due to the economic recession and social care costs that are still evident across the Council;

b) The work already undertaken within directorates to contain financial pressures;

c) That work continues to identify and implement options to meet the 1.5% savings targets required to contain spending within budget by the end of the financial year;

d) The longer term need for growth in some budgets, which will require compensating efficiencies and

REASON: So that the Council’s expenditure can be contained within budget.

(iii) That Officers be requested to ensure that future monitor reports include background information sections on service demand levels and the trends which are influencing significant items of budget performance, and that key performance information is tabulated to allow for comparison with past trends and future targets, along with relevant information on national trends and comparison with other local authorities, where appropriate.

REASON: To ensure that this key information, showing how volume increases are driving higher costs, is provided in a transparent way.

Members considered a report which provided details of the headline performance issues from the second performance monitor of 2009/10, covering the period from 1 April to 30 September 2009, with further up to date information where possible.

The report covered the Council’s service and corporate budgets, general performance against indicators at corporate and directorate level, and progress against corporate priorities. The following key points were highlighted:

Following an extensive review of activity across the organisation, the Council was forecast to out-turn on budget at the end of the current year, provided that directorates continued to identify options to achieve savings equating to 1.5% of their net budgets.
56% of National Performance Indicators (NPIs) were improving, with 62% on track to meet their 2009/10 target. 75% of LAA indicators were improving and on track to hit their 2009/10 target.
6 of the 54 milestone actions in the Corporate Strategy had been completed and over three quarters were on track to meet agreed deadlines. Slippage had been reported for 10 of the actions but half of these would still be delivered within year 1 of the Strategy.

Members expressed appreciation for the work carried out by departments to reduced the projected overspend, but indicated that future reports should include clearer information on the volumes and trends behind the increases in service costs.