To report on the performance position for the Economic and Community Services Division within the Adult and Community Services Directorate.

The Committee considered the report on Economic and Community Services Performance Monitoring.  The following areas of key consideration with regard to the Performance Indicators were highlighted by the Head of Economic and Community Services:

·            Disappointingly the target for the reduction in violent crime in Herefordshire, which stood at 2,553, was likely to be exceeded, with a projected out turn of 2,979. However a down turn in the figures was indicated in the third quarter. A number of schemes were in place to further reduce the crime rate.

·            The target percentage of users satisfied with libraries had not been met.  It had been shown that Ledbury and Hereford libraries were the poorest performing; there were plans to improve the site in both locations.  She added that in order to improve the out-turn for the target for the number of library visits per 1,000 population  a “passport” scheme had been implemented since January in order to increase usage by children and adults. 

·            Whilst the indicator for the percentage of residents engaged in volunteering work was below target, this was being addressed by an ongoing publicity campaign and investment in training opportunities for volunteer coordinators in the Voluntary Sector.  The result did reflect a national trend.

·            The indicator for the percentage of footpaths and rights of way that were easy to use by the public was no longer a national performance indicator.  However, it was likely that local indicators would be introduced.

The Vice-Chairman pointed out that the overall direction of travel of the indicators was not positive.  The Head of Economic and Community Services replied that she shared his concern that the indicators were not as positive as they could be, but added that PI’s were just one measure of how well a service was performing.

In the course of the discussion, the following principal points were noted:

·            That the County’s libraries provided an excellent service, but that there was an issue as to how the service could reach out to the young in the County.  A new approach would have to be sought.

·            In conjunction with local parish councils, consideration could be given to prioritising the County’s most popular footpaths.

·            That the current library indicators did not include mobile libraries, but that the new national indicator would.

·            The Committee noted a comment that West Mercia Constabulary might be prevailed upon to extend the hours they policed the City. A Member also pointed out that support by the Community Service Officers was not available after 10 pm.

·            The Committee noted a comment that whilst local crime statistics might not be high, there was a feeling of vulnerability in the villages, especially amongst the elderly.    The Director of Adult and Community Services stated that a strategic plan for community safety had been produced.  The point was also made that the problem had arisen as much as a result of negative reports in the national media as in the local press.  In the short term, there had been an increase in a visible police presence, as well as proactive provision of positive stories about Council initiatives to the local media. The Social and Economic Regeneration Manager added that the new three year plan was now on the website.

The Cabinet Member (Economic Development and Community Services) stated that the local crime statistics were low, and that Herefordshire was a very safe place to work and live.  Work was being undertaken in regenerating the city centre, and care should be taken that the Council should be positive in its portrayal of the County to instil confidence in future business and economic growth.  Whilst outside the Terms of Reference of the Committee, the Chairman referred to the adverse publicity that the Council had received over taxi licensing.  The Cabinet Member replied that he had had a rewarding dialogue with the drivers.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted