To provide Cabinet with an overview of performance against the Joint Corporate Plan 2011-14 for the first seven months of 2011-12.  

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services and Education introduced the Integrated Corporate Performance quarterly  update report, which refers to performance to the end of October 2011.

The following points were made in discussion:

·         Over 54% of the indicators held were on track, with 77% showing an improvement on last year.

·         Areas identified corporately for further work include: housing adaptations, safeguarding, repeat incidents of domestic violence and adult social care transformation.

·         There was minimal disruption during the day of strike action on 30 November, with schools being affected the most.

·         Substantial work has been done on organisational change and the Rising to the Challenge programme is ensuring that changes are being kept within budget.

·         Cabinet was informed of the website changes which would provide an easier website for customers to use.

·         Employee sickness absence overall is below target.

·         Proposed changes to the schools’ music service has been in operation for one term with no gaps having been found in the provision of the service across the county.  Cabinet noted that a possible reduction in funding nationally could have some effect on service provision.

·         Affordable housing provision within the Local Development Framework was a primary consideration for Cabinet and Council land had recently been released for the development of 40 affordable housing units.

·         Cabinet was reminded of the refurbishment of the HALO Leisure Pool and the provision of a larger gym and associated facilities.

·         The Ofsted report stated that overall schools were performing well and the adoption service was good with outstanding features.

·         Cabinet was informed that 2013 would see some disruption in the city due to significant development being carried out on the Butter Market, the Broad Street redesign and the development of the Cattle Market site.

·         In discussing apprenticeships Cabinet noted that partner organisation Amey Wye Valley was looking to expand its current apprenticeship scheme from 23 to 50 in 2012 and that discussions had been held with business leaders and college principals.  Cabinet congratulated Herefordshire Group Training for their continued support of young people and their encouragement to businesses to take on apprentices.

RESOLVED That: Cabinet considered performance to the end of October 2011 and the measures being taken to address areas of under performance.