The scrutiny committee received a report of the Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications setting out the results for the key performance indicators as at the end of 2018/19. 

The Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications highlighted some of the areas within the report.  An analysis of performance trends had also been included.

The Chair said that she wished to congratulate the Head of Housing and Portfolio Holder responsible for Housing for all the work they had done and their passion for this area of work.

Following a short discussion about HR and sickness levels it was agreed that the service would be asked to come to a future meeting.  Further discussion took place when the scrutiny committee reviewed its work programme.

There was some concern about the percentage of those indicators showing a declining trend.  The Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications responded that some of the indicators were marginally below results from previous years.  It was considered the trends highlighted how the council was working as a whole.

The report was considered to be clear and easy to read.  However, it was requested that future reports should indicate those services that were provided in-house and those that were delivered by another provider.

In response to a question about setting targets, the Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications explained that the Group Head of a service set the targets in discussions with the relevant portfolio holder.  She acknowledged that the council could probably do more to challenge itself when setting targets where performance had been consistently good.

The Chair noted the results for graffiti and the other environmental cleanliness targets.  She felt this needed further review.  Further discussion would take place during the work programme item.

The Chair asked the scrutiny committee how it wished to review performance data at future meetings.  She suggested that councillors could take responsibility for a particular section of the performance report and find out more about the results.  It was agreed that the report should be circulated to the scrutiny committee as soon as practicable to enable this to take place.

The Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications advised that through Watford 2020 the council was in the process of procuring a new business intelligence partner.  This would enable the council to have real-time information about its performance.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the end of Quarter 4 2018/19 Key Performance Indicator report be noted.

2.      that the scrutiny committee continues to receive a quarterly report on the council’s key performance indicators.