Issue - meetings

To consider the quarterly performance report, showing indicators which have improved, declined or remained static when compared to the same period in the previous financial year.

(Report attached)

Members received the latest quarterly monitoring report setting out the Council’s performance over a range of services and against a number of measures.

The areas where the Council was performing particularly well were highlighted as were several areas of current concern. Members raised a number of matters. There was some doubt expressed as to the value in recording the numbers of British Crime Survey comparator crimes reported as these, by their very nature, failed to include any crimes that were not reported, thereby rendering the data somewhat subjective. Officers reported that there was currently a national trend of increasing levels of acquisitive crime. In response to the suggestion that decreasing the funding for the Police Service would not assist in tackling an upsurge in crime, it was noted that the West Mercia Police Force was unusual in still recruiting Officers at the present time.

There was some concern expressed that the pricing structure for performances at the Palace Theatre might preclude any improvement in visitor numbers at that facility. The relevant Portfolio Holder responded that bench-marking exercises had demonstrated that the Palace was performing better than the majority of its competitors in attracting audiences. However, he did undertake to investigate the pricing structures for shows at the Theatre and report back to Councillor Hall.

The Benefits Service was commended for continuing to achieve a reduction in the time taken to process claims from those in receipt of benefits.

RESOLVED that

the update on key performance indicators for the period ending 31st December 2011 be noted.