Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report on the Council’s Performance at 31st January 2009.

As part of the discussion on this item, the Chairman welcomed Chief Inspector Amanda Bott to the meeting. Members were reminded that at the previous meeting of the Board, concern had been expressed regarding the performance indicator relating to the number of domestic burglaries, which had been showing a worsening position over the last six months.

Chief Inspector Bott responded to Members’ questions and gave background information regarding the likely reasons for the increase in domestic burglaries over the past six months. It was explained that a single persistent offender could have a significant impact on the figures if they were responsible for a number of crimes within the district. This had been the position recently in Bromsgrove with such a person now being returned to custody.  In addition there had been a national increase in burglaries which was likely to be linked to the economic situation. There were also particular issues in Bromsgrove district because of its position within the motorway and road network generally which provided easy access from the surrounding conurbations.

The Chief Inspector also informed the Board of a number of initiatives and campaigns which had been introduced by the Police to reduce the numbers of burglaries and other crimes. It was stated that during the past month the indicator was again within target. The Chairman thanked Chief Inspector Bott for her attendance at the meeting.

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development answered queries from Members in relation to sickness figures. It was reported that a further performance clinic was to be held and that the figures in respect of long term sickness would be “stripped out” to enable the short term absences to be analysed separately. There was also a focus on ensuring that return to work interviews were being carried out properly and that the Sickness Policy was being uniformly and correctly applied by all managers. It was requested that comparative outturn sickness figures be obtained from the other District Councils in Worcestershire for consideration at the next meeting of the Board.    

RESOLVED:

(a)       that it be noted that 59% of performance indicators were stable or improving;

(b)       that it be noted that 80% of performance indicators which have a target were meeting their targets as at the month end and that 76% of performance indicators which have a target were predicted to meet their target at the year end;

(c)        that the performance figures for January 2009 as set out in appendix 2 to the report be noted;

(d)       that the areas of improvement as set out in section 3.4 of the report be noted; and

(e)       that the performance indicators of particular concern as set out in section 3.5 of the report be noted.