Report of the Chief Executive, Strategic Director, Corporate Resources and Strategic Director, Corporate Services & Governance

The Committee were provided with an update on the six-month assessment of performance and delivery for the period 1 April 2018 to 30 September 2018 in relation to the Council’s Thrive agenda.

The Council’s new strategic approach Making Gateshead a Place Where Everyone Thrives, was approved by Cabinet in March 2018 to ensure the Council continues to get the best outcomes for local people and remains a viable and sustainable organisation into the future.  As part of the Council’s performance management framework, five year targets were replaced with a single 2020 target with strategic indicators identified as either target or tracker indicators.  These targets were approved by Cabinet on 12 July 2016.

The six-month assessment of performance for 2018-19 focuses on the achievements and actions undertaken during the period 1 April 2018 – 30 September 2018.  Areas for future improvement are also identified.

Some of the key achievements over the six month period were highlighted:

·         Financial Management is on track

o   Council Tax and NNDR collections are a little bit down on last year but officers are confident that the target will be met.

o   There have been improvements in the time taken to process Housing Benefit Claims with the average time to process being 9 days.

·         Staff Sickness

o   Staff sickness has been reduced to 5.93 days per FTE

·         Employee Engagement

o   A recent employee survey where of 39% of employees responded, 73% of those agreed that the Council is a good place to work.

o   A corporate action plan is currently being developed.

The Committee were informed of the results of the residents survey “You and Your Local Area Survey 2018”.  The survey was undertaken between June and August 2018, the survey was completed by 910 Viewpoint Online members and 1137 members of the public.

·         64% of respondents were satisfied with their local area as place to live.  This is a decrease in satisfaction level in 2016 which was 75%

·         91% of respondents felt that people in their local area usually got on well together

·         28% of respondents said they regularly volunteer (at least once a month), 27% of respondents said they volunteered less often and 45% said they never volunteered

·         13% of respondents said they have head of the Council’s Thrive agenda, however, 88% indicated they were supportive of the 5 pledges

·         41% of respondents state that their personal financial circumstances are either only just coping or really struggling.  This is particularly an issue for those of working age, with fewer (30%) of those aged 65+ experiencing difficulties

·         42% of respondents are satisfied with the way the Council runs thing, which is 9% lower than in 2016.  However, this reduction in satisfaction has not resulted in a corresponding increase in dissatisfaction.  29% of respondents are dissatisfied (up1% from 2016) and a further 29% are neither satisfied or dissatisfied

·         39% of respondents are confident that the Council will provide the best possible services it can within its available budget.  A further 27% neither agree or disagree.

·         The main area of importance was Clean-streets, Parks, Crime, Schools and Anti-social Behaviour.  Potholes also came out strongly and was consistent across the Borough.

RESOLVED -        That the report be referred to Cabinet on 22 January 2019 as part of the composite report relating to the Council’s overall performance.