To provide Cabinet with an overview of performance against the Joint Corporate Plan 2010-13 for the first nine months of 2010-11.

The Cabinet Member Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources presented the report and advised Cabinet that improvements with the targets set were being made, but directorates needed to ensure that policy objectives were being met. 

The following points were noted in discussion:

• Of the targets sets two thirds were on or ahead of target. These included processing planning applications and reducing road traffic accidents.
• There were relatively few key projects behind schedule. The most common causes were continued uncertainty over funding or government policy.
• Greater emphasis was needed on assisting children to gain qualifications, both in the early years foundation stage and at key stage 1 and 2. 
• Looked after children achieving level 4 in English and Maths had exceeded target showing improvement from previous years. However, greater emphasis was needed to increase those achieving 5 or more A*-C GCSE’s Members were concerned at the number of areas repeatedly not reaching targets.  It was noted however, these were areas that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee could investigate..
• In relation to the growing number of 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training; Cabinet was reminded that under the Edgar Street Grid proposals there were proposals for a Skills Academy for young people to gain qualifications in practical skills to enable them to work in the construction industry.
• In addition, the emphasis now was towards attracting technically based industries to the county, which could provide attractive employment opportunities for young people.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet accepts the performance report to the end of December 2010 and the measures being taken to address areas of under performance.