Decision details

The committee considered the report which provided an overview of organisational performance against the priorities and vision set out within the Council’s 2021-25 Corporate Plan during Quarter 4 2023-24.

Members noted that the overall number of apprenticeships had decreased during Q4 due to the financial pressures facing the local authority and ongoing service restructures. It was confirmed that the number of supported internships would be expanded from September 2024 from 40, to 65.

Members noted that during Q4 the Council had contracted 237 agency workers totalling £3.6m. Members queried the total number of agency staff/consultants employed over the last year and the impact this has had on the budget. Officers committed to providing a written response.

It was confirmed that there had been a gradual increase in the number of EHCPs during Q4. Members requested further detail around the cause of the increase and the direction of travel for Q1 2024-25. Members raised concerns in relation to the performance of EHCPs being completed on time and noted this had significantly reduced during Q4. Officers committed to providing a written response.

Members highlighted that the council was a member of APSE which was a large voluntary public sector benchmarking service and queried why no benchmarking had been included in the report. Members agreed that it would be helpful to have this information in future. Officers confirmed that an updated approach would be taken to future performance reports, and these would include benchmarking data where possible.

The committee thanked staff across the organisation for their hard work, and recognised the pressure that vacancies had upon them. Members were pleased to note that staff turnover had improved, and that the number of agency staff had reduced during Q4.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Policy Committee note the organisational performance for Q4 of 2023-24.