Agenda item

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, which set out the Priority Based Performance Management Report for the fourth quarter of 2012/13.  The report detailed progress against service objectives/milestones and performance targets as described factors affecting the service, structured by key priorities as stated in section 3.3 of the report.

 

            It was reported that in line with the Council Performance Framework for 2012/13, the PPB had been provided with an ELS&C Priority Based Overview Report which identified the key issues that arose from performance in Quarter 4.  The priorities and common areas of focus were set out in the report as follows:

 

·         supporting growth and investment;

·         raising skill levels and reducing unemployment; and

·         enhancing resident’s quality of life.

 

Members were advised that the two departmental quarterly monitoring reports for Economy, Enterprise and Property, and Community and Environment were available via a link in the report.

 

In receiving the monitoring reports, the following questions had been submitted and responses given were detailed below:

 

1.    Item   5a page 9 – paragraph 2.1.2

What is the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) which carried out a mock OFSTED on us and when?

 

Response

 

LSIS is funded through the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) although the service would no longer be funded from 1 September 2013 due to Government cuts.  LSIS worked on behalf of BIS in supporting learning and skills providers to drive up improvements.  This was through a number of strands including training, consultancy, organisation health checks (mock inspections) and through provision of training materials.   LSIS undertook a mock inspection on the 7^th and 8^th February 2013.  The division was fortunate to have secured support from LSIS for a number years which had directly impacted on driving up quality.

 

2.    The main message that the inspection produced was contrary to the official OFSTED report on the same service (page 82).  What was the time scale between the two inspections?

 

Response

 

The Ofsted inspection was 23-26 April 2013 (2 months after the LSIS visit)

 

3.    Could the use of the word ‘Threats’ on item 2.1.2 be explained?

 

Response

 

This was from the standard template that LSIS use to pull together their reports from the visit which included a well-used method to sum up findings called a SWOT analysis, (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats).

 

4.    Could you provide the definition of the term “Changing Demands”,

 

Response

 

The funding for adult learning has changed, there was now more emphasis on accredited provision and on supporting people to gain employability skills and employment.  In the past funding had been given as a block grant, however now a large part of funding would be generated based upon outcomes.

 

5.    Has LSIS been sent a copy of the official Ofsted report?

 

Response

 

The official report was released in the public domain on 24^th May and a copy was sent to LSIS

 

6.    Page 10, 2.1.4 – is there any information on what is in the pipeline for the Halton Employment Partnership Team?

 

Response

 

The two main projects were the Highways Maintenance contract for Halton and Warrington which Tarmac had been awarded and the other was the Mersey Gateway.  The preferred bidder would be announced around the 21^st June 2013.  The HEP was the main point of referral for all recruitment and training requests that came from the project which was expanded upon in item 6D.

 

7.    Page 10, 2.1.5 – How many Governors attended the presentation about Family Learning?

 

Response

           

            4 Governors attended.

 

8.    Page 17 CE LI 6 - Could this performance measure be altered or another measure considered as its based on the number of items borrowed rather than figures of computer usage and events etc.

 

Response

           

            That’s correct the measure is not reflective of how people were using the library, however this would be given consideration in the future.

           

9.    Page 17 CE LI 7 – Would the survey be extended to include 14 & 15 year olds as they were not in the target value of 24%?

 

Response

 

It was reported that they were not in the target value.  The figure came from the Active People Survey which was a national survey that was proposing to include the views of 14 and 15 year olds.  This was not confirmed yet and when it was ready to be introduced, Members would be informed.

 

10. In quarter 3 there was a noticeable shortfall in the income targets for both EEP and CE divisions.  Has this improved in quarter 4?

 

Response

 

The income targets have improved slightly

 

Members commented on the reduction in services provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau and the need to deliver support in terms of budgeting skills and money management in light of the welfare reform.  The Board also requested further information in relation to the Work Programme Improvement and it was noted that there had been significant improvements over the last two quarters.

 

RESOLVED: That the quarterly monitoring report and comments made be noted.