Report of the Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications

The scrutiny committee received a report of the Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications setting out the key performance indicator results for the first quarter of 2019/20.

The Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications highlighted some of the key findings from this quarter’s report.

Leisure Centres

It was noted that although the leisure centres were doing well, increasing swimming attendances was a challenge.  The Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications felt a possible reason may be due to the number of sports activities that were available.

Waste, Recycling and Street Cleansing

Members were concerned about the increase in fly posting.  The scrutiny committee was advised that Veolia would be attending a meeting later in the year and this would be raised with the officers.

Staff Indicators

The scrutiny committee was informed that one member of staff on long term sickness absence could have a significant impact on the indicator.  Also the most difficult period from sickness was approaching.  Reference was made to ‘flu jabs’ and officers agreed to check whether this facility would be offered to staff this year as it had previously.

The Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications referred to the below target response for the performance development reviews (PDRs).  This was in part due to a senior officer being off sick at an essential stage in the review process but 100% was achieved soon after the 30 June.

Councillor Martins asked if it was possible to understand reasons for sickness and whether they were for physical illness or mental health conditions.  He would like officers to provide an explanatory note in the comments section.  This was an important issue for him as the council’s mental health champion.  Officers needed to be able to say if they were off sick for mental health reasons.

The Senior Democratic Services Officer advised that she was aware the different reasons for sickness absence were collated, as it used to be circulated to senior officers.  The Senior Democratic Services Officer and Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications would find out for councillors and if an explanatory comment could be provided it would be shown in the next quarter’s report.

ICT Service

The Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications advised the scrutiny committee that the Group Head of Transformation was reviewing the ICT targets to make them more relevant.

RESOLVED –

that the key performance indicators be noted.